How to Remove Stains from Tupperware containers

Tupperware food storage containers are in great demand for space optimization, heating food in micro oven, popular food grade characteristics and saves lot of space in the refrigerator. Indian cooking involves lot of spices, aromas, colors and mainly oil. There are some delicacies like curries, pickles and sweets that require a layer of oil/ ghee in it to taste better.

When containers are used to store such preparations it stains the container and lid. Commonly observed is with tomato sauces, tomato chutney. Even lunch boxes that store tamarind rice or tomato rice stains the container.

You have a good collection of Tupperware food storage containers and if few of them are stained due to storage you will not be able to use them confidently. Sometimes you feel like disposing them after several scrubs and repeated washing.

Here is some great news for the home makers. Go through the easy ways to get rid of the stains and restore your Tupperware food storage containers back to normalcy.

Easy ways to remove stains from Tupperware: Soak in automatic dish washing detergent

This is the primary method adapted by most homemakers. The Tupperware containers with tough stains are soaked in dish washing detergent. Add 2 tspns of the dish washing detergent to 1 litre of luke warm water and soak the Tupperware container in it. Reduce the water as per the size of the stained container. Let it remain for 2 to 3 hours and you get best results.

Easy ways to remove stains from Tupperware: Use the sun

Sun is a powerful natural resource and you can take full benefit by placing the stained Tupperware containers in broad sunlight for drying. Let the containers remain in direct sunlight for about 6 hours and then wash the container with dish washing liquid. The stain will be gone or at least get faded considerably.

Easy ways to remove stains from Tupperware: Baking soda and salt

Another method practiced by few homemakers with superior results is one of the simplest stain removal techniques. Mix some baking soda and salt and wash your Tupperware food containers just as you would with regular dish washing detergent. The baking soda cleans the stains while the salt acts as an abrasive. After the scrubbing is complete, wash the containers out with normal dish washing detergent and you’re done.

Easy ways to remove stains from Tupperware: Use bleach

This is one method that achieves double results with one process. Fill your sink with warm water about halfway, and then add about a half cup of bleach. Submerge the stained containers and let soak for an hour. This is a great way to get your kitchen sink clean as well. Both your Tupperware container and your kitchen sink will be sparkling clean.

Easy ways to prevent staining

As the old proverb goes…Prevention is better than cure. Follow this little trick to help keep your Tupperware container stain-free.  Before you transfer the food into Tupperware food container, you need to simply spray the inside of the container with some cooking spray. This will help keep the food from sticking and staining the Tupperware. When you go to wash the container, the food will be easily washed away without staining.

Cooking sprays can be sprayed during cooking to minimize consumption of oil and calories. Cooking sprays are available in Indian market too.

Try some of these techniques next time you have stained Tupperware that you need cleaned. If you know of any other methods please mention in the comments.

Also read: How to remove white marks or hard water stains from Bathroom buckets

HOW TO REMOVE WHITE MARKS OR HARD WATER STAINS FROM BATHROOM BUCKETS

Plastic containers are ideal for storage in kitchen and in the refrigerator. The only issue is they leave an unpleasant smell and color too. The latest edition of storage plastic containers are a must have accessory in your kitchen.

If you have supply of hard water for cleaning purposes and in your bathrooms you will observe white patches or stains on plastic buckets and mugs . With water evaporation being high in summer the scales are formed in circular rings as per water level in the storage containers. You can determine the amount of water evaporation in a day.

It is annoying to see your new buckets having white rings inside. The soap and dish washing liquid is not removing the patches completely. You may observe stains on plastic containers in which you had stored chicken dishes, oily curries.  You want to use the plastic container for storing another juice or chutney. All your efforts are in vain.

Here are a few tips to ease your tension away.

• Mix ¼ cup of baking soda in little hot water to form a paste. Apply baking soda paste with an old toothbrush brush to the hard water stains and patches on the bucket and mug. Leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse the bucket and mug with water until all bubbles are washed away and you will be surprised to see your bucket looking new and clean.
• You can clean tough stains in plastic storage containers by filling warm water and add 1 spoon of baking soda to it. Leave it for an hour and later drain off water. Rinse the container with water and the plastic container is free of stains and odor too.

• White and opaque plastic containers used for storing drinking water looks dull and smells different after a few months of usage. You can refresh the look of containers by mixing lemon juice with baking soda and applying liberally to the stained surface. The two ingredients when combined acts as a natural bleaching agent, whitening the plastic and removing unpleasant odors.

• Plastic containers used for storage of pickles, oils leaves a strong smell even after washing and drying in the sun. Here is a wonderful remedy to get rid of the stain and aged smells. Mix vinegar and baking soda and you will observe foaming action. Nothing to worry, after the foaming stops scrub the solution all over the inner surface of the container and then rinse the container. You will observe the plastic container is looking fresh and smelling good too.
• Tea stains on plastic containers are tough to get away. Immerse the container in water with ¼ tsp of baking soda. Leave the container for 1 hour and after an hour you will be amazed to see a bright new storage container in your home.
• You can remove foul smell, oil smell from plastic ware by mixing equal quantities of baking soda and salt. Use a damp nylon scrub to clean the surface. Apply the paste thoroughly over the plastic container. Leave for an hour or two and then wash the plastic container thoroughly. The tough stains are cleaned and you will also get rid of the pungent odors.

You will observe the hard water deposits settling on the surfaces due to water evaporation.  You can clean wash basins, toilet sinks also with baking soda.

Note: Recycle your old toothbrushes for cleaning hard to reach areas. The crevices of utensils, tiles ends mesh type surfaces. The bristles of the brush will be able to pick out the waste and clean thoroughly.

There are numerous benefits of Baking soda. Grab it when you are out purchasing items for your home.

HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM CLOTHES

Stains on clothes is a disaster for many. We take a long time to choose clothes of our choice and when they accidentally are stained you get upset. The first thought that comes to your mind is to dispose the clothing. You can give a try to the home remedies that are tried and tested to remove common stains that occur on clothes during our day to day proceedings. You will be relieved of the stain and you can wear your loved clothes again.

Ink stains

Ink stains are the most stubborn among stains and a common feature with people of all ages. Now with the revolutionary ball point pens without cap, common practice is to write and place the pen into the pocket. After an hour or so, ink leakage is felt by the individual and realizes that the shirt has got ink stains.

• To remove ink stains from clothes use a nail polish remover on the stained area.
• Rub the area with a cotton bud soaked in eau de cologne (perfume with 70 to 90% ethanol , citrus oil mixed with many other scents and essential oils)
• Wet a sponge with milk and rub the ink stain

Blood stains:

Blood stains occur when you cut yourself, nose bleeding due to external heat or whatsoever reasons. Primarily soak the cloth in cold water and salt for 1 hour and wash with cold water and soap.

• To remove spots of blood from clothing, use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide  available at any medical store. Soak the stain with the peroxide, use your fingernail or the blade of a butter knife to help loosen and scrape away the blood, then rinse it away with more hydrogen peroxide.

• For removing blood , wet the stained area of the fabric with water, sprinkle it with plain table salt, rub one half of the stain against the other to work in the salt and loosen the stain, then immediately launder the garment .
• Another method blot the stain with cold water or soak it in a cold water bath. you’ll want to remove the stain completely before drying, ironing or applying any type of heat to the stain which will just cause it to set in permanently.
• Vinegar works wonders with blood stained clothing .Apply the vinegar directly to the stain and blot. When the stain is removed, blot again with a damp cloth to remove the smell. Launder as usual.
• Mix one part baking soda with two parts water and blot the stain until it lifts. Blot again with a damp sponge to remove the baking soda. Launder as usual.

Paan (Betel leaf) stains:

You may have got betel leaf stains on your favorite shirt and are really worried how to get rid off the stain . Do not worry.

• Soaking the affected area of clothing in curd or lime juice for 2 hours . You will observe that the fade has vanished.

Oil stains

You attend a wedding or puja ceremony and observe small oil droplets on your garments. You may observe oil stains on your pillows too. You need not worry, follow this two way approach

• If fresh the oil stains can be dusted with talcum powder or wheat flour.  This will absorb the oil.  Leave for some time dust off and wash immediately with soap and water. You are sure to observe no patches and the garment is back to normalcy.
• Oil and ghee stains can be removed from clothes by washing in hot water to which washing soda has been added.
• Apply shampoo on the stains and you will be surprised to see that the fabric is clean.

Mud stains

When you go out in the rain your clothes are sure to get wet and high chance for your clothes to get mud stains. Soak the cloth in cold water to remove all the slush and mud on the clothes.  

• Mud stains on clothes can be removed with water of boiled potatoes.

Tea or Coffee stains

• Wash the stained part immediately and then dip the stained area in glycerin over night. Wash with soap and water next day.
• Fresh tea stains can be removed if sponged with cold water immediately. Fresh coffee stains can be removed by washing with soap and water. Drying in the sun often removes old stains.
• To remove tea stains from clothing or table linens, submerge the stained area for several minutes in a small bowl containing heavily sugared water (keep adding sugar in ½ cup of water as much as it can saturate), then launder as usual.

Sweat stains

Perspiration will be more during summer. To remove these stains from clothes apply a little ammonia and place the dress in sunlight. Soda water is excellent for removing white stains. Pour soda water over the stains and wash.

Collar stains

To remove dirty stains from shirt collars and cuffs, dip them in cold water for an hour, and scrub with sugar.

Pour a little shampoo onto the collar, inexpensive one also will do. Rub the collar together to work the shampoo in well, and rinse thoroughly. Then launder as usual.

Turmeric stains

You may have used turmeric as a face pack and have turmeric stains on clothes. Turmeric stains can be removed by rubbing a dry detergent bar soap over it and leave it for an hour before washing it off.

Hair dye stains

This has become a common stain in every household. People apply hair dye and there are high chances of spills over clothes. Clothes stained with hair dye should be cleaned with a piece of raw onion before being washed.

Henna stains

People apply henna on hair for coloring or henna designs are applied on hands and legs as part of ceremonies and weddings. Here are tips to remove henna stains from clothes. Soak the stained portion in hot milk for half-an-hour. Then rinse in cold water and clean with a brush.