A mum from Victoria has left social media users divided after she asked for ways to remove the hard-to-clean white stains that often appear on plastic food storage containers after several uses.

Taking her inquiry to a popular Facebook group, the mum asked for tips on how to get rid of the marks, writing: "After I washed the plastic container in the dishwasher, these white marks accumulated. I soaked in vinegar for 24 hours - did not work."

However, to her surprise, the innocent inquiry sparked a debate among group members, with many sharing their "theories" on how plastic containers develop the mystery crusty marks.

The white stains are often found on plastic containers after several uses. Credit: Facebook.​

A number of users said that heating food up in the microwave causes the marks.

One comment read: "I don't use a dishwasher and this happens to mine. It's from using in the microwave."

Meanwhile, others said that the culprit for these marks is the hot water in the dishwasher, implying that it corrodes the plastic.

One person said: "Interesting. We never heat up food in plastic containers using a microwave, but we got those white marks from dishwashing them."

"I shifted to hand scrubbing them with hot soapy water and no more issues. So I don’t believe it’s a microwave issue," another argued.

Others offered their handy tips to clean plastic containers.

One user wrote: "Sounds odd but I rub oil any kind of cooking oil into them let them sit for an hour or so then wash with by hand."

"Always rinse in cold water after use, especially tomato-based and then hot soapy wash," another advised.

A third chimed in: "Squirt dishwashing liquid in and squash two sheets of paper towel half fill with really hot water put lid on and shake shake shake! Works a treat."

"A great hack I’ve been using is to rinse the container first! Squirt dishwashing liquid in and squash two sheets of paper towel half fill with really hot water put lid on and shake shake shake! Works a treat," another suggested.

One mum also said that users of plastic containers should carefully read the care guidelines found on the labels of the packaging.

And it totally makes sense because not all plastic containers can be used for heating food inside a microwave and some shouldn’t be washed in dishwashers due to sensitivity to hot water.

How about you? Have you encountered this issue before? What did you do to get rid of the white marks? Share your tips with us in the comments below so other members of the SDC, including ourselves, can use them too!

 

[KatKop]

We only ever buy microwave-safe plastic containers and I wash by hand, but we nevertheless have a few marked items. I just live with them - life is too short to get rid of every little 'blemish' that comes your way!

 

[rehandra]

Mum divides the internet after asking for tips on how to remove “mystery” white stains on plastic containers​

A mum from Victoria has left social media users divided after she asked for ways to remove the hard-to-clean white stains that often appear on plastic food storage containers after several uses.

Taking her inquiry to a popular Facebook group, the mum asked for tips on how to get rid of the marks, writing: "After I washed the plastic container in the dishwasher, these white marks accumulated. I soaked in vinegar for 24 hours - did not work."

However, to her surprise, the innocent inquiry sparked a debate among group members, with many sharing their "theories" on how plastic containers develop the mystery crusty marks.

The white stains are often found on plastic containers after several uses. Credit: Facebook.​

A number of users said that heating food up in the microwave causes the marks.

One comment read: "I don't use a dishwasher and this happens to mine. It's from using in the microwave."

Meanwhile, others said that the culprit for these marks is the hot water in the dishwasher, implying that it corrodes the plastic.

One person said: "Interesting. We never heat up food in plastic containers using a microwave, but we got those white marks from dishwashing them."

"I shifted to hand scrubbing them with hot soapy water and no more issues. So I don’t believe it’s a microwave issue," another argued.

Others offered their handy tips to clean plastic containers.

One user wrote: "Sounds odd but I rub oil any kind of cooking oil into them let them sit for an hour or so then wash with by hand."

"Always rinse in cold water after use, especially tomato-based and then hot soapy wash," another advised.

A third chimed in: "Squirt dishwashing liquid in and squash two sheets of paper towel half fill with really hot water put lid on and shake shake shake! Works a treat."

"A great hack I’ve been using is to rinse the container first! Squirt dishwashing liquid in and squash two sheets of paper towel half fill with really hot water put lid on and shake shake shake! Works a treat," another suggested.

One mum also said that users of plastic containers should carefully read the care guidelines found on the labels of the packaging.

And it totally makes sense because not all plastic containers can be used for heating food inside a microwave and some shouldn’t be washed in dishwashers due to sensitivity to hot water.

How about you? Have you encountered this issue before? What did you do to get rid of the white marks? Share your tips with us in the comments below so other members of the SDC, including ourselves, can use them too!

I have never encountered this issue but I do not have a dishwasher and I never use in the microwave (even though it says you can). I always use glass

 

[Slatts]

Mum divides the internet after asking for tips on how to remove “mystery” white stains on plastic containers​

A mum from Victoria has left social media users divided after she asked for ways to remove the hard-to-clean white stains that often appear on plastic food storage containers after several uses.

Taking her inquiry to a popular Facebook group, the mum asked for tips on how to get rid of the marks, writing: "After I washed the plastic container in the dishwasher, these white marks accumulated. I soaked in vinegar for 24 hours - did not work."

However, to her surprise, the innocent inquiry sparked a debate among group members, with many sharing their "theories" on how plastic containers develop the mystery crusty marks.

The white stains are often found on plastic containers after several uses. Credit: Facebook.​

A number of users said that heating food up in the microwave causes the marks.

One comment read: "I don't use a dishwasher and this happens to mine. It's from using in the microwave."

Meanwhile, others said that the culprit for these marks is the hot water in the dishwasher, implying that it corrodes the plastic.

One person said: "Interesting. We never heat up food in plastic containers using a microwave, but we got those white marks from dishwashing them."

"I shifted to hand scrubbing them with hot soapy water and no more issues. So I don’t believe it’s a microwave issue," another argued.

Others offered their handy tips to clean plastic containers.

One user wrote: "Sounds odd but I rub oil any kind of cooking oil into them let them sit for an hour or so then wash with by hand."

"Always rinse in cold water after use, especially tomato-based and then hot soapy wash," another advised.

A third chimed in: "Squirt dishwashing liquid in and squash two sheets of paper towel half fill with really hot water put lid on and shake shake shake! Works a treat."

"A great hack I’ve been using is to rinse the container first! Squirt dishwashing liquid in and squash two sheets of paper towel half fill with really hot water put lid on and shake shake shake! Works a treat," another suggested.

One mum also said that users of plastic containers should carefully read the care guidelines found on the labels of the packaging.

And it totally makes sense because not all plastic containers can be used for heating food inside a microwave and some shouldn’t be washed in dishwashers due to sensitivity to hot water.

How about you? Have you encountered this issue before? What did you do to get rid of the white marks? Share your tips with us in the comments below so other members of the SDC, including ourselves, can use them too!

Microwave burns, hot spots ? ……Use them until you dont feel comfortable with using them then dump em .

 

[chezna]

Never use anything plastic in microwave..

 

[Groovy]

I just use glass containers!!!
Since we are talking about marks by washing in the dishwasher, can anyone tell me, please, why my glasses are all losing the bright sparkling look? They all look cloudy
Any clues?? Thank you

 

[Ricci]

I just use glass containers!!!
Since we are talking about marks by washing in the dishwasher, can anyone tell me, please, why my glasses are all losing the bright sparkling look? They all look cloudy
Any clues?? Thank you

I never wash my glasses in the dishwasher after seeing the opaqueness it gave to my pyrex bowls and containers. The dishwashing tablets are harsh enough to minutely scratch the glass. I have recently had to ditch some tupperware due to the white marks on them. I also notice that some of my stainless steel teaspoons have swirly scratches on them.

 

[Groovy]

I never wash my glasses in the dishwasher after seeing the opaqueness it gave to my pyrex bowls and containers. The dishwashing tablets are harsh enough to minutely scratch the glass. I have recently had to ditch some tupperware due to the white marks on them. I also notice that some of my stainless steel teaspoons have swirly scratches on them.

Thanks Ricci. Interesting that none of my Pyrex bowls or containers get opaque. Maybe my glasses aren’t of good quality

 

[leanneh]

I mostly use glass containers but the plastic ones I do use I always hand wash. Never in the dishwasher and of course there are only a few brands of plastic ware that are designed to be used in the microwave. Be careful using just any plastic containers in the microwave because they can give off noxious gases and oils. If I have anything tomato based in plastic I rinse it carefully in cold water, rub with cooking oil to remove the stain and then hand wash in hot soapy water.