Prep first
Before you start
- Fix the water source first and dry everything completely.
- Wear gloves, goggles without vents and an N-95 respirator.
- Brush loose mold off outdoors if possible.
- Scrub with detergent and water, then dry completely.
Mold on plastic is a living fungus that spreads from tiny spores landing on wet spots, so the growth usually sits on the surface and lifts with a careful wipe. Plastic can still carry a mark afterward, because mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage that can't always be reversed. Fresh spots tend to come off far more easily than marks that have been there a while.
Mold in plastic water bottles often needs a second look after the wipe, so check the inside corners before you reuse it. White mold on plastic usually comes off with a careful wipe, and if the spot holds, reach for a mold and mildew remover. Old marks that have set in won't lift as easily, so don't expect a single pass to fix them.
Before you start
What plastic & tupperware can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care2
- Hot water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid2
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
9 items
What you'll need
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- Gloves, goggles without vents and an N-95 respiratorSo you don't breathe in or touch spores. (opens Amazon)
- Soft clothsLift the mold without damaging the plastic. (opens Amazon)
- A soft brush (opens Amazon)
- Mild soap and warm waterThe base for the first wipe. (opens Amazon)
- Household ammoniaA few drops in the sudsy water for the first wipe. (opens Amazon)
- White vinegarFor the wash on faint marks left after the first wipe. (opens Amazon)
- Washing soda (opens Amazon)
- Commercial mildew stain removerFor stubborn marks, only after a test on a hidden spot. (opens Amazon)
- Clean towelsTo dry the plastic completely.
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Protect yourself and clear loose mold
Put on gloves, goggles without vents and an N-95 respirator before you start. Take the plastic outside if you can, and brush off loose mold there so spores don't scatter through the house.
Step 2 of 5
Wipe with warm sudsy ammonia water
Dip a soft cloth in warm water with a little mild soap, and add a few drops of ammonia. Wipe the stain until it lifts, then rinse well with clear water and wipe the plastic dry.
Careful. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or any cleaner that contains it, because toxic fumes could be produced.
Step 3 of 5
Wash with vinegar and washing soda
This wash is for light mildew, so use it only when the ammonia wipe leaves a faint mark. Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 gallon warm water, wash the plastic with it, then rinse thoroughly.
Step 4 of 5
Test a commercial mildew remover first
Choose a commercial mildew stain remover and test it on a hidden spot first. If the plastic looks fine after that, apply it to the stain and follow the package directions.
Careful. Stop if the plastic softens, clouds or discolors.
Step 5 of 5
Rinse and dry completely
Rinse off every trace of cleaner with clear water, then dry the plastic completely with a clean towel or in open air. Wet areas dried within 24 to 48 hours usually won't grow mold, so don't leave it damp.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for mold on plastic & tupperware
Test the cleaner on a hidden spot first, then follow the package directions.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on plastic & tupperware, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
A clean spot looks even in color, with no fuzz, fine dust or shadow left on the plastic. If a dark mark is still there once everything is dry, it has likely set in, so read the set-in part below.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your plastic & tupperware
White on Plastic
White mold on plastic is still mold, so the same cleaning applies. Start with the warm sudsy ammonia water wipe, then rinse and dry the spot before you judge it.
If the spot is still visible once it's dry, go to the vinegar and washing soda wash for the faint mark.
Plastic Water Bottles
Bottles hold mold in the neck, the threads of the cap and the bottom ridge, where water sits. Reach in with a soft brush and the same ammonia wipe to work on those spots.
Rinse the bottle several times until no suds or smell are left, then dry it upside down with the cap off. Keep the cap off until the inside is fully dry, so no damp spot stays behind.
Food Containers, Pitchers, and Plastic Tubs
Lids and seals often hold the most mold, so take the lid off and clean the seal separately if it comes out. Use the same ammonia wipe on the container, with a soft brush for the corners.
Hand washing in hot soapy water is fine, but keep containers away from direct heat. Tomato sauce and fatty or oily food can stain and blister plastic, so rinse containers soon after use.
Mildew on a Plastic Dishrack
Take apart any removable parts, then wipe the rack with the warm sudsy ammonia water and a soft cloth or brush. Rinse it well so no soap or ammonia film is left behind.
Let it dry fully in the air before you load it again, since a damp rack is where mildew comes back. Keep it out of direct heat while it dries. If the mildew has spread to the sink around it, see the Sinks guide.
Old Plastic Toys and Dolls
Use the same ammonia wipe on hard plastic parts, then rinse and dry them fully before they go back on a shelf. Keep the wipe off any painted faces or hair you don't need to clean.
Stuffing and cloth parts are porous, and mold in them may not come out, so they may have to be thrown away. If a doll has a cloth outfit, the Clothes guide covers fabric.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Old mold stains on plastic are harder to lift, because the mold has had more time to leave a mark. Repeat the ammonia wipe and the vinegar and washing soda wash once each, rinsing well between them.
Once the surface is dry, look at it in good light before deciding to go further. If the mark is still there, the commercial mildew remover is the next option, tested first on a hidden spot.
Mold can cause staining and cosmetic damage that can't always be reversed, so a faint mark may be permanent. Stop once the plastic is clean and dry, since pushing harder can damage the surface.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on mold on plastic & tupperware?
Many home remedies you'll find online either don't suit plastic or belong to fabric and stone. Only remedies that suit plastic make the cut, and the rest are skipped for a clear reason.
Works1Skip5
Chemical safety
Never mix these
Some products in this guide react dangerously with each other. Use them one at a time and rinse with water in between.
Ammonia + Vinegar
Poison Control warns that mixing ammonia products with other cleaners is dangerous, and the ammonia maker's safety sheet lists acids such as vinegar as incompatible.
Vinegar + Washing Soda
Arm & Hammer's Super Washing Soda safety data sheet lists acids as incompatible materials. Vinegar is an acid.
If they mix by accident: Don't use the mixture; ventilate the room and avoid breathing fumes or touching it; call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for disposal advice or if anyone feels unwell.
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrub with abrasive cleansers or pads
Abrasive cleansers and scrub pads are not safe on plastic. If you need more force, use a soft brush, or only a plastic or nylon pad.
Don't put plastic near flame or heat
Plastic lids and containers should never go on or under a flame, stovetop or broiler. Keep plastic away from extreme heat, such as the inside of a hot car.
Don't rely on bleach as a routine cleaner
EPA says chlorine bleach and similar biocides are not recommended as a routine practice. If you do use one, ventilate the room and exhaust the air outdoors.
Don't microwave with lids sealed
Vent the lid or set it slightly open so it can't trap pressure. Sealed lids can warp the plastic, so offset them before heating.
When to call a professional
EPA advises against tackling more than about 10 square feet of mold yourself, so hire help for bigger patches. Mold from sewage or contaminated water also calls for an experienced professional, so follow EPA's remediation guidance or hire one.
Questions
Can You Clean Mold Off Plastic?
Yes, most mold on hard plastic lifts with warm sudsy water and a few drops of ammonia, followed by a rinse and full drying. If a faint mark stays, the vinegar and washing soda wash or a commercial mildew remover can help.
How do I remove black mold from plastic safely?
Wear gloves, goggles without vents and an N-95 respirator, and clean outside if you can. Then use the ammonia wipe, rinse and dry the plastic completely. Dark marks that stay after this have likely set in.
Why does mold keep coming back on plastic?
Mold needs water or moisture to grow, so cleaning alone won't stop it if the surface stays damp. Fix the water source and dry everything completely.
Will the mold stain come out completely?
Not always. Mold can cause staining and cosmetic damage that can't always be reversed, so a faint mark may remain after cleaning.
Does white vinegar work on mold on plastic?
It works on light mildew, which is why it's used after the ammonia wipe for faint marks. Rinse the plastic fully afterward so no vinegar film is left.
Does a commercial mildew remover work better than vinegar?
It can handle marks that the vinegar wash leaves behind. Test it on a hidden spot first and follow the package directions.
Mold on other materials
Other stains on plastic & tupperware
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.