Baking soda paste beats soap for plastic odors

Soap and water won’t kill the odor; you need something that neutralizes the smell inside the plastic itself.

Plastic is slightly porous, especially after it’s been heated or scratched. Fish and broccoli leave behind oils that soap can’t fully break down. The fix: make a thick paste of baking soda and a little water, coat the inside of the container, and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. The baking soda pulls the odor compounds out. Rinse and wash normally.

If it’s really stubborn, add a second step: leave the container in direct sunlight for a day. UV light actually breaks down the molecules causing the smell. I’ve also had good luck with white vinegar — let it soak for an hour, then wash — but the vinegar smell lingers unless you rinse thoroughly.

Don’t bother with lemon juice or bleach. Lemon just covers the smell, and bleach doesn’t penetrate plastic well and leaves its own odor.

This is not where you save five minutes. Let the paste sit.