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How do you remove tomato sauce stains from plastic food containers?

I stored some leftover pizza sauce in a Gladware plastic container and now can't get the sauce stains off it

11 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    unfortunately, you cannot. Especially if you nuked the plastic in between times.

    The plastic will always absorb the color because of its porous properties.

    I have several plastics that will forever remain looking unclean, but I assure you, they are clean.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    If you stored a tomato based product, such as pasta, in a plastic container, chances are your Tupperware is stained. If you heated the pasta in the microwave using the same container, chances are your plasticware is stained permanantly. Washing the dishes will help, but your containers may be stained beyond repair. To avoid this, spray your bowls or containers with a no stick cooking spray before each use to keep your plastic containers from getting stained from red sauces.In addition, one should never place a tomato based product in the microwave if one is using a plastic container. Because the plastic is so pourous, the tomato gets embedded in the pores. If a container is already stained, you have to get a little creative when washing the dishes. Your first option is to fill the bowl with hot water and drop in a couple of denture tablets. Leave for a couple of hours and when you come back the stains will hopefully be removed. You can also try soaking the container in one part bleach to two parts of water. Make sure you give the bowls a thorough rinse, maybe even a run through in the microwave, before using again.

  • 1 decade ago

    Cascade has a new product called Cascade Plastic Boost. It is located in the dish detergent aisle. It is intended to work in an automatic dishwasher. You add the product to your wash cycle and it removes the oily tomato based stains pretty well (sometimes not all the stains come out).

    Also there are new storage containers that are designed to repel these oil and tomato stains - they cost a couple bucks more than the regular containers but really work - these containers combined with the plastic boost and you can kiss those stains goodbye all together.

    Hope this Helps!

  • 1 decade ago

    I'd buy new. I have heard a trick though about scruching up a newspaper and placing it inside the container with the lid on. Supposed to absorb it but not sure it it depends on how long the stain has been there. Good luck!

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  • 1 decade ago

    Go to the store and in the dish detergent aisle there is a plastic cleaner (not sure of the name). I have not tried it but it is supposed to take the stain and smells out of the plastic containers.

  • mom*2
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    If the containers are microwave safe, put some vinegar in the container a place in microwave for about 20 seconds.

    Good luck!

  • 1 decade ago

    You can't really get the stain out, but you can prevent it next time. spray container with Pam or cooking spray before you put food in.

  • 1 decade ago

    Try to soak them in clorox water, I know that whitens tepperware. Good Luck Darlene

  • 1 decade ago

    Soak peroxide in it.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    good luck with that, buy new ones

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