4 of Your Biggest Tupperware Problems, Solved
Here’s how to fix up those old containers — and when to toss them for good.
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Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to start meal prepping (again). Maybe it's just time to declutter your kitchen. Either way, if you've got a stack of old, stained food storage containers piling up in your cabinets, now's a great time to give them a little TLC or treat yourself to a new set.
Here's how to address four of your most common container problems — and how to know when you should cut your losses.
Stains and Odors
We like to stash a box of baking soda in the back of the fridge to keep food odors at bay. The same idea works for cleaning food storage containers, too.
Mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a paste, then apply it to your containers and let sit for 24 hours. When you wipe it clean, any lingering garlic smells or chili stains should come out.
Cracks and Scratches
If your containers are cracked, it’s time to replace them. Deep scratches and cracks in plastic food storage containers indicate that the material is breaking down, allowing bacteria to get in and chemicals to leach out.
“Cracks can affect the container’s ability to protect food properly and may increase the risk of material breakdown over time, particularly when exposed to heat," a Tupperware spokesperson tells Food Network. "Generally, visible damage is a good indicator that it’s time to retire a container and replace it with one that performs as intended.”
Another tip for making your containers last? Don’t overheat them.
“Improper microwave reheating is one of the most common causes of container wear and breakdown,” Tupperware says. “Only microwave products that are specifically labeled microwave-safe, follow recommended reheating guidelines, and avoid overheating food.”
However, if you’ve got damaged name-brand Tupperware, you might be in luck. The company offers a lifetime guarantee for most of its products, so you can request a voucher to replace your worn containers.
Aesthetics
You don't have to compromise form for function. Nowadays, there are some pretty options on the market that get the job done. Companies like Caraway prioritize aesthetics in their container designs.
Plastic
Worried about storing food in plastic containers? There are some great glass options out there, too. Glass is durable, withstands hot and cold temperatures and, as a bonus, it looks a little nicer than most plastic containers.
Tupperware recently launched its first glass line, but we've also tested (and loved) these sets from Pyrex and OXO.
Shop These Glass Containers
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