Plastic containers labeled as safe for the microwave are not always as heatproof as consumers are led to believe. These items sometimes develop rough areas, especially around the inner edges where food boils and bubbles. The material cannot withstand the heat. When the surface is no longer smooth, these areas readily absorb stains, especially those left behind by tomato-based foods.
Even plastic that has not been subjected to microwave-temperature foods can become too stained to use. They look dirty, and no one wants to eat out of containers that do not appear to be clean – even if they are sanitized. Use these easy ways to remove stains from plastic containers instead of tossing them into the trash. They marks will come out!
Precautionary Statement
Do not combine dishwasher detergent or bleach with any other products. It can result in potentially harmful or deadly fumes. Always follow product labels for warnings and usage instructions.
Try Dishwasher Detergent to Remove Stains on Plastic
If plastic containers are labeled as dishwasher safe, wash them in the dishwasher to get rid of the discoloration. Keep in mind that top-rack washing is most often recommended for plastic containers. However, if they cannot be washed in a dishwasher, automatic dishwashing detergent can still be used.
Detergent designed for use in a dishwasher can remove all types of stains, even on plastic, and it does not have to be used in a dishwasher to work. The ingredients seem to magically dissolve stuck-on foods from stainless steel, glass, and more, and it will remove particularly stubborn stains on plastic – if they have not completely permeated the material.
When looking for easy ways to remove stains from plastic food containers, add about a teaspoon of liquid or powdered detergent along with hot water. Stir it around until it partially dissolves, and allow the plastic containers to soak for about twenty minutes. Wash everything as usual. The disgusting stains should be gone.
Use a Weak Bleach and Water Solution in Containers
Dishwasher detergent is great to keep on hand, even without a dishwasher, but bleach also works to remove many difficult stains on solid objects. When trying to remove stains from plastic containers, fill them with a 50/50 mixture of bleach and hot water. Allow the plastic containers to soak for about thirty minutes. Wash the containers as usual, and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of bleach. Hopefully the stains on the plastic will have disappeared, and in any case the containers will be sanitized and ready to use.