Cleaning experts from eco-cleaning product company Bio-D have shared a simple hack using bicarbonate of soda to remove stubborn oily stains from plastic containers. The method costs just 65p, far less than replacing the containers.
Tomato and oil sauces are the biggest culprits for staining containers, often leaving behind orange-tinged grease marks. Sometimes even scrubbing won't dislodge these marks, and many people think there is no option but to throw them out.
Why stains cling to plastic
Heather Nixon, sustainability manager at Bio-D, explained: "Foods with tomato-based sauces, curries and other strongly coloured dishes can often leave lingering stains on Tupperware, and this is because a lot of these foods contain naturally occurring pigments."
"When these are combined with oils and fats, they become particularly good at clinging to plastic containers, and the longer the food is left inside them, the more noticeable the discolouration can become."
The 65p remedy
To remove the stains, all you need is bicarbonate of soda. Heather said: "If normal washing up liquid and warm water haven't lifted the stain, mix a small amount of bicarbonate of soda with water to make a paste."
"Add the water gradually, as you're looking for a thick enough consistency so that it will sit on the stained area rather than running straight off."
Let the mixture set for around 20 to 30 minutes, then gently rub the paste with a soft cloth or sponge before rinsing and washing the container thoroughly.
Important tip
Heather said: "It's important not to scrub the container aggressively with an abrasive scourer, as this can scratch the plastic's surface and create small areas where food residue and odours can collect more easily."
