Keeping food fresh and free from any unpleasant odors is essential for storing it. Plastic and glass jars and other common food storage options are notorious for retaining scents from the food they once held. This can provide a lasting odor, which not only lowers the quality and spoilability of the food in storage but also offers a health risk.
Do you have trouble with food storage containers that retain bad odors? Or you are looking for an easy and inexpensive way to keep them fresh and odor-free? Baking soda is a great option for deodorizing food storage containers.
Here, we’ll talk about why baking soda is useful, and then provide you detailed instructions on how to use it to deodorize your food storage containers.
In this, we’ll go over how to use baking soda to deodorize food storage containers without exposing them to harmful chemicals.
And we can’t stress enough how crucial it is to deodorize food storage containers. First and foremost, it keeps the flavor and freshness of your food intact. With no residual smells to worry about, you can store a wide variety of foods without fear of contamination or altered flavor.
Furthermore, deodorizing containers aids in keeping food safe from spoilage. Food deterioration and foodborne illness can occur when bacteria and molds thrive in the odor-absorbing qualities of storage containers.
Plastic containers, in particular, tend to absorb scents even more strongly than other materials. The best way to keep your containers smelling fresh for your next round of leftovers or meal prepping is to deodorize them after each use.
The Science Behind Baking Soda’s Deodorizing Powers
Sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda, is an efficient natural deodorizer that can neutralize foul aromas in sealed food containers.
The formula eliminates odors by balancing out the pH of the air. By chemically reacting to produce carbon dioxide and water, baking soda is able to neutralize odorous substances.
Baking soda’s effectiveness stems, in part, from its capacity to soak up liquid. The main cause of bad smells in plastic food storage containers is moisture. Baking soda prevents odor-causing bacteria from flourishing by soaking up excess moisture inside a container.
Baking soda also helps get rid of odors because it has antibacterial characteristics. It makes conditions less favorable for bacterial growth, so no foul odors can develop.
Deodorize food storage containers by sprinkling a substantial amount of baking soda on their interior surfaces. Let it sit for a while so the baking soda can absorb the scents. The remaining baking soda should be removed by rinsing the container out with warm water.
Methods for Deodorizing Food Storage Containers using Baking Soda
Baking soda is an all-natural and efficient deodorizer for your food storage containers. Baking soda is not only useful in the kitchen, but it also does wonders for neutralizing foul odors. Follow these directions to deodorize your food storage containers using baking soda:
1. Fill a sink with warm soapy water and scrub down all of your food storage containers. Be careful to give them a good rinsing and pat them dry before moving on.
2. Get a little bowl or storage container and fill it with baking soda.
3. Use the baking soda by dipping a dry cloth or sponge into it and rubbing the insides of the containers lightly. Apply the coating to the inside, outside, and top of the container, as well as any other areas that have come into touch with food.
4. Give the baking soda 15 to 30 minutes to settle in the storage containers. Any leftover scents can be soaked up in this way.
5. After waiting the recommended amount of time, rinse the containers with warm water to get rid of the baking soda. Using cold water, give them one last rinse to get rid of any remaining baking soda.
6. Before using or storing the containers, step six is to ensure they are completely dry. The proliferation of germs in damp environments might result in a foul odor.
If you follow these directions, baking soda will remove odors from your containers quickly and effortlessly. This all-natural method is inexpensive and will leave your storage bins smelling great. Remember to do this every few weeks or if you detect scents returning to keep food containers smelling fresh.
Related: No More Bad Smells! Here’s How To Clear Ginger Garlic Smell From Glass Container
Additional Tips for Maintaining Freshness in Food Storage Containers
Deodorizing food storage containers with baking soda is only one method for maintaining clean, odor-free containers. Here are a few recommendations:
- Before putting anything in them, make sure the containers are spotless. This entails giving them a thorough cleaning in a tub of warm, soapy water and then drying them well.
- Be sure to keep your containers in a cool, dry area. Mold and bacteria thrive in damp environments, contributing to musty odors and even food degradation.
- Keep perishables in containers with airtight lids. Keep foods fresh and separate from one another by storing them in airtight containers.
- When storing food in the freezer, use freezer bags. You can prevent freezer burn by storing your food in freezer bags.
- Fix broken or scratched containers immediately. These flaws can be difficult to clean because they provide a breeding ground for microorganisms and unpleasant odors.
Keeping your food fresh and odor-free for longer lengths of time is possible by following these additional measures. Baking soda can be used to neutralize unpleasant odors after cleaning.
Baking soda is a simple and powerful deodorizer, therefore learning how to apply it on food storage containers is an important skill.
Conclusion
Finally, if you want to keep your food fresh and get rid of any lingering scents in your food storage containers, try adding baking soda. The procedure is straightforward, and the end result is cost-effective and harmless.
You may create a cleaner and more comfortable space to keep your food by following these steps, which will only take a few minutes of your time.
Simply sprinkle some baking soda into the jar and let it sit for a while, preferably overnight. Then, after using, wash it in warm water and let it dry completely.
While baking soda is non-toxic and all-natural, it shouldn’t be used in aluminum or metal containers because it might corrode the surface.
Baking soda isn’t the only way to keep food fresh in containers; additional methods include labeling and sealing containers, cleaning them periodically, and not storing items with strong odors together. By following these tips, you can ensure that your food stays fresh and safe to eat for longer periods.
Overall, learning how to use baking soda to deodorize food storage containers is valuable for anyone looking to keep their kitchen clean and tidy.
Whether you’re storing leftovers, meal prepping, or just trying to organize your pantry, this method is sure to come in handy time and time again.
So give it a try today and experience the benefits for yourself!