I have this lunch box that is huge but works really well for me. I made a mistake a few weeks ago by leaving rotten food in it over the weekend and the stench is unbearable.

This lunch box has a removable interior made of some kind of plastic so I removed it and soaked it in warm water and dish soap for 48 hours in the sink and then I scrubbed the interior with a sponge.

When I got done, it still smelled like rotten food! I also cleaned the lid which isn’t removable but made of the same material. But just used the sponge on it.

Sticking my head inside is where I smell it most, so I think it’s the removable tub.

I also tried teabags as I heard of something like this with smelly shoes, but now my lunch box smells like feet lol.

So I’m at a loss. I love this box and don’t want to trash it. It was hard finding one like it.

Anything else I can try?

Edit: thanks for the suggestions! I forgot to mention that I did put some vinegar and baking soda in last night and kept the lid closed. I’ll leave it this way until tomorrow night and see.

Thanks for the suggestions!

  • Lemonstealingwhore@lemmy.world
    6·
    6 months ago

    Cut a white onion in half and toss it in the lunchbox and close it. Put it in a plastic bag and tie it up and place it outside in the sun for 24-48hrs. I do this when I forget to dump/clean a protein shake out of my blender bottle and it ends up smelling like Satan’s asshole. It’s the only method I’ve found that pulls the stink out of the plastic reliably.

    I’m assuming the reason this works is a combination of the onion and UV rays hitting a see through plastic bottle. YMMV with a closed lunchbox. Might need to keep it open in a bag facing the sun instead if closed doesn’t work.