How do I keep my tupperware from staining? Can I remove old stains?

Question

A lot of my tupperware has stains from tomato products like sauces and spaghetti. Is there something I can do to keep my bowls from staining and can I clean the old stains? Thanks.

Answer 1

Try rubbing the stained area with lemon juice and placing the bowl in strong sunlight for a couple of hours.

Answer 2

This is easy, works for those white plastic chopping boards too.  Place the stained Tupperware outside in the sunshine - may take some hours and the sunshine rays will remove the tomato based stains.

Answer 3

Awww, I hate when that happens. Tupperware has now improved their products so that we don't have to deal so much with staining!  Yay for progress!!

To remove MOST stains from your Tupperware, you can use a paste made from baking soda and water.

If the stain is set in, baking soda MAY work, but you might need to try Clorox Bleach (or a generic version).  Use it straight and undiluted!!!

Placing Tupperware on the lawn in the Sun helps.  Just be sure that noone steals it!  LOL!!

Try to remember to run your Tupperware under COLD water before placing tomato products in them.  This will help close the pores of your Tupperware.

To remove the tomato stains, wash the product in COLD water using dish detergent.

Use cold water right after the tomato product is removed.  Once the stain sets in, you may not be able to remove it at all.

You can also use a light coating of vegetable spray (like Pam) before placing tomato products in your Tupperware.

To remove odors, crumple up some newspaper and seal in the Tupperware.  Wait a couple of days and wash.

Using a charcoal briquette (the stuff you grill with) or baking soda may also work.

I hope that one of these does the trick for you.

If any of your Tupperware is damaged, you may contact me (or a Tupperware rep) for a replacement.

Sadly, staining doesn't count!!

But, broken lids, cracked bowls...

Let us know what worked for you!!

Good luck!!!!!!

~Carol Ann

Answer 4

I have LOTS of Tupperware, and all these ideas are great and I can tell you they all work.  I have used the nonstick spray trick and it does work, but it can leave the food a little oily if you aren't careful.  I get the bleach gel from the dollar store (like generic soft scrub I think) and apply it directly to the stain.  If it's a large stain, I pour some on and then smooth a thin layer of gel over the entire stain.  A large stain may take a bit of gel, but it works and it works pretty quickly.  I personally don't have time to leave things in the sun, and if I did, there are children and pets that would eat them/build with them/dig with them/hide them/etc. while they should be sitting in the sun.  The bleach gel is also really great for old stains, just let it sit a little longer.  I did get some really stained stuff at a garage sale and it took a couple of bleach gel "sessions" to completely remove the entire stain, but I was happy to do it since a weird smell accompanied the stain and disappeared when it did.  You also might consider getting some newer products for your future use with staining foods, that way you prevent future stains by hiding them before they start.  I believe several consultants have replied to your question, and I am one, too.  Any consultant will be happy to help you with ideas to remove the stains or with updating your collection.

Jeanne Camp, consultant in Oklahoma

www.my.tupperware.com/jcamp

Answer 5

My Mom was a tupperware sales person back in the day and she always said that the best way to prevent red stains in your tupperware was to store colored foods in colored containers.  I only store tomato products in orange or red.

Answer 6

If you stored a tomato based product, such as pasta, in a plastic container, chances are your Tupperware is stained. If you heated the pasta in the microwave using the same container, chances are your plasticware is stained permanantly. Washing the dishes will help, but your containers may be stained beyond repair. To avoid this, spray your bowls or containers with a no stick cooking spray before each use to keep your plastic containers from getting stained from red sauces.In addition, one should never place a tomato based product in the microwave if one is using a plastic container. Because the plastic is so pourous, the tomato gets embedded in the pores. If a container is already stained, you have to get a little creative when washing the dishes. Your first option is to fill the bowl with hot water and drop in a couple of denture tablets. Leave for a couple of hours and when you come back the stains will hopefully be removed. You can also try soaking the container in one part bleach to two parts of water. Make sure you give the bowls a thorough rinse, maybe even a run through in the microwave, before using again...

  

Answer 7

Spray Clorox kitchen cleaner in the Tupperware.  Let sit for 20 minutes.  Repeat if necessary.  Run through the dishwasher on "Sanitize" cycle.

Staining cannot be prevented, but cleaning the stains immediately will keep your Tupperware looking good.