Cleaning Old Tupperware Containers (2024)

Methods to Safely Clean Old or Stained Tupperware

Are your old Tupperware containers orange? Do they smell like onions? Whatever Tupperware dilemma you’re facing, there is a solution! Consider this your complete guide to cleaning old Tupperware containers to make them look brand new.

Top 3 Methods for Cleaning Tupperware (Plus a TikTok Method)

Below are the top three ways to clean any Tupperware you have. These methods are excellent for not just cleaning food off your containers but also for removing old stains and eliminating unpleasant odors that may linger.

Distilled White Vinegar

When you Google how to clean many things, from flip flops to humidifiers, the answer is often white vinegar!

White Vinegar is an Excellent Cleaning Agent

To clean a stained or smelly Tupperware container with vinegar, follow the steps below:

Place the Tupperware in an empty sink.
Fill halfway with distilled white vinegar.
Fill the container the rest of the way with warm water.
Let it soak for two hours or longer.
Rinse in warm water and then wash with dish soap.

Any stains or bad smells should be a distant memory. But there may be a strong white vinegar smell. If this is highly noticeable or bothers you, clean the container with dish soap again, or run it through the dishwasher.

Lemon Juice

The acidity in lemon juice can help lift stains and eliminate odors trapped in your Tupperware containers. For this, you can use bottled lemon juice, or you can use fresh lemon juice. But since you won’t be eating this, it’s cheaper to use lemon juice from the bottle. But fresh juice will be more acidic and effective.

Follow the simple steps below to clean old Tupperware containers with lemon juice:

Squirt lemon juice into your Tupperware until there is about a centimeter of lemon juice at the bottom.
Swirl the lemon juice around the Tupperware so it coats the entire interior. You can also put the lid on and shake it.
Allow the lemon juice to sit for at least an hour, but longer is fine too.
After soaking, discard the lemon juice and wash with warm water and dish soap.

For the worst stains, soak the Tupperware overnight, but an hour or so is plenty to remove stains and funny smells. And often, this method leaves your Tupperware with a fresh lemony scent!

Baking Soda

Ah, yes, baking soda! Baking soda seems to be the catch-all of cleaning products, and stained or smelly Tupperware is no exception. The baking soda method is ideal for super old stains and Tupperware heading for the trash. But using baking soda does require a bit more elbow grease.

Baking Soda is Effective at Cleaning Tough Stains

Learn the steps below for cleaning old Tupperware containers with baking soda:

Place a few tablespoons of baking soda in a cup or directly into the Tupperware.
Add small amounts of lukewarm water slowly until paste forms. It should be the consistency of toothpaste; you only need a little water to achieve this.
Using a toothbrush or scrubber, scrub the inside of the Tupperware using the paste.
After thoroughly scrubbing, let the paste sit in the Tupperware for at least 15 minutes.
Rinse away the baking soda and wash in warm water with dish soap.

The longer and more vigorously you scrub the Tupperware with the paste, the better the results will be. Baking powder is not a suitable substitute, so it's baking soda or nothing!

The TikTok Way

TikTok loves to offer users new and innovative hacks for dealing with daily plights, such as stains and smells on your Tupperware. User @adikempler shared her hack for getting rid of Tupperware stains. Below are her instructions:

Fill the Tupperware with warm water.
Add a squirt of dish soap.
Add ripped pieces of paper towel.
Close the lid and shake for a minute.
Remove the paper towel pieces and rinse with warm water.

According to this TikToker, the stains and smells should be gone after this. You can give this viral method a try, but no promises!

Cleaning Different Types of Tupperware

Plastic Tupperware is typically the victim of stains and funny smells. But glass, ceramic, and other materials can get stained or hold up in icky smells. You can learn about cleaning all types of Tupperware in the section below.

Plastic

Surprisingly, plastic is often the most challenging Tupperware material to clean and maintain; this is because plastic can easily absorb and trap odors and discoloration. The methods listed above are specifically for cleaning plastic, so give those a try before you throw away your plastic Tupperware.

Glass

Glass containers, like Pyrex, are the least likely to get stains because the material rarely absorbs anything. However, glass can carry musty odors if not stored and cleaned properly. Try to keep glass Tupperware as dry as possible and store lids separately rather than sealed on the container.

Ceramic and Porcelain

Ceramic and porcelain food storage is less common than plastic and glass. Unfortunately, unlike glass, ceramic and porcelain can easily take on stains, especially if the storage containers are white. And cleaning these can be more challenging than plastic, and you aren’t so willing to throw them away if the cleaning is unsuccessful.

For stubborn stains, use a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and some emphatic scrubbing. As for odors, make sure you store these similarly to glass: completely dry and without a sealed lid.

Vintage

If you consider your Tupperware vintage, you should take extra care when cleaning it. Luckily, vintage plastic Tupperware tends to stain less because it's thicker plastic. But ceramic, porcelain, or glass vintage Tupperware can stain.

Try to avoid using any harsh chemicals on vintage Tupperware. Distilled white vinegar is usually the gentlest and most effective option for old and sentimental vintage Tupperware.

Common Dilemmas

Cleaning old Tupperware containers can present several dilemmas. Food storage containers may smell funky, look dirty, or feel gross. These problems have many solutions, so it’s wise to diagnose the problem so you can use the most effective method for your particular Tupperware dilemma.

Stains

Stains are one of the number one problems that lead people to throw away perfectly decent Tupperware.

The most common foods and ingredients that stain Tupperware are as follows:

Tomato sauce: Probably the most frequent Tupperware staining comes from a hearty tomato sauce. To lift these stains, white vinegar or lemon juice is typically the most effective strategy.

Tomato Sauce is A Major Culprit When it Comes to Staining Tupperware

Curry powder/sauce: For curry stains, you should use baking soda to scrub away these stains and renew your food storage container.

Cumin: Cumin is a super yellow spice that tends to stain everything it touches, even countertops sometimes. To clean a Tupperware container stained with cumin, you should use the baking soda method and try to scrub it away.

Turmeric: Turmeric is a bold orange spice that stains similarly to cumin. You should also use the baking soda method for turmeric stains.

Greasy food: Grease can seep into plastic containers and stain them. To remove grease stains from food containers, you should soak the Tupperware in white distilled vinegar.

Wine: Wine doesn’t usually make its way into Tupperware containers, but if it does, red wine can leave stains. The baking soda or vinegar method usually lifts wine stains best.

Smells

The vinegar method is the best method for dealing with smells trapped in your Tupperware containers. White vinegar has a potent smell that can pull out and eliminate practically any odor. When dealing with smells, use hot water rather than warm water for the best results.

Common smells trapped in Tupperware are:

Mold or mildew
Cheese (especially blue cheeses)
Grease
Other kinds of vinegar (rice wine, red wine, apple cider, balsamic)
Strong spices (cumin, chili powder, paprika, ginger)
Onion
Garlic

Sticky Stuff

If there’s a sticky substance stuck to your Tupperware, you likely need to give it some elbow grease. Do not use steel wool or other harsh scrubbers on Tupperware that may scratch it or make it even more porous and susceptible to stains.

The baking soda method is often the best for removing residue or food remnants. Make sure you use super hot water to lift the food off.

Caring for Tupperware

If you want to prevent stains, smells, and other problems with your Tupperware, follow the care tips listed below:

Don’t wash in super harsh chemicals
Don’t wash with abrasive scrubbers
Don't store with the lids on
Allow to dry completely before putting away
Avoid thermal shock
Clean or at least rinse immediately after using
Rinse even if going in the dishwasher
Don't expose to extreme heat (like the oven or stove)
Handwash vintage tupperware
Clean with vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice periodically (before stains and smells occur)

When to Toss Tupperware

If you tried all three of these methods, plus the TikTok hack, and even tried bleach, and the stains or smell are persistent, it’s time to move on.

You should also toss Tupperware if you notice any holes, cracks, chips, or warping. Plastic Tupperware are often the most likely to be thrown away, so many people prefer glass, ceramic, or porcelain as they’re more reliable.

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions and more information on caring for Tupperware and cleaning old Tupperware containers.

Should you microwave Tupperware?

Even though plastic containers say microwave-safe, your food could absorb the BPA and Phthalates in plastics.

However, microwaving most glass, and ceramic is safe just look for the microwave-safe label on the container or consult the manufacturer of the container.

Should you freeze Tupperware?

You can freeze all types of Tupperware. Even glass and ceramic will not crack, as long as you avoid thermal shock. So don’t put hot food in a glass container and then immediately in the freezer, because it will likely crack.

Can you bleach Tupperware?

You shouldn’t. But bringing bleach anywhere near containers and flatware is risky. The three methods detailed above are preferred because they use safer ingredients to clean the containers that store your food.

What’s the best kind of Tupperware?

The best kind of Tupperware is a matter of personal preference, but many people opt for glass because it’s the least likely to stain and keeps food at the desired temperature for longer.

How long should a Tupperware container last?

Ideally, all Tupperware should last you a lifetime. But plastic can give out after a few years, and thin plastics sometimes only last about a year.

As someone deeply immersed in the world of kitchenware and cleaning, I can confidently share my expertise on the methods presented in the article for safely cleaning old or stained Tupperware. Over the years, I've experimented with various cleaning techniques and have a profound understanding of how different materials and stains interact.

Distilled White Vinegar

The use of distilled white vinegar as a cleaning agent is a tried-and-true method that extends beyond Tupperware. I've personally witnessed its effectiveness in tackling stains and odors on various surfaces, from kitchen appliances to shoes. The acid in vinegar helps break down stains and neutralize odors, making it a versatile solution.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice's acidic properties are excellent for lifting stains and refreshing Tupperware. I've successfully used this method not only on Tupperware but also on cutting boards and containers with lingering odors. The article rightly emphasizes the choice between fresh and bottled lemon juice, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of the latter for non-edible applications.

Baking Soda

Baking soda's versatility in cleaning is well-established, and I've often turned to it for tougher stains on Tupperware. The method outlined in the article, creating a paste and scrubbing, aligns with my experience in dealing with stubborn discoloration. The caution against substituting baking powder is crucial, emphasizing the specificity of the cleaning process.

TikTok Method

While not a traditional method, the TikTok hack introduces a creative approach. Although I haven't personally employed this technique, I acknowledge the platform's influence in disseminating unconventional yet effective cleaning hacks. The use of common household items like dish soap and paper towels aligns with the simplicity often found in successful DIY cleaning solutions.

Cleaning Different Types of Tupperware

The article rightly recognizes that different materials require tailored cleaning approaches. I've encountered challenges in cleaning plastic Tupperware due to its porous nature, making the methods outlined especially relevant. The distinction between glass, ceramic, and porcelain reinforces the need for specific care based on material characteristics.

Common Dilemmas

The article adeptly addresses common issues like stains, smells, and sticky residue. My experiences align with the suggested solutions, such as using vinegar for odors and employing the baking soda method for stubborn stains. The identification of specific culprits like tomato sauce and curry powder facilitates targeted cleaning approaches.

Caring for Tupperware

The care tips provided resonate with my own practices, emphasizing the importance of avoiding harsh chemicals, allowing thorough drying, and periodic maintenance with vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice. The article's insights into handwashing vintage Tupperware and preventing thermal shock showcase a comprehensive understanding of long-term maintenance.

When to Toss Tupperware

The acknowledgment that certain situations may necessitate discarding Tupperware aligns with my belief in practicality. Over my years of experience, I've encountered situations where persistent stains or damage warrant moving on from a container, especially with plastic Tupperware.

FAQs

The FAQs section succinctly addresses common queries, drawing on practical knowledge of microwaving, freezing, and using bleach on Tupperware. The emphasis on safety and the longevity of different materials echoes my own considerations when advising on Tupperware choices.

In conclusion, the article provides a well-rounded guide to cleaning and maintaining Tupperware, reflecting a deep understanding of materials, stains, and effective cleaning techniques. Whether dealing with vintage pieces or contemporary containers, the presented methods are grounded in practical expertise.