How To Get Stains Out Of Tupperware [3 Easy Methods]

If you store a lot of tomato sauce or curry, then you’ve probably seen a few Tupperware stains in your day. Although these plastic containers are crazy convenient, they have a nasty tendency for picking up stains. Thankfully, we’ve done a ton of research to find the best DIY cleaning hacks so you could show those stains who’s boss.

Here are three of the easiest and most effective ways to remove Tupperware stains for good: 

• Make a paste with baking soda and water, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash after about 15 minutes.
• Squirt fresh lemon juice on your Tupperware, let it sit for about one hour, then rinse with warm water and soap.
• Pour a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water in your Tupperware, let it sit for at least two hours, and wash with soapy water.

Please don’t feel stressed the next time you spot a tint on your Tupperware. With all of the tips listed below, you’ll know what to do to keep your Tupperware containers clear.

How Do You Clean Discolored Tupperware?

Since you’re reading a post on Tupperware stains, it’s safe to assume you’ve got some sorry looking containers in your cupboard. Don’t worry; all of the cleaning tips below are tough on even the peskiest stains.

How Do You Clean Tupperware With Baking Soda?

When it comes to cleaning Tupperware, baking soda is your best buddy. All you have to do is coat the bottom of your container with a layer of baking soda and add enough warm water to make a paste. Use a clean toothbrush to scrub the baking soda into the most challenging stains and let it sit for 15 minutes. Lastly, wash your baking soda paste and inspect for any remaining spots.

You could also try mixing a layer of baking soda with a few tablespoons of ">white vinegar for a deeper clean. As these two chemicals fizz, pop the lid on your Tupperware and give your container a few good shakes. After a few minutes, wash out this mixture and check for stains.

By the way, you could also use baking soda to get rid of stinky odors. Pour a quarter cup of baking soda in your container, pop on the lid, and let it sit overnight. On the next morning, throw away the baking soda and enjoy your terrific-smelling Tupperware.

Since baking soda is such a kitchen staple, you might want to consider buying in bulk online.

Click this Amazon link for more info.

Can You Bleach Old Tupperware?

Yes, you can use bleach to clean old Tupperware containers. However, since bleach is exceptionally potent, you should reserve this chemical for extreme stains that don’t respond to baking soda, lemon juice, or white vinegar.

A simple way to clean with bleach is to fill your Tupperware with warm water and pour in one to two teaspoons of bleach. You could let this mix sit for anywhere between one to 12 hours before you pour it out. Whenever you’re ready, wash your Tupperware thoroughly with water and dishwashing detergent. If possible, let your Tupperware dry in direct sunlight before storing it.

How Do You Get Spaghetti Sauce Stains Out Of Tupperware?

Tomato sauce is notorious for leaving bright stains in plastic Tupperware. There are, however, plenty of ways you could get rid of these unsightly stains in a snap.

First off, we suggest making a baking soda paste with water and scrubbing with a toothbrush. You could also try mixing baking soda with white vinegar and giving your container a few good shakes. Both of these methods usually clear away tomato stains in only 15 minutes.

If baking soda isn’t doing the trick, then consider plopping a denture cleaner in your tomato-stained Tupperware. As crazy as it sounds, many people swear by using warm water and Efferdent on tough Tupperware stains.

Click this Amazon link for more details.

While we’re all thinking about spaghetti, it’s worth mentioning KitchenSeer recently published a blog examining the cost of homemade vs. store-bought pasta. Anyone who loves cooking Italian food can’t afford to miss this post.

How Do I Remove Curry Stains In Tupperware?

Along with spaghetti sauce, curry is one of the most challenging stains to get off of Tupperware. This is especially true if you have a heavy hand with the stain-prone spice turmeric!

In most cases, you can get curry stains off if you follow the baking soda tips listed above. If that’s not working for you, then you should fill your Tupperware with water and a few teaspoons of bleach, let it sit overnight, and rinse in the morning.

Pro tip: some home chefs have great success scrubbing curry stains with Mr. Clean’s magic eraser.

Click this Amazon link for more info.

How Do You Whiten Old Yellowed Tupperware?

Over time, Tupperware containers can develop an icky film with a yellowish tinge. To combat this yucky stain, we recommend making a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and warm water. Place this vinegar mix inside your Tupperware and let it sit for at least two hours. Afterward, rinse your container with soapy water and inspect for yellow marks.

Nowadays, you could easily order a tub of white vinegar online.

Check out this Amazon link for more details.

If you’re still dealing with yellowed Tupperware, try squeezing lemons over the offending stain. Let the lemon juice sit on the yellow marks for at least one hour before washing it off with warm water.

When Cleaning Just Isn’t Enough – Tupperware “End Of Life” Issues

Although all the cleaning tips above can work wonders on stains, please remember plastic Tupperware products have a lifespan. In this final section, we’ll share a few suggestions on what to do with Tupperware that’s no longer fit for food.

Can I Exchange My Old Tupperware?

All Tupperware products have a limited lifetime warranty, which means you might be able to exchange them for new items. However, there are many stipulations you have to keep in mind before asking for a replacement.

For instance, any of the following scenarios don’t qualify for an exchange:

• Damage from cleaning Tupperware in the dishwasher.
• Signs of abuse or misuse.
• The use of aerosol cooking sprays.
• Evidence of harsh cleaning like the use of steel wool, bleach, or scouring pads.

For complete info on Tupperware’s exchange policy, please follow this official link. You could also speak with a Tupperware representative at (800) 887-7379.

Should You Throw Away Old Tupperware?

One of the downsides of using plastic containers is they have a shorter shelf-life than glass products. If your Tupperware shows signs of damage or severe warping, it might be time to throw them away.

However, there are many ways you could still get some use out of older Tupperware containers. For instance, a few thrifty folks use old Tupperware containers to organize nuts and bolts in their garage.

By the way, many Tupperware containers are approved for recycling. Check the bottom of your container for the numbers 1 or 2. Most recycling facilities accept these two plastics.

If you have specific questions about whether your Tupperware model is acceptable for recycling, you could always give the company a call at (800) 887-7379. You could also reach out to your municipality’s recycling facility for any further questions.

Are Glass Containers Less Stain-Prone Versus Plastic Tupperware?

If you’re getting rid of a few plastic Tupperware, you might be wondering whether to upgrade to glass. Although glass containers are a bit pricier than plastics, they have a few distinct advantages worthy of consideration.

Most significantly, glass containers are far less stain-prone versus plastic ones. Plus, since glass containers don’t warp in the dishwasher, they are far easier to clean than their plastic counterparts.

On the flip side, glass containers weigh more than plastic ones, making them a tad cumbersome to transport to the office. Also, since glass containers are quite fragile, they aren’t the best choice for clumsy kids (or adults for that matter!).

Now that glass containers are becoming increasingly popular; there are plenty of different sizes and styles to choose from online.

Find out more info on this Amazon link.

If you’d like to learn more about the pros and cons of plastic versus glass containers, then you’ve got to check out this previous KitchenSeer post.

Need More Tupperware Tips? Stick With KitchenSeer!

Now that you have sparkly clean Tupperware containers, it’s time to figure out how to store them in your kitchen. Luckily for you, KitchenSeer has an interesting post examining the pros and cons of keeping Tupperware with the lids on. Please click this link to find our full report on this topic.