Plastic Food Container Wash: Plastic food containers get melted (microwave oops!), stained (spaghetti sauce and chili, especially if they’ve been in the freezer), and rather, shall we say, “fragrant,” as the porous material holds odors. Don’t be tempted to bleach plastic food containers. First off, they’ll smell like bleach and impart that to your food, which is neither safe nor pleasant. Secondly, being in bleach for any amount of time makes plastic containers break down and become sticky, with no way to remove the stickiness. But we know what takes out odors and is completely safe and natural, right? Baking soda!

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• 2–3 drops grapefruit seed extract, optional

Place containers and lids in a basin and cover them with baking soda. Then pour baking soda over lids and fill containers past the line of stain with straight vinegar. Let soak for at least 30 minutes. Empty the majority of the vinegar, leaving a little in the bottom to dip into. Use a clean toothbrush dipped in more baking soda and a little bit of the vinegar to really get into the pores of the plastic and rims of lids if any stains remain. Wash as usual with hot water and your containers should be stink-free and much less stained.

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