How to Clean Plastic Food Containers

Plastic food storage containers are nortorious for staining when any tomato product is stored in them. Spaghetti sauce, etc. Wash the container..then put it out in the sun for a few hours. Re-wash, and the stain should be gone or at least faded to a point that isn’t offensive.

Before putting any type to tomato based sauce or product into plastic containers, spray the container with Pam or other cooking spray.

When you wash, the stain will be cleaned away.

Pouring seltzer into a stained plastic container pulls all of the stain out. If necessary, use a brush to scrub it (old toothbrush works fine).

Seltzer is also a great way to clean stainless steel. Wash first, then pour on soft cloth, wipe down stainless steel and dry. Only way I know to clean my refrigerator.

I have many uses for Oxiclean. I put a solution of it and water in stained containers. It usually cleans them out with no scrubbing.

To get plastic containers totally grease-free, I use dawn ultra detergent in very hot water. It is the best dish washing liquid to remove all grease and oil especially from plastic containers. Make sure to insert your sponge or dishcloth into the container and twirl the container around several times with the cloth or sponge pressed tightly against the entire inside of the container….also make sure to reach the rim where the bottom of the container meets the sides otherwise grease or food residue will still be there. Rinse the item very well also in hot water so that no detergent residue remains on the plastic. Air dry (in sunlight if possible) or dry well with a clean cloth.

I use a 1/2 salt and 1/2 baking soda to clean the outside of my tupperware canisters and other plasticware. The soda cleans and the salt is the abrasive. Be sure to rinse well if you use on the inside of your plasticware.