How to Remove Oil Stains and Odors from Plastic Food Containers at Once

Plastic “absorbs” odors

Unlike glass, plastic has many tiny pores on its surface, so kimchi, curry, and fish oil can seep in. That is why odors rise up when you open the lid even after washing. The sticky film is hardened oil, and the odor comes from molecules trapped inside it. Since both have the same cause, you can tackle them together.

Step 1: Remove the sticky oil film

1. Fill the container halfway with warm water at 40-50 degrees and dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda in it. If the water is too hot, the plastic may warp, so a temperature comfortable enough to put your hand in is best.
2. Add two or three drops of dish soap, close the lid, shake for 10 seconds, then leave it for 20 minutes. The warm alkaline water helps loosen the hardened oil.
3. After 20 minutes, scrub the inner corners and lid grooves with a soft sponge, then rinse. Oil tends to remain most in the corners.

Step 2: Remove lingering odors

If the smell remains after removing the oil film, you need an absorption step. Choose one of the following three methods depending on the situation.

• Crumpled newspaper: Lightly crumple newspaper into a dry container until full, close the lid, and leave it overnight (8 hours). Fine particles in the ink absorb odors.
• Baking soda powder: Sprinkle 2-3 spoonfuls of baking soda on the bottom of the container, cover with the lid, leave for 6 hours, then shake it out and rinse.
• Rice-rinse water or vinegar water: Fill the container with water used to rinse rice and leave it for 30 minutes, or mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar into 1 cup of water, soak for 10 minutes, and rinse.

Finish: Disinfect in sunlight

Wipe moisture from the rinsed container and place it by a sunny window with the lid open for 2-3 hours. UV rays help reduce remaining odor molecules and bacteria. Containers with deep staining may also fade slightly at this stage.