How to clean a lunch box

The key to cleaning lunch boxes is timely handling, sorting and cleaning, and thorough drying. There are mainly methods such as soaking in warm water, using specialized tools to scrub, using baking soda to remove oil, using white vinegar to remove odor, and drying for sterilization.

1. Soak in warm water

immediately soak the lunch box in 40-50 degree water for 10 minutes after use to soften any remaining food. Oil stains can be quickly decomposed by adding a small amount of detergent, while starch residues are more likely to fall off when exposed to warm water. Avoid using boiling water to directly rinse plastic lunch boxes, as high temperatures may cause material deformation or release harmful substances. Stainless steel lunch boxes can withstand higher water temperatures, but lunch boxes with sealing strips need to prevent the strips from aging.

2. Special tool brushing

Choose nylon long handle brush, bottle brush or sponge brush according to the structure of the lunch box. Lunch boxes with compartments should be cleaned with a fine brush to prevent scratches, while glass lunch boxes can be cleaned with a soft bristled brush to avoid scratches. Stubborn stains can be wiped with food grade nano sponge, and hard tools such as steel wire balls are prohibited. Pay attention to washing and disinfecting brushes with boiling water every week to prevent secondary bacterial contamination.

3. Baking soda for oil removal

For greasy lunch boxes, baking soda can be mixed into a paste and applied to the inner wall for 5 minutes. Baking soda's weak alkalinity can decompose animal fat and is non corrosive to stainless steel and glass materials. After cleaning, rinse repeatedly with clean water until there is no slippery feeling and avoid alkaline residue. This method is particularly suitable for cleaning lunch boxes with curry and hot pot base dye.

4. White vinegar deodorization

Mix white vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:3 and soak in a lunch box for 30 minutes to neutralize odors such as fishy and garlic. Acetic acid can dissolve protein stains and inhibit mold growth, suitable for plastic and ceramic lunch boxes. After cleaning, open the lid and ventilate for 2 hours, and the vinegar smell will naturally evaporate. Be careful not to clean aluminum lunch boxes with vinegar, as it may cause chemical reactions.

5. Drying and Sterilization

The cleaned lunch box should be folded upside down and naturally dried in a well ventilated area. Ultraviolet radiation can kill most bacteria. Lunch boxes with sealing rings need to be disassembled and dried separately to prevent water accumulation and mold growth. Lunch boxes can be placed in direct sunlight for 1 hour per week, but colored plastic lunch boxes should be avoided from fading due to exposure to sunlight. Before long-term storage, it is necessary to ensure complete dryness, and food grade desiccants can be placed to prevent moisture.

It is recommended to develop the habit of rinsing immediately after meals to avoid food residue drying up and increasing the difficulty of cleaning. Different materials of lunch boxes should be treated differently. Plastic lunch boxes can be disinfected with steam every month, while stainless steel lunch boxes are regularly treated with citric acid to remove scale. Keep dry and ventilated during storage, and use kitchen paper to separate when stacking to prevent the sealing ring from sticking. Carry portable lunch box cleaning tablets when going out to maintain the hygiene of food containers at all times.