While a sudsy soak can work wonders for your personal self-care routine, unfortunately the same can’t be said for some of the most stubborn stains that go down in the kitchen. From the dreaded yellow residue that inevitably presents itself on reusable containers to the brown stains left on mugs by a coffee half-forgotten, some stains just need a little more than soap and water.
But hey, there’s hope for your containers yet. Keep on scrolling for the best easy, natural ways to treat the peskiest stains encountered in your kitch.
Yellowed food storage containers
We know you’re already opting for glass and BPA-free plastic food storage containers (you are, aren’t you?) but sadly that doesn’t mean your lidded containers are immune to the sneaky spots and stubborn stains that come with reusable storage. Meal prep mavens know the annoyance of yellow-tinged containers especially well (yeah tomato sauce, we’re looking at you).
To remove unsightly stains from your plastic vessels, fill the container with a 1:1 mixture of water and white distilled vinegar. Let it soak for anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, until the stain has faded.
If that doesn’t work, dump out the vinegar and try a gentle scrub: Sprinkle it with baking soda, let it sit a few minutes, and then use a cloth to work the baking soda into the stain. The gentle abrasion should lift the stain without harming the plastic.
Coffee mug stains
The best way to remove old coffee stains without harsh chemicals or special cleaners is likely already in your pantry: baking soda. Add a sprinkle of baking soda into the mug and add just enough water to form a paste. Let it sit a few minutes and then use a dishcloth to work the paste into the stain. The light scrub should lift the stain immediately, all without damaging your favorite mug in the process.
Turmeric tinted blender.
Doubling down on anti-inflammatory turmeric in efforts to fight cold and flu season? We’ll take a wild guess that your mustard-hued blender has seen better days. Turmeric stains can be tackled with a little lemon juice and a lot of sunshine. Give your vessel a scrub down with half a lemon, then rinse and leave it out in the sun to dry for a day. The heat of the sun is known to make tough turmeric stains fade away.
Wineglass rings.
Wine glasses are especially susceptible to the tell-tale stains of a full-bodied red. Who wants to wash dishes right after sipping a glass or two, anyway? To remove the stains and sediment from your stemware, enlist two of the powerhouse hacks above: distilled vinegar and baking soda. Let the duo bubble and soak in your glass for a few minutes before scrubbing gently with a bottle brush. Follow with a rinse, then dry and enjoy!
Now pour us a glass, would you? Let’s cheers to your sparkling clean kitchenware.
