Baking soda and sunlight fix a stinky lunchbox

The fastest way to get odors out of a plastic lunch box is a baking soda paste left overnight, then a wash with dish soap.

Plastic absorbs smells because it’s porous — tomato sauce, curry, fish, whatever. You can’t just wipe it off. Baking soda neutralizes the acids that cause the smell instead of just covering them up.

Make a thick paste with baking soda and a little water, coat the inside of the box, and let it sit overnight. Rinse, wash with warm dish soap, and let it dry completely. If the smell lingers, put the box in direct sunlight for a few hours. UV light actually breaks down odor molecules, and it’s free.

Vinegar works too, but it comes with its own smell and can leave a faint vinegar taste in a lunch box. Hydrogen peroxide is stronger but can discolor some plastics. Baking soda is the safe first move. Don’t scrub hard with abrasive pads — scratches give odors more places to hide.

If you’re still smelling it after baking soda and sun, the plastic is probably cooked. Time to replace the box.

Future lunches will thank you.