DIY Cleaning Methods for Food storage containers

Lemon Juice and Salt Scrub for Food Storage Containers

• Gather your supplies: You’ll need fresh lemon juice (bottled works in a pinch), table salt, a soft sponge or cloth, and your food storage containers. This method is especially handy for plastic containers that have picked up stains or odors from leftovers.

 

• Sprinkle salt inside the container: Use enough to lightly cover the stained or smelly areas. Salt acts as a gentle abrasive, which means it helps physically scrub away residue without scratching most plastics or glass.

 

• Add lemon juice: Squeeze enough lemon juice over the salt to make a gritty paste. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can help break down some food stains and odors. If you’re using a whole lemon, you can even use the cut side as a scrubber.

 

• Scrub gently: Use your sponge, cloth, or the lemon half to work the salt and juice mixture around the inside of the container. Pay extra attention to corners and any stubborn spots. The combination of salt’s texture and lemon’s acidity helps loosen stuck-on food and lingering smells.

 

• Let it sit: For tough stains or odors, let the mixture sit in the container for 5–10 minutes before scrubbing again. This gives the citric acid a little more time to work on the residue.

 

• Rinse thoroughly: Wash the container with warm water and a mild dish soap to remove all traces of salt and lemon. Make sure no gritty bits are left behind, especially in corners or around the lid seal.

 

• Dry completely: Air dry the container upside down on a rack or towel. This helps prevent any lingering moisture, which can lead to musty smells.

 

• Extra tip: If your container still smells a bit off, repeat the process or try leaving it open in a sunny spot for a few hours. Sunlight can help air out stubborn odors.

White Vinegar and Hot Water Soak for Food Storage Containers: A Straightforward Guide

• Gather your supplies: You’ll need plain white vinegar (the kind you cook with), hot water (not boiling, but as hot as your tap can safely provide), and your food storage containers—lids included. Make sure containers are empty and free of any leftover food bits.

 

• Mix your solution: In a clean sink or large basin, combine equal parts white vinegar and hot water. For example, if you’re soaking several containers, use about 4 cups of each. The goal is to fully submerge the containers and lids.

 

• Soak the containers: Place your containers and lids in the solution. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This helps loosen stuck-on residue and can help with lingering odors. If you’re dealing with especially stubborn stains or smells, you can let them soak for up to an hour.

 

• Scrub if needed: After soaking, use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to gently scrub the inside and outside of each container. Pay extra attention to corners and grooves where grime likes to hide. If you see cloudy spots or stains, a little extra elbow grease here can help.

 

• Rinse thoroughly: Rinse each container and lid under warm running water to remove any vinegar smell and loosened residue. Make sure no vinegar remains, especially in grooves or seals.

 

• Dry completely: Air-dry the containers and lids upside down on a clean towel or drying rack. This helps prevent moisture from getting trapped, which can lead to musty smells.

 

• Extra tip: For containers with strong odors (like tomato sauce or onion), you can sprinkle a little baking soda inside after the vinegar soak, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again. This can help with persistent smells.

What’s Happening Here?

• White vinegar is a diluted acetic acid, which means it’s good at loosening mineral deposits, food residue, and some stains. It also helps with odors, but it won’t remove every type of stain or smell.

 

• Hot water helps soften stuck-on gunk and makes the vinegar more effective at breaking down residue.