People who prepare lunchboxes or store leftovers in plastic containers often face disappointment: after thorough washing and drying, opening the container again reveals the smells of yesterday's curry, fish, or tomato stew. Plastic is a porous material, which allows oils and food particles to adhere to the surface much more persistently than on glass or stainless steel.
However, solving this problem does not require expensive cleaning agents. The simple kitchen tricks presented are often more effective than repeated washing with detergent.
To neutralize odors from curry, garlic, and onions, it is recommended to use the baking soda soaking method. Add two tablespoons of soda to the container, fill it with warm water, and let it steep for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for strong odors. Afterward, wash and dry the container thoroughly. Baking soda helps neutralize odors rather than just masking them.
For smells of fish, tuna, and seafood, white vinegar proves highly effective. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water, pour this mixture into the container, and leave it for 15–20 minutes. Then, wash the container with regular detergent; the vinegar smell will disappear upon drying.
Another proven old kitchen trick is using sunlight. After washing, the container should be taken outside under direct sunlight for several hours. Ultraviolet rays help break down the compounds that cause unpleasant odors, especially in containers that held heavily spiced food. Sunny weather in South Africa makes this method simple and effective.
If the odor is mild, lemon is sufficient. You need to grate a cut lemon on the inside surface of the container, let the juice sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse and wash as usual. This method works well for lunchboxes containing sandwiches, salads, or lightly seasoned food.
Tomato curries and stews often present the greatest challenge to remove, as oils carry both color and odor into the plastic. In such cases, try a paste made from baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the soiled areas, leave it for 20 minutes, and then gently scrub with a soft sponge before the final wash.
There are several mistakes to avoid. Do not pour boiling water into thin plastic containers, as this can deform the plastic and complicate odor removal. It is also necessary to avoid using harsh abrasive cleaners, as scratches create additional places for food particles and odors to stick. Furthermore, do not store containers with closed lids while they are still damp, as moisture accumulation promotes odor retention.
The most common mistake is putting away the container immediately after washing. Even a small amount of trapped moisture can bring odors back into the plastic. It is important to allow both the container and the lid to dry completely in the air before closing them. A simple sequence of actions includes: rinsing the container immediately after emptying, followed by regular washing, and if an odor remains, applying the baking soda or vinegar soak. After this, the container must be left open to dry completely before storage. These extra five minutes of drying often determine whether the container will smell fresh or remind you of last week.
Persistent odors can remain in plastic dishes, which is frustrating for those who pack lunches or store leftovers. Despite thorough washing and drying, the smells of yesterday's curry, fish, or tomato stew can return when the container is opened. Plastic is a porous material, allowing oils and food particles to adhere to the surface much more stubbornly than on glass or stainless steel.
Expensive cleaning agents are not required to combat this problem; there are simple kitchen tricks that are often more effective than repeated washing with detergent.
The lid is often the main cause of the problem. Many users focus on the container itself, forgetting that odors tend to linger in the rubber seal or textured grooves around the lid. Any removable seal must be removed and washed separately in hot soapy water before applying the following methods.
This method is considered one of the most reliable ways to get rid of the smells of curry, garlic, and onion. To use it, add two tablespoons of baking soda to the container, fill it with warm water, and let it soak for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for strong odors. Afterward, the container must be thoroughly washed and dried. Baking soda helps neutralize odors, rather than just masking them.
White vinegar works particularly well against the smells of fish, tuna, and seafood. To use it, mix white vinegar and warm water in equal parts, pour the mixture into the container, and leave it for 15–20 minutes. Then, rinse the container with detergent. The vinegar smell will disappear once the container dries.
One of the oldest kitchen tricks remains one of the best. After washing, the container should be taken outside into direct sunlight for several hours. Ultraviolet rays help break down the compounds that cause odors, especially in containers that held heavily spiced food. Sunny weather in South Africa makes this option easy and effective.
If the odor is mild, a single lemon may suffice. You need to grate a cut lemon onto the inner surface of the container, let the juice sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse and wash as usual. This trick works well for lunch boxes that held sandwiches, salads, or lightly seasoned food, helping to deal with daily odors.
Tomato curries and stews are often the most difficult to remove because oils carry both color and odor into the plastic. It is recommended to make a paste from baking soda and a small amount of water. Spread this paste over the soiled areas, leave it for 20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft sponge before the final wash.
Do not pour boiling water into thin plastic containers, as this can deform the plastic and complicate odor removal. It is also advisable to avoid using harsh abrasive cleaners, as scratches create more places for food particles and odors to stick. Furthermore, do not store containers with closed lids while they are still damp, as moisture accumulation promotes odor stagnation.
The biggest mistake is putting the container away immediately after washing. Even a small amount of trapped moisture can transfer odors back into the plastic. It is important to allow both the container and the lid to dry completely in the air before closing them.
After packing a lunch or storing leftovers, it is recommended to rinse the container as soon as possible after emptying it. Then, wash it normally. If an odor persists, you can use either soaking in baking soda or a vinegar solution. Before putting it away, be sure to let it dry completely. These extra five minutes of drying often determine the difference between a fresh container and one that reminds you of last week every time you open the cupboard. For containers that have absorbed the smells of curry, fish, or garlic over the years, it might be worth reserving them only for these types of foods. However, in most cases, soaking in soda, rinsing with vinegar, and leaving them in the sun for a few hours will restore even frequently used lunch boxes to a much fresher state.
