A quick soapy rinse is all a new cooler needs

A brand new cooler just needs a mild dish soap scrub and a thorough rinse — no bleach, no vinegar, no fancy cleaners.

New coolers come with factory dust, loose plastic residue, and sometimes a faint chemical smell. You’re not sanitizing a biohazard; you’re washing a Tupperware that happens to be really good at keeping things cold. Warm water, a few drops of dish soap, and a soft sponge are enough. Scrub the walls, floor, and lid, then rinse until the water runs clear.

If the plastic smell lingers after drying, wipe it down with a solution of a couple tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of warm water, let it sit for ten minutes, and rinse again. Avoid bleach, heavy deg