Plastic food containers stained by tomato-based sauces and oils can be cleaned using a simple paste made from bicarbonate of soda, which costs just 65p. The method was shared by experts from eco-cleaning product company Bio-D.
Tomato-based sauces and oils are particularly notorious for marking containers, frequently leaving behind stubborn orange-tinted grease marks. On occasion, even vigorous scrubbing fails to shift these blemishes, leading many to believe the only solution is to discard the containers altogether.
Why Foods Stain Plastic Containers
Heather Nixon, sustainability manager at Bio-D, explains: "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."
How to Make and Apply the Cleaning Paste
The solution requires nothing more than 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."
Rinsing and Avoiding Scratches
Allow the mixture to rest for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Once it has sat, you can then gently work the paste into the surface using a soft cloth or sponge, before rinsing and washing the container thoroughly.
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."
