First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Put on rubber or disposable gloves before you touch it.
- Scrape off solids gently, without pressing them in.
- Rinse with cold water as soon as you can.
- Wash your hands with soap and water afterward.
Poop on plastic is a body-soil stain, so the order is scraping first and gentle washing second, with hot water used only with care. Soiled items can carry germs, so gloves and clean hands matter as much as the scrubbing. Set-in marks are harder, and plastic can't take abrasives or heat to lift them.
Wipe poop stains off plastic toys with a soft cloth and skip the stiff brush. Plastic toilet seats and food containers get the same soft-cloth treatment, with nothing abrasive. If the plastic softens or warps, stop right away, since heat is the likely cause.
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
6 items
What you'll need
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- Rubber or disposable glovesKeeps germs off your hands while you handle the item. (opens Amazon)
- Cold waterThe first rinse, before any warm washing.
- Mild liquid dish soapMakes the warm sudsy wash. (opens Amazon)
- Soft, lint-free clothWashes the surface without scratching it. (opens Amazon)
- SpongeUsed with clear water for the final rinse. (opens Amazon)
- Dry clothFor wiping the plastic dry.
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Put on gloves and scrape off solids
Put on rubber or disposable gloves before you touch the item. Gently scrape off the solids without pressing them deeper into the surface. Keep the item still while you work so the mess doesn't spread.
Careful. Shaking a soiled item spreads the mess, so don't shake it.
Step 2 of 5
Rinse with cold water first
Run cold water over the stained area as soon as you can. This washes away what's still loose without adding any heat. Keep the water cold until the stain has been rinsed.
Careful. Hot water before rinsing can cook the protein and set the stain.
Step 3 of 5
Wash with warm sudsy water
Dip a soft cloth in warm water with a little mild dish soap, then wash the whole stained area. Work the suds gently over the surface and into any ridges or seams. Keep going until the cloth comes away clean.
Tip. Mild soap is all you need, so don't reach for anything stronger.
Step 4 of 5
Rinse thoroughly with clear water
Moisten a sponge with clear water and rinse the area until no suds remain. Go over the spot a second time to make sure all the soap is gone.
Tip. Leftover soap can leave a film, so rinse a little longer than you think you need.
Step 5 of 5
Wipe dry with a clean cloth
Wipe the plastic dry with a dry cloth and check the spot as you go. If any residue is still visible, repeat the warm wash and clear rinse before you finish.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for poop on plastic & tupperware
Choose a mild liquid dish soap for the warm sudsy wash, and skip any cleaner with abrasive grit.
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.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The spot should look free of solids, with no slick soap film left on the plastic. If a faint mark remains after one more wash and clear rinse, stop there rather than reaching for anything stronger.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your plastic & tupperware
Plastic toys
Toys get the same steps: scrape, cold rinse, warm sudsy wash, clear rinse, then dry. Give ridges, seams and textured spots extra attention with the cloth, and rinse them until no suds remain.
Dry the toy fully with the dry cloth before it goes back in the toy box.
Plastic toilet seats
Mild soap and warm water are the safe choice for plastic seats. Keep nail polish, aftershave and abrasive chemicals away, since they damage the finish.
The Toilets guide covers the full routine for the bowl and seat. Read it for the rest of the bathroom job.
Plastic food containers
Once the cold rinse is done, food containers can be washed by hand in hot soapy water. Don't overheat fatty foods, sugar, oils or tomato sauce in them, since that causes staining and blistering.
Hot soapy water is the heat level that's safe for washing, so skip the dishwasher unless the maker's instructions say it's fine.
Plastic cups and glasses
The same steps work for cups and glasses. Keep them out of extreme heat such as a hot car, since that can damage the plastic.
Rinse them thoroughly after washing so no soap film stays on the rim.
Silicone phone cases
Silicone isn't the same as hard plastic, so leave out household cleaners, window cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia and abrasives. Stick to the warm sudsy cloth and clear-water rinse from the steps.
Dry it with a dry cloth and let it dry fully before using it again.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old stains on plastic respond best to the same steps, repeated rather than made stronger. Start with a fresh scrape and cold rinse, then a warm sudsy wash, and keep your gloves on the whole time.
Dried-on feces needs a little more patience, because the solids have to be loosened before the soap can reach the surface. Let the warm sudsy cloth sit on the spot briefly before you rinse it off.
If a faint mark remains, repeat the warm wash and clear-water rinse once more, then wipe dry. After that, stop, because no stronger product is safe to use on plastic here.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on poop on plastic & tupperware?
A few home remedies come up for this stain. None of them is needed for plastic, so these steps stick to mild soap, water and a cloth.
Works1Skip4Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrub with abrasive pads
Abrasive cleansers and scrub pads can scratch plastic, so use a cloth and sponge for every pass. Gentle passes do the job without leaving marks on the surface.
Don't put plastic lids near heat
Keep lids off flames, stovetop burners, broilers and ovens, since plastic lids and containers can't take direct heat. Keep this in mind even after the item is clean.
Don't microwave with lids sealed
A sealed lid can warp in the microwave, so vent it or set it slightly offset before heating. Check that the lid is loose enough to let air out.
When to call a professional
If a cracked, warped or badly discolored item stays marked after cleaning, replacing it is usually the easier fix. If you feel unwell after handling soiled items, or something was swallowed, see a doctor.
Questions
Will plastic come out in poop?
Whether plastic can pass through in stool is a medical question, and cleaning steps can't answer it. If you're worried about something a child or pet swallowed, call a doctor or vet. Cleaning only removes feces from the plastic itself, not what might pass through in stool.
What if the stain has dried on?
Dried-on feces takes a little more patience, but the steps stay the same. Give it a second warm sudsy wash and clear-water rinse, and don't reach for anything stronger.
Can I use bleach on plastic?
Skip bleach on plastic for this job. Mild dish soap, warm water and clear rinsing are the safe route for this stain.
Is rubbing alcohol safe for this stain?
Skip it on this one. Stick to the warm sudsy wash and clear rinse, which is all the stain needs.
Can I put plastic food containers in the dishwasher?
Hand washing in hot soapy water is the method that's confirmed for food containers, so use that. Don't assume the dishwasher is safe for them without checking the maker's instructions.
Can I use the item again right away?
Wipe it dry with a dry cloth and let it dry fully before using or storing it. Check the spot once more, and repeat the wash and rinse if anything is still visible.
Poop 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.