Tomato / Oil on Plastic

How to Remove Tomato Sauce Stains from Plastic Containers

Tupperware turned orange? Don't throw it out. The sun is your friend.

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Required Supplies

  • Lemon
  • Dish Soap
  • Sugar
  • Ice Cubes

The Logic Verdict

My Take: The video author notes: “How to remove tomato sauce from plastic with white vinegar. Here are the easy steps you can take to remove tomato stains from your plastic items.” In my experience, you should start by following the visual inspection steps shown in the video.

The Fix: The “Lemon & Sun” Method

  1. Lemon Juice: Rub the inside of the container with a cut lemon or lemon juice.
  2. Solar Bleach: Set the container outside in direct sunlight for 2-4 hours. The UV rays break down the lycopene pigment.
  3. Wash: Wash normally with dish soap.

The “Sugar Shake” Method (For Greasy Residue)

  1. Add 1 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of dish soap, and a few ice cubes.
  2. Shake vigorously for 1 minute. The sugar acts as an abrasive to scrub the pores of the plastic without scratching it.

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