How to Remove Stains from Plastic

Here are a few simple ways on how to remove stains from plastic, and since plastic is handy, it is still widely used for storing and serving food today. So at some point in its life, it will become stained.

To keep your plastic containers, and even other plastic items like drinking glasses, mixing bowls, colanders, spoons, spatulas and even plastic laminate stain free, apply these techniques to remove stains from plastic.

Removing Stains From Plastic With Rubbing Alcohol

This can be used to clean coffee stains, tea stains, tomato sauce and tomato paste stains, juice and soda stains and stains caused by any other type of food dyes.

A lot of times the stains will leave if you rinse the item immediately after using it, or by washing it with water and detergent, but if the stain doesn't leave, then pour the alcohol into the container and let it sit for a few minutes. If the item isn't a container, then pour the alcohol into something that can hold whatever needs to be soaked. When the item or container is stain free, wash it, rinse it thoroughly and dry.

Cleaning Stains From Plastic Using Chlorine Bleach

Cleaning stains from plastic can also be done by using chlorine bleach. Bleach can be used to remove ink, juice stains, soda stains, coffee stains, tea stains, tomato sauce and tomato paste stains, and all other types of food dyes.

Make a solution of water and bleach. Let the containers and other plastic items soak in the solution for only 1 or 2 hours. After the stain is gone, wash the containers thoroughly, rinse and dry.

How To Clean Plastic Using White Vinegar

This is the same as using chlorine bleach. In fact you can use the same measurements for the vinegar and water solution. If you have concerns about using bleach in your containers. It's perfectly understandable. Vinegar is great! Follow the same directions that was used for the chlorine beach technique. Vinegar is also great at removing hard water stains.

Remove Stains From Plastics With A Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda can also remove all of the above stains that have been mentioned or any oily stains. Just make a baking soda paste with water and apply it to the stained container. Let the container sit for a while, then clean the container with a moist cloth. Wash, rinse and dry.

Removing Stains From Plastic Using Denture Tablets

Since denture tablets are so good at removing stains from dentures, try them with your plastic containers and other plastic items. Put 2 tablets into some hot water and pour into the container. Let the container sit until stain is gone.

Cleaning Stains From Plastic With Lemon

Just rub the plastic container or item with lemon juice and leave it in the sun for 1 or 2 days. Combination of the lemon and the sun will remove stains.

How To Clean Stains Using Salt

Use a damp cloth, warm water and salt to rub the stain in the container. Repeat this process if stains still remain.

Remove Stains From Plastic With Dawn Power Dissolver

Dawn Power Dissolver is designed to remove stains, so try it with your plastic items. Just soak your plastic containers and other plastic items in warm water and Dawn for at least 30 minutes to an 1 hour. If the stain is gone, rinse and dry.

Removing Stains From Plastic Using Cascade - Plastic Booster

Simply running your plastic ware through the dishwasher with Cascade Plastic Booster will remove stains and will help your plastic ware last much longer.

Cleaning Stains From Plastic With Hand Sanitizer

Use hand sanitizer to clean your plastic wear. Squirt some into the container, rub, wash, rinse and dry.

How To Remove Stains From Plastic Using Alka Seltzer

This is the same as denture tablets. Put 2 tablets and warm water in the container and let it sit for 1 or 2 hours before washing. If the stain didn't come out, let it sit over night.

If you still insist on using plastic containers and other plastic items, then try some of the cleaning methods above to remove stains from plastic. Remember however, that plastic is very porous, and will soak up whatever is put on it, so you may have a concern about using bleach to clean them. If you do use bleach, make sure it is diluted with water.

Another note I would like to make about removing stains from plastic is that, you cannot remove tomato stains from plastic ware that has been micro-waved. The heat from the temperature of the oven has literally baked the stain into the plastic, so that it is now part of the plastic.

The best thing to do about this is to not put anything with tomato sauce or tomato paste in your plastic containers, live with the results of the stains, or not use plastic. I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful.

Resources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4723898_remove-stains-plastic-storage-containers.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf448211.tip.html