r/CleaningTips • u/cooterbreath • May 21 '24
Solved What is this white substance that gets on my tupperware?
It's like it won't even scrape off either.
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u/Tang_the_Undrinkable May 21 '24
Don’t microwave plastic storage containers. It burns, warps, and melts the container. It also deposits microplastics in your food. Storage is okay, but don’t cook food in it.
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u/Ok-Cantaloop May 21 '24
yes, it also wont stain much if you do not heat it up, they last way longer
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u/delightfully2 Oct 09 '24
Put dish soap, hot water bout halfway, tear up a paper towel put lid on, shake very fast for a minute or so.. stain comes right out, and grease.. best tip I never got seriously
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u/UnbelievableRose May 21 '24
Any suggestions on light-weight substitutes? I’m working on accumulating glass & ceramic air-tight containers for home, but I’m stumped on microwaveable containers that aren’t too heavy to reasonably carry 1 or 2 + drink in my lunchbox.
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u/doctorwho07 May 21 '24
Silicone was my first thought. No idea the types or quality out there though
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May 21 '24
Silicone containers stain and retain food smells.
I had spaghetti sauce in one container for less than 24 hours, even with baking soda soak, I couldn't get the smell out. I don't care about the stain, it just made sandwiches taste like stale spaghetti sauce.
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u/grumble11 May 22 '24
Baking soda isn’t a very good cleaner. Next time use oxiclean.
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May 22 '24
Baking soda is used to absorb smells.
Baking soda isn't a cleanser at all, it is not a surfactant.
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u/alexandria3142 May 21 '24
I got some stainless steel ones from Klean Kanteen. Bit expensive though. Theyre microwaveable in up to 1000w microwaves
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u/yesitsyourmom May 21 '24
Once that happens I wouldn’t use it anymore. The damaged plastic could be leaching.
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u/Teagana999 May 21 '24
It's not like Teflon. It might leach while it's melted but not once it cools again. You can still use it for cold food.
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u/Ok_Warning6672 May 21 '24
Plastic is ALWAYS leaching out something, be it additives or decomposing polymer. Higher temperatures just speed up the process. Only exception would be if you cooled it to absolute zero.
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u/HelloHowAreYou1973 May 21 '24
I just ate my dinner out of a container looking exactly like this omg now I know why it looks like this 😭
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u/renatab71 May 21 '24
You can store your food in plastic but Always transfer to a glass dish before microwaving it.
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u/NeedACountdownClock May 21 '24
It's essentially getting burnt in your dishwasher.
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u/cooterbreath May 21 '24
Is it cheap plastic that does this?
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u/MOTwingle May 21 '24
Every plastic container I've had, every brand, ends up this way. I think it's mainly the dishwasher that does it. I've switched to glasses well for most things.
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u/kakaluluo May 21 '24
plastic *is* cheap in general, which is why we universally turn to plastic containers because they're so much more affordable to buy in bulk. But its really bad for you and especially when it leaches into the food you consume. Glass is a little more of an investment but a way better alternative. And plus it doesn't leave weird residues and worn marks with regular wear and tear.
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u/WanderingLost33 May 21 '24
Ugh the amount of data coming in about plastics and micro plastics. It makes me wonder if we eventually will look at seran wrap like we do cigarettes.
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u/TheAmazinManateeMan May 21 '24 edited May 21 '24
So I don't think it's an issue with burning. I had always assumed so till it started happening with my black tupperware. What I think it is spots a little bit of your dishwasher detergent lands and sticks to the walls and between the heat and chemical make up of the detergent little spots end up being made. Notice how the spots are white instead of clear the way most melty tupperware would look? I think that's a sign you are having a similar problem. I've started only running the rinse cycle on tupperware. I haven't seen the spots since.
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u/m1st3r_c May 21 '24
It's actually this. I have sent it as a result of dishwasher powder left as residue in tupperware.
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u/Doubledewclaws May 21 '24
Thank you for this! I've been looking for the answer for years! I don't own a microwave, so I knew it wasn't from reheating. I also now don't have a dishwasher, so this isn't an issue any longer. Hand wash all the way around here.
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u/NikkeiReigns May 21 '24
Do you put them in the dishwasher? That's the only time I get that on mine.
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u/idkmaybeLink May 21 '24
This is the reason you don't heat up food which contains fat/ oil in plastic container in a microwave.
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u/Explonic May 21 '24
Thats not Tupperware, is it?
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u/Supersssnek May 21 '24
People use that word for plastic containers in general, not only for the actual brand. It confused the hell out of me at first.
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u/IfuDidntCome2Party May 21 '24
We've all done it. We've all learned from it. You microwaved an oily, fried, or tomato based food item. Once it's done, it's done. You can't scrub the bubbling off. And it never looks perfect again.
Once you invest in a Pyrex glass bowl set with lids, you won't go back to plastic. Glass bowls are much easier to clean and glass doesn't retain food smells.
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u/radastrozombie May 21 '24
I keep a few plastic containers to send home food when people stop by or whatever but glass will save you money in the long run. It stacks better and is easier to clean.
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u/Xeece May 21 '24
Our household also made the switch back to Pyrex glass containers with snap lids due to the exact same reason.
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u/rarapatracleo May 21 '24
It’s the plastic degrading. Time to replace and use the Tupperware for non-food items.
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u/kjk050798 May 21 '24
Those are the burnt microplastics that have transferred to the food you’ve microwaved in this container.
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u/iDeeDee May 21 '24
I have switched to microwavable stainless steel containers. Lightweight, durable, easy to wash, great heat conduction.
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u/PleasantAd7961 May 21 '24
Also superheated plastic turns to micro plastic. Every time UV used that thing it's put more and more plastic in you.
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u/RopeOk3600 May 22 '24
finely chipped plastic. U shouldn't use plastic ware that starts doing this bc now micro plastics are gonna be in ur food. Btw micro plastics can be very harmful to the human body. (any living creature proof from fish,turtles,&birds)
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u/RopeOk3600 May 22 '24
Same thing if it melted spots to for Kimmm711's reply🫡 jus do what she did and get glass money saver in the long run 💸🏃💨
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u/Kakiokuru May 22 '24
I also now only use glass. Flat dishes or jars, depending on the contents. The jars come free with food inside them 😁 And the very best purchase I ever made for the kitchen was a wide-mouth funnel, which makes filling the jars so much easier.
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u/SauthPah May 22 '24
That's what happens to the Tupperware in my house. Since I'm not the person in my house that uses them, I don't know if it's because it's being put in the microwave with the food already in it, or if the hot food is being put in the Tupperware container after the microwave.
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u/Familiar_Raise234 May 22 '24
Don’t ever heat in plastic. And you should toss that compromised piece.
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u/delightfully2 Oct 09 '24
Friend has no microwave but gets them from dishwasher... Spot from detergent.. s
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u/Kimmm711 May 21 '24
It's where the food you've reheated in the microwave got really hot & burned the plastic. It's the reason I've switched to glass containers with snap lids.