Drying is the real cleaning step

The best way to clean a lunch box with removable dividers is to take it completely apart and let every piece air dry fully before you put it back together.

Washing is the easy part. Pop out the dividers, wash everything in hot soapy water, and pay attention to the little channels where the dividers seat into the base — that’s where old food collects. If it’s dishwasher safe, the dishwasher actually does a better job because it blasts water into the crevices. Just check the bottom for the symbol first.

The step everyone skips is drying, and that’s what really prevents mold. Mold needs moisture. If you towel-dry, snap the dividers back in, and close the lid, you’ve just trapped dampness in the dark — basically a mold incubator. Leave it disassembled with the lid open for a few hours, or overnight. In a hurry? Pat everything dry and leave it on the counter, lid off.

If you’re already dealing with a smell, wash with a vinegar or baking soda solution before the regular wash. And if you’re storing the box long-term, keep the lid cracked so air can move.

A dry lunch box is a mold-free lunch box.