As the school year gets underway, lunchboxes are making their daily trip back into children's bags, and with them comes a familiar headache for parents: how to properly clean containers once crumbs, sauces or greasy residue have been left inside.
A simple rinse with a bit of detergent and water is not always enough, especially for plastic containers used every day. Greasy foods can leave a thin film on the walls of a lunchbox, while certain foods, such as tomato, cheese or egg, leave behind both odor and stubborn stains.
Start cleaning as soon as it's emptied
The longer food residue sits inside a lunchbox, the harder it becomes to clean. Because of this, once children get home from school, the container should be emptied straight away and rinsed with lukewarm water to remove the larger bits of leftover food.
After that, a small amount of dish soap and hot water should be used to thoroughly clean both the inside of the container and the lid.
Don't forget the lid
One spot that often gets overlooked is the lid. The joints, grooves and sealing rubber can trap microscopic bits of food, which later cause unpleasant smells.
If the lunchbox has a removable rubber seal, it should be taken out according to the manufacturer's instructions and cleaned separately from the rest of the lid. A small brush can be especially useful for reaching difficult corners.
Tackling stubborn grease
When a lunchbox has been used for food containing oil or sauce, it can be filled with hot water and a few drops of dish soap and left to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. This softens the residue and makes it easier to remove.
For stubborn stains, a little baking soda mixed with water can be used to form a gentle paste, which is then rubbed softly onto the surface. Vigorous scrubbing is not necessary, particularly on plastic containers, since scratches can create spots where residue collects more easily in future.
Let it dry before closing
Another important step is making sure the container dries thoroughly. After rinsing the lunchbox and its lid, they should be left to dry completely before being closed or put away.
Moisture trapped inside a sealed container can contribute to the growth of microorganisms and the buildup of unpleasant odors. For the same reason, it is better to store containers with the lid loosely placed on top or kept separately, if there is space available to do so.
A small tip for odors
If a plastic lunchbox has retained a strong smell from a particular food, it can be washed as normal and then left open to air out well. If the smell persists, a little baking soda mixed with water can help remove it.
The most important thing, though, is consistency: emptying the container right after the meal, thoroughly washing every part, rinsing well and drying completely. With this small routine, school lunchboxes can stay clean and ready for the next day, without carrying over the leftovers and smells of the previous meal.
