First steps
Start here
- Air the item out first.
- Brush off visible mildew outdoors.
- Keep it out of the dryer until the smell is gone.
A thrift smell on plastic usually comes from mildew, smoke or mothballs, and most plastic items handle plain water well. Hot water is for careful use only, and heat, including the dryer, is off the table for plastic. A marker mark on a lid is the one stain here that needs extra patience, so go slowly and test a hidden spot first.
Leave drain cleaner out of this one, since it's made for pipes and not for a plastic case or lid. Rinse the piece well after each wash so no soap film holds on to the smell. If a lid or container still smells after a few rounds, an odor eliminator is the product to reach for.
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
4 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Soft, lint-free clothWipes plastic without scratching it. (opens Amazon)
- Mild dishwashing liquidThe only routine cleaner for plastic. (opens Amazon)
- Warm waterMixes with the dishwashing liquid for the wipe.
- Soft brushLifts visible mildew outdoors before any wiping. (opens Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Air the item out first
Set the item in a dry, shaded spot with good airflow and leave it there for a while. Many musty and smoky smells fade with airing alone, so give it a real chance before you reach for any cleaner.
Step 2 of 7
Check the care label
Read the care label and follow what it says. Take dry-clean-only items to a dry cleaner rather than washing them at home.
Tip. If an item has no label, don't guess; skip ahead to the soft cloth wipe described below.
Step 3 of 7
Brush off visible mildew outdoors
Take the item outside and brush off any visible mildew before doing anything else. Brushing outdoors keeps the loose mildew out of the room.
Careful. Mildew weakens fibers; work cautiously.
Step 4 of 7
Wipe with mild soap and warm water
Mix mild dishwashing liquid into warm water and wipe the plastic with a soft, lint-free cloth. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth to lift any soap left behind.
Careful. Abrasive cleansers and scrub pads damage plastic, so keep to a soft cloth.
Step 5 of 7
Wash containers by hand or on top rack
Wash plastic containers by hand in hot soapy water. If the product allows it, the dishwasher's top rack works too.
Step 6 of 7
Hold off on the dryer
Let the item air dry rather than tumbling it. Heat can damage plastic, so keep it out of the dryer while you work.
Careful. Don't machine-dry until the smell is gone.
Step 7 of 7
Check the smell and repeat
Give the item a sniff once it's dry and clean. If the smell is still there, go back to airing and the soap wipe before trying anything stronger, which is covered in the set-in section below.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for secondhand smell on plastic & tupperware
Use a mild dishwashing liquid, not an abrasive cleanser, and a soft, lint-free cloth for wiping.
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.
A smell that keeps coming back needs the longer treatment.
If the smell lingers →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The smell should fade noticeably after airing and the soap wipe. The plastic should look the same as before, with no cloudy, scratched or rough spots. If it looks dull or rough after cleaning, the wipe was too hard.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your plastic & tupperware
Silicone phone cases
Remove the phone first, then wipe the case with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia or abrasives on silicone.
Dry it with the same cloth and let it air out before you put the phone back in. If the smell hangs on, repeat the airing rather than adding a stronger cleaner.
Eyeglass lenses
Brush off dust first, then clean the lenses with a lens wipe in circular movements. Don't use a tissue, tie or sleeve on them.
Keep the glasses out of extreme heat such as a hot car, and air them out first if they smell. Repeat the lens wipe once the smell is gone.
Plastic containers and lids
Wash containers by hand in hot soapy water, or on the dishwasher top rack if the product allows it. Lids get the same wash and should be fully dry before they go back on.
Once the smell is gone, leave the container with the lid off to air out a little longer before storing it.
Plastic lids with marker
Rub the stubborn marker with a soft cloth; isopropyl alcohol may help. Test a hidden spot first so you know how the plastic reacts.
Once the marker lifts, wipe the lid with mild soap and warm water to remove any alcohol residue.
Plastic toilet seats
Clean the seat with mild soap and warm water, using a soft cloth. Don't let nail polish, aftershave or abrasive chemicals touch the seat, because they damage the finish.
If a smell lingers after cleaning, air the seat out and wipe again with the soap solution rather than reaching for a stronger product. Rinse the seat well so no soap film is left behind.
If the smell lingers
Older smells that survive airing and a soap wipe need more open-air time, not harsher cleaners. Give the item time in the open air, then try the soap wipe again.
If the smell is still there once the item is dry, don't put it back in the dryer. Keep it out of the dryer while you work, since heat can damage plastic.
For smoke odor that airing and soap won't lift, a dry cleaner who offers ozone deodorizing is the realistic next step. Badly mildewed items may be damaged beyond repair, so that's the point where you stop trying.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on secondhand smell on plastic & tupperware?
Plastic tolerates few household remedies, so start with mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Here's how each one fits, based on what plastic can take.
Works1Helps1Skip4
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't put plastic on or near heat
Lids and containers shouldn't go on a stovetop, under a broiler, or near a flame or in an oven. Heat can damage plastic, so keep it to the wash and airing steps.
Don't microwave with lids sealed
Vent or offset lids before microwaving so the plastic doesn't warp. A sealed lid is the mistake to avoid.
Don't overheat fatty or sugary food in plastic
High-fat foods, sugar, oils and tomato sauce can stain and blister plastic when overheated. Use a dish made for the heat instead.
When to call a professional
A badly mildewed item may be beyond repair, so a dry cleaner can tell you whether it's worth keeping. If the label says dry-clean only, ask a cleaner before attempting anything at home.
Questions
Is thrift drain cleaner safe for PVC pipes?
There's no tested answer here for drain cleaner on PVC pipes, so don't pour one in on a guess. Check the cleaner's label for plastic pipes first. For sink and drain problems, the Sinks guide covers the cleaning steps.
Can secondhand smell come out of plastic?
Often, if the item is aired out first and then wiped clean. Badly mildewed items may be beyond repair, so judge those on how they look after airing.
Can I use bleach on plastic?
Skip bleach on plastic and use the closest safe method instead: mild dishwashing liquid in warm water, applied with a soft cloth. Stronger treatments aren't needed for everyday smells.
Can I put plastic containers in the dishwasher?
Yes, on the top rack, but only if the product allows it. Otherwise wash them by hand in hot soapy water.
Why does my secondhand plastic still smell?
The smell usually means the airing wasn't finished or the item was still damp when you put it away. Go back to airing and the soap wipe before trying anything stronger.
Is nail polish safe on plastic toilet seats?
No, nail polish can damage the finish on plastic toilet seats, so keep it off. Clean the seat with mild soap and warm water instead.
How do I get marker off plastic lids?
Rub it gently with a soft, lint-free cloth, working slowly on the marker. Wipe the lid clean afterward with mild soap and warm water.
Can I microwave plastic containers with lids on?
Only with the lids vented or offset, since sealed lids can warp. Don't overheat fatty, sugary or tomato-based food in plastic.
Secondhand Smell 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.