Baking soda and vinegar: the lunchbox neutralizer.

A baking soda paste plus a vinegar rinse is the fastest way to get a lunchbox smelling neutral again after tuna.

Soap and water alone won’t cut it. Tuna (and other smelly foods) leave behind oils and tiny food particles that lodge into the seams and lid seals. Those keep releasing odor no matter how much you scrub. The trick is to neutralize the smell, not just wash it away.

Do this: wipe the whole inside with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution. That kills the bacteria and breaks down the smelly amines from the fish. Then sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the bottom and let it sit overnight with the lid open. In the morning, just shake out the powder and give it a quick rinse. No lingering tuna.

A few extra things that help: leave the lunchbox open in the sun for an hour, or toss in a small activated-charcoal bag if you want to be fancy. But honestly, the vinegar-and-baking-soda combo handles almost anything you throw at it.

Future you will actually look forward to leftovers.