Stuck with plastic containers that reek of onions?

We've all been there! Those onion smells can stick around forever, turning your favorite food storage containers into something you'd rather toss in the trash.

But before you give up on them, give this quick guide a read.

In this post, I'll show you 7 tried-and-true ways to get onion smell out of plastic.

#1 Baking Soda

Baking soda is the best at getting rid of smells in plastic containers.

Plus, it’s a super budget-friendly option!

Here's what you do: just sprinkle a good amount of baking soda all over the inside of your container. Make sure you cover every bit of it. If you can, close up the container and let it sit overnight. That gives the baking soda plenty of time to do its thing.

The baking soda works by attracting and neutralizing those smelly molecules.

Got a bigger plastic item? No problem. Mix some baking soda with a little water to make a paste, then rub it all over the surface. This works great for containers that really hold onto smells.

After you've let it sit, just wash it out with warm, soapy water and you're good to go.

Also Read: How to get rid of onion smell in house

#2 Vinegar

Vinegar isn't just for salad dressing - it's great for getting rid of smells too!

The acetic acid in vinegar breaks down the stuff that causes those nasty odors.

Here's what you do: mix equal parts water and white vinegar, then fill up your plastic container with the mixture. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour.

This gives the vinegar enough time to neutralize the smell.

If you've got a really tough smell, you can even use straight-up white vinegar.

After you're done, wash the container really well with soap and warm water. You don't want your food tasting like vinegar, right?

It’s an easy and effective solution, and you probably already have vinegar at home!

#3 Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can also get that onion smell out of plastic.

The citric acid in lemons works as both a deodorizer and a cleaner.

You can squeeze fresh lemon juice right onto the plastic and rub it around, or you can put lemon slices inside the container. Just make sure the lemon juice touches every part of the container.

Let it sit for about 15 to 30 minutes before washing it out.

If you want a milder approach, mix some lemon juice with water and soak the container in that.

The natural enzymes in lemon juice don't just get rid of smells - they also help break down any leftover oils that might be holding onto that onion smell.

#4 Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another great option for absorbing odors.

It's got tons of tiny holes that trap smelly molecules.

All you need to do is put a small bag or a few pieces of activated charcoal in your plastic container and close it up tight. Leave it alone for a few hours or overnight, and let the charcoal do its thing.

The charcoal will absorb the onion smell and leave your plastic container smelling clean.

What's cool about activated charcoal is that it can keep absorbing smells for days if you need it to.

For the best results, use fresh charcoal and keep the container sealed.

#5 Dish Soap And Hot Water

Sometimes, the easiest way is the best way.

Just fill your container with hot water and add a squirt or two of good dish soap.

The hot water helps open up the plastic's pores, which lets the soap get in deeper and break down the stuff that's causing the smell.

Let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Use water that's as hot as your tap will give you, but be careful not to use boiling water - that could mess up your container.

After it's done soaking, give it a good scrub to make sure you've gotten rid of all the smelly bits.

If the smell is really strong, you might need to do this a couple of times.

#6 Sunlight

Did you know that good old sunshine can help get rid of onion smells?

After you've cleaned your container using any of the methods we've talked about, put it outside in direct sunlight for a few hours. The UV rays help break down any leftover smelly molecules.

The heat from the sun also helps open up the plastic's pores, which lets trapped smells escape.

This works really well when you use it along with other cleaning methods.

Put the container somewhere that gets lots of direct sunlight during the middle of the day, and turn it around every now and then so all sides get some sun.

Just be careful not to leave it out too long on really hot days - you don't want your container to get warped.

How to remove onion smell out of plastic

#7 Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds aren't just for making coffee - they're great at absorbing and masking smells too.

They can neutralize bad smells and they have a strong smell of their own. Just put a small amount of dry coffee grounds in your plastic container and let them sit for a day or two.

Use fresh grounds instead of used ones - they're better at absorbing smells.

Spread them out evenly on the bottom of the container and give it a shake every now and then to make sure they touch all the surfaces.

After you're done, wash the container really well to get all the coffee out.

It will get the onion smell out of plastic. Coffee grounds work so well because they contain nitrogen, which helps neutralize smells at a molecular level.

Wrapping Up

Getting rid of onion smell from plastic containers doesn't have to be a big hassle.

Each of these methods has its own way of tackling the problem, and you might find that using two or more of them together works best.

Remember to always wash your containers really well after you've treated them, so they're ready for the next time you need to use them.

If the smell is being really stubborn, don't be afraid to try the treatment again or mix and match methods for better results.

How To Get Onion Smell Out Of Plastic (7 Easy Methods)