Transform Your Food Storage Containers with These Cleaning Tips

Erase Stubborn Residue

As soon as you finish enjoying the contents of a food storage container, it's essential to act quickly. Empty the container and rinse it with warm water along with a drop of dish soap. This helps to soften any left-behind sauce and grease. If you have a dishwasher, place the container upside down on the top rack and slide the lid vertically between the tines. If not, take a moment to wash the pieces directly in the sink. For containers that have already become discolored, such as the plastic number that held your Bolognese dinner and is now serving as lunch, spray the area with Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray. This spray contains strong solvents that can attack tough stains. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse. If the stains persist, mix 2 teaspoons of bleach per gallon of warm water. Drop the container into the solution and let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes. After that, scrub with dish soap and a brush. In a last-ditch effort, place the container on a windowsill in direct sunlight. The rays may help to brighten the stains.

Imagine the satisfaction of seeing a once-tinted container regain its original clarity. It's these small steps that can make a big difference in the longevity of your food storage containers.

Banish Lingering Odors

Those spicy string beans might have been delicious last week, but who wants to smell them today? To eliminate odors from plastic containers, which are more porous than glass containers, start by giving them a quick rinse. Then, apply a DIY paste made of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 cup of water. Let this paste sit for a few hours and then wash the container with dish soap and water. For stinky silicone containers or gaskets, place them in the oven. Ensure they are oven-safe and clean and dry them first. Heat your oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the offending items for 20 minutes. Voila! They will come out smelling fresh and clean.

Eliminating odors from your food storage containers is not only a hygienic measure but also enhances the overall experience of using them.

Clear Up Cloudy Film

If your once-clear food storage containers now look a bit opaque, there are two possible culprits. Firstly, hard water can deposit minerals. In such cases, try adding a rinse aid to your dishwasher. Finish Jet-Dry Hard Water Rinse Aid is a great choice as it is formulated to remove residue caused by hard water and can help reduce spots on dry dishes. Secondly, baked-on grease and oil can also cause cloudiness. Once again, using Dawn Powerwash or the baking soda paste can be effective in removing this buildup.

Restoring the clarity of your food storage containers is a simple process that can make a world of difference in their appearance and functionality.

Clean Out Fuzzy Mold

Forgot about that turkey sandwich? Wipe out as much of the contaminated food and mold as possible with a paper towel. Do not use your sponge as spores can easily transfer. After that, clean the container and lid as usual. To be extra thorough, let them soak in a bleach-and-water solution for 30 minutes. Use a straw-cleaning brush to get into the lid grooves. After the bath, clean everything with soap and water to remove any remaining bleach. Moving forward, keep your containers in the front of the fridge to ensure they are used in a first-in, first-out manner. After all, it's a shame to waste a good turkey sandwich!

Taking these steps to clean out fuzzy mold from your food storage containers is crucial for maintaining a healthy and hygienic kitchen environment.