The peculiar smell of a plastic lunch box can be harmful if it is not addressed properly. The odor may be caused by food residue, bacteria, or chemicals used in the manufacturing process. If left unchecked, the odor can penetrate the plastic and potentially affect the taste of your food.

Moreover, if the plastic lunch box is made with low-quality materials or if it is not properly cleaned and stored, the smell can become more intense and potentially harmful to your health. In some cases, the odor can contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your food, potentially leading to food poisoning.

It’s important to clean your plastic lunch box thoroughly and regularly to remove any odors and ensure that it is safe for food storage. If the smell is persistent, it may be a sign that the plastic is degraded or contaminated, and it may be time to replace the lunch box.

What should I do if the plastic bento box has a peculiar smell?

Plastic bento boxes are light, strong, and resistant to falling, and most of them can be heated directly in the microwave. Many people like to use them. However, if the plastic bento box is used for a long time, there will be a peculiar smell that cannot be washed off, which makes people depressed. At this time, you can use lemonade to remove the peculiar smell of the plastic bento box.
(1) Dry cleaning, wipe the oily plastic bento box with a paper towel, and then wash it with detergent or hot water directly.
(2) Soak in lemonade, take a slice of lemon, soak the lemon slice in boiling water, pour it into a cleaned plastic bento box and soak for about half an hour. Lemon has a bactericidal effect and has a fresh taste. Soaking the bento box with lemon water can not only clean the bento box, but also easily remove the odor.
(3) Air-dried, the plastic bento box soaked in lemon water should be drained, and then put 1-2 slices of dried lemon in the bento box with drained water, so as to remove the peculiar smell.
(4) If there is a need for sterilization, you can pour a little vinegar into the plastic bento box, heat the water and soak for about 10 minutes, and clean it to sterilize and deodorize.

Deodorizing methods for plastic bento boxes

(1) Milk deodorization method

Fill the box with whole milk, making sure that it covers the entire inside of the box.

Seal the box and let it sit for several hours or overnight.

Pour out the milk and wash the box thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Rinse the box thoroughly with water and let it air dry.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 if necessary.

Note: This method may not work for all plastic containers and is more effective when used in conjunction with other odor-eliminating methods, such as washing with vinegar and baking soda.

(2) Peel deodorization method

Fill the box with citrus peels, such as lemon, orange, or lime.

Seal the box and let it sit for several hours or overnight.

Remove the peels and wash the box thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Rinse the box thoroughly with water and let it air dry.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 if necessary.

Note: This method uses the natural odor-eliminating properties of citrus to neutralize the peculiar smell. The citrus peels can also help refresh the box with a pleasant scent.

(3) Deodorization of waste tea leaves

Fill the box with used tea leaves.

Seal the box and let it sit for several hours or overnight.

Remove the tea leaves and wash the box thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Rinse the box thoroughly with water and let it air dry.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 if necessary.

Note: This method uses the natural odor-absorbing properties of used tea leaves to neutralize the peculiar smell. The tea leaves can also help refresh the box with a pleasant scent.

(4) Soaking in salt water to remove odor
Fill a large container with water and add a generous amount of salt. Stir until the salt has dissolved.

Place the plastic bento box in the salt water and let it soak for several hours or overnight.

Remove the box from the salt water and wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Rinse the box thoroughly with water and let it air dry.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 if necessary.

Note: The salt water helps to neutralize the peculiar smell and can be more effective when used in conjunction with other odor-eliminating methods, such as washing with vinegar and baking soda.

(5) toothpaste cleaning method

Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto a cloth or sponge.

Rub the toothpaste into the surface of the plastic bento box, focusing on any areas with noticeable odors.

Wash the box thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Rinse the box thoroughly with water and let it air dry.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 if necessary.

Note: Toothpaste is not a common household cleaner, but it can be effective at removing odors due to its abrasive properties and fresh scent. It is important to choose a non-gel toothpaste and avoid using toothpaste with strong chemicals or flavors that could affect the taste of your food.