How To Rid Rubbermaid Containers of Detergent Odor?

[frigilux]

I'm shaking my tin cup for help, kids. I decided to radically scale back my detergent stash, and have been using up all the odds 'n' sods that I have been storing in Rubbermaid containers.

Dilemma: I have 5 or 6 like-new containers to potentially use for food storage, but I can't seem to get the perfume of detergent out of them, despite 5 or 6 trips through the dishwasher. I don't relish making a batch of, say, marinara sauce, only have it taste of Ariel, Persil, Viva or Ace.

Ideas? Suggestions? Or am I fighting a losing battle?

 

[cehalstead]

try this to get rid of the odor

mix up a solution of baking soda and hot water and let it soak overnight in the "smelly" containers.

 

[whirlcool]

Or use baking soda and vinegar that has been warmed up before dumping in the container. Add the vinegar first, then the baking soda to start the action.

 

[frigilux]

Thanks, guys; I'll give each method a try. I really do hope they can be salvaged. Apparently, highly-scented detergents are a gift that keeps on giving when it comes to Rubbermaid containers, LOL!

 

[tomturbomatic]

This is why I won't use any of the lemon or orange or whatever scented detergents in the dishwasher. My Rubbermaid quart sports bottles would add an awful off taste to my iced tea. I used hot water and some Clorox, just long enough to shake the solution a bit, drained and rinsed and they were fine. This is going to sound bigoted, but until so many people came here who think things need to have a heavy floral stink to seem clean, you could easily find household products without heavy perfume.

 

[whirlcool]

For future reference to all those who may be interested could you let us know what method worked best for you?

 

[frigilux]

I certainly will do that, whirlcool; I have 5 or 6 containers to experiment with.

 

[DADoES]

Place some crumpled newspaper in the container, put the lid on and leave it to "soak" for a day. Repeat if needed, and/or try placing it in the sun with the newspaper for a few hours.

 

[frigilux]

Glenn, that sounds like an intriguing solution to my dilemma. I'll definitely give it a try!

 

[whirlcool]

I have heard of and used Glenn's suggestion before on some Tupperware that had a strong onion odor in it. It took three or four days, but it did work perfectly. Use just black print papers as they are most absorbent.

 

[gansky1]

I had a Rubbermaid canister that I kept some Ariel detergent in for a while. I didn't spend a lot of time on the thing, but determined that the smell was permanent and tossed it into the recycle bin. I'll be interested to hear how your experiments work out...

 

[frigilux]

I tried Glenn's suggestion of stuffing newspaper into two of the Rubbermaid containers. Five days later, I'm sorry to report that the containers still reek of Mexican detergent. The newspaper, however, also reeks of detergent, so it must have done some absorbing.

On to experiment #2: Baking soda and water.

 

[frigilux]

Part Two In The Ongoing Saga Of Ridding Rubbermaid Of Detergent Odor:
>hot tap water
> 2/3 of a box of baking soda in large container; 1/3 in small container.

I'll allow them to soak for 24 hours and post the results. 'Cuz I know you guys are all about the results.

Addendum: I've come to believe Glenn's newspaper trick (from the above post) wasn't a complete failure. This is a particularly tough assignment and it did seem to weaken the scent, somewhat. Hopefully this soda bath finishes the job. If not, it's on to heated vinegar and baking soda. Photos of any Brady-esque eruptions will be posted, of course.

 

[DADoES]

The newspaper trick (I ran across it long ago, but did a 'net search to confirm the details before posting it) does advise that more than one "treatment" may be needed. I have a Rubbermaid container used a couple years ago for Ariel storage, haven't used it for anything else since. I checked it a couple mins ago, still has a scent. Am trying the newspaper treatment, see what happens in a couple days.