Stop scrubbing mesh pockets — vacuum them first.

To clean a lunch box with tricky crevices and mesh pockets, start by vacuuming or blowing out the dry crumbs, then soak and scrub with a soft brush.

The reason most lunch boxes get gross is that people attack them wet first. Crumbs in mesh turn into paste, and paste gets into every seam. So hit it with a handheld vacuum or a can of compressed air before any soap gets involved. If you don’t have either, turn the box upside down and shake hard, then use a dry toothbrush to knock crumbs loose.

After that, fill the sink with warm water and a squirt of dish soap, and let the whole thing soak for 10–15 minutes. Then go after the crevices with an old toothbrush or a bottle brush. For mold spots, wipe with a 50/50 water and white vinegar mix, or a very dilute bleach solution if it’s really bad — just test an inconspicuous spot first. Rinse everything thoroughly and let it dry completely with the lid open, because moisture is what grows mold.

Skip the dishwasher unless the manufacturer explicitly says it’s safe. The heat can warp the plastic and never really gets inside mesh pockets. The vacuum-first method takes two extra minutes and actually works.

Your lunch box should only ever contain food, not a science experiment.