The Unexpected Item That Gets Stinky Smells Out Of Food Containers

Smelly food containers, eh? Not the ones hiding in the depths of the refrigerator with their mischievous expired leftovers. No, no. We're dealing with a different kind of offender here — those supposedly "clean" containers straight out of the dishwasher or hand-washed. These plastic gems have a knack for retaining quite the aroma, both subtle and, in some cases, overpowering. But before you condemn those pungent stink bombs to the trash, this unexpected item can save the day, and it might just be sitting on your front porch now: a newspaper.

Even plastic containers that seem pristine can still emit quite a stench. This is due to the porous nature of plastic, which allows odor molecules to linger. Merely masking the scent will not suffice; you need a solution that can genuinely absorb and neutralize it. Fortunately, the carbon compound found in the newsprint ink acts as an exceptional odor sponge. So, skip the harsh cleaning agents and turn to a black-and-white printed newspaper to banish those stinky smells from your food containers. Here's the step-by-step process to follow.

The power of the paper

To eradicate the foul smell, you need just one essential item in your arsenal: a newspaper. You will want to opt for the traditional black-and-white pages and skip the colorful ones for this task. Take a page of the paper, crumple it up, and nestle it inside the smelly tub. For the ultimate deodorizing effect, be sure to seal the container with its lid. Allow the paper's powerful properties to perform their magic overnight.

Ta-da! The carbon in the newspaper's ink works wonders to absorb those unsavory odors from your food storage containers. Simply remove and dispose of the paper the next day, and proceed to wash the container as you usually do. The final result? Your plastic container will emerge fresh, devoid of any scent, and as good as new. So, before tossing that malodorous container to the side, consider reaching for a trusty newspaper instead.