First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Open a window and put on household gloves and an N95 dust mask if you have one.
- Vacuum loose soot dry with the nozzle just above the surface.
- Wipe the plastic with mild soap and warm water once the loose soot is gone.
- Scrub only with a plastic or nylon pad if the wipe leaves a film.
Smoke residue on plastic is dry, dusty or oily, and it can spread across the surface if you rub it before lifting the loose part. Plastic takes plain water well, but it's less forgiving of abrasives and heat, so the scrubbing stays gentle. Check the surface in good light as you work, so you can tell when it's clear.
Smoke stains on white plastic lift in a few passes, but tobacco stains on plastic that have turned yellow often need a second round. Work in small circles with a damp cloth, and rinse it often so the film doesn't smear back across the surface. If the smell lingers after the surface looks clean, an odor eliminator handles it better than more scrubbing.
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
7 items
What you'll need
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- Household glovesKeeps soot and ash off your skin and out of your breathing zone. (opens Amazon)
- An N95 dust mask (opens Amazon)
- Vacuum with a nozzle attachmentLifts loose soot dry before any liquid touches it.
- Soft, lint-free clothWipes the surface without leaving lint behind. (opens Amazon)
- Mild dishwashing liquid and warm waterCleans the film without harsh chemicals. (opens Amazon)
- Plastic or nylon scrub padThe only pad type to use if the wipe leaves a film. (opens Amazon)
- 70% isopropyl alcohol with no added color or fragranceA set-in option for stubborn residue on plastic lids, after a hidden-spot test. (opens Amazon)
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Ventilate and gear up
Open a window or run a fan before you start. Put on household gloves and a dust mask, preferably an N95, and wash any ash off your skin as soon as you can.
Step 2 of 5
Lift the loose soot dry
Don't touch or wipe the soot during your first look around, since handling it moves it from item to item. Vacuum the loose soot with the nozzle held just above the surface, or shake off washable items instead.
Careful. Brushes and beater bars force soot into other possessions, so keep them off.
Step 3 of 5
Wipe with mild soap and warm water
Wet a soft, lint-free cloth in warm water with a little mild dishwashing liquid, then wipe the whole surface in one direction. Rinse the cloth often, and switch to a clean side as it fills with soot.
Tip. Wring the cloth out well so the surface stays damp, not wet.
Step 4 of 5
Scrub only with a plastic pad
If the wipe leaves a film, go over the spot with a plastic or nylon scrub pad and the same soap and warm water. Keep the pressure light and stay with the same direction.
Careful. Abrasive cleansers are not for plastic, so the pad is the only scrubbing tool.
Step 5 of 5
Check in good light and repeat
Look at the surface in daylight or under a bright lamp to see whether any yellow or gray film is left. If it is, repeat the soap wipe once more before you try a stronger option.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for smoke on plastic & tupperware
Pick a mild dishwashing liquid with no added fragrance, and 70% isopropyl alcohol with no added color or fragrance for the set-in step.
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 surface looks even under good light, with no gray or yellow film left on it. It should feel clean to the touch rather than greasy, and the smell should fade as the residue comes off.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your plastic & tupperware
Cigarette and cigarette smoke on plastic
Cigarette smoke leaves the same dusty film, so the steps stay the same: lift the loose soot first, then wipe with soap and warm water. Ash that is still loose should be vacuumed, not wiped, so it doesn't smear across the surface.
Phone cases need one change. Remove the phone first, then wipe the case with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Check the case in good light before you put the phone back on.
Smoke on white plastic
White plastic shows a light film more clearly, so check it in good light before you decide it's clean. Keep the wipe light and work on one section at a time, so the cloth doesn't spread the film across a larger area.
If a faint gray haze stays after one full wipe, repeat the step once more. Stop if the surface still looks dirty after two rounds, and move to the stronger option further down.
Yellow smoke on plastic
Yellow often means the film has been there longer, so it can be harder to lift than fresh soot. Start with the normal soap wipe and check in good light before you do anything else.
If the yellow is still there after the repeat wipe, it has likely set in, so use the stronger option below and test it first. Don't rub harder to force it out.
Tobacco on plastic
Tobacco residue on plastic comes off with the same steps: lift it dry, then wipe with mild soap and warm water. Hot water is only for containers, so keep it away from other items.
Containers can be washed by hand in hot soapy water, or placed on the dishwasher top rack if the product allows it. Check the product before using the rack, and rinse them well before you put them away.
Fire smoke on plastic
After a fire, soot is usually heavier and more spread out, so the dry lift matters even more. Vacuum the loose soot in slow passes, and don't rub the item until the loose soot is gone.
Once it's lifted, wipe the surface with the same soap and warm water, and check it again in good light. If the item was near heat, look for warping before you clean it, since heated plastic can change shape.
Nicotine-stained plastic
Nicotine leaves a sticky film that builds up in layers, so expect to wipe more than once. Work with the same soap and warm water, changing the cloth as it dirties and checking between rounds.
If the film returns after cleaning, the item probably needs another full round of the steps rather than a stronger cleaner.
Nicotine on clear plastic
Clear plastic shows every bit of residue, so wipe slowly and check in good light between passes. Avoid rubbing hard at the start, since clear surfaces show scratches as well as residue.
Eyeglass lenses need a different touch. Brush off dust first, then clean with a lens wipe in circular movements, and don't use a tissue, tie or sleeve.
Orange cigarette on plastic
Start with the same soap wipe, since the steps don't change for color. Give it one full wipe, then check whether the orange has eased.
If the orange holds after two rounds, treat it as set-in and move to the stronger option below. Don't keep wiping in the hope it will fade.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old yellowing has had time to set on the surface, so it's harder to lift than fresh residue. A single wipe usually won't clear it, and rubbing harder won't help.
Start by repeating the soap wipe and let the cloth rest on the spot for longer before you wipe. If the yellow is still there, try the isopropyl alcohol on a hidden spot first, then on the stain with a soft cloth.
The alcohol is for stubborn residue on plastic lids, so use it sparingly and stop if the surface looks changed. If the yellow stays after this, there's no safe next step to recommend, so accept it or replace the item.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on smoke on plastic & tupperware?
A few common home remedies come up for this stain. Only the mild dish soap wipe is needed, since the others are made for other surfaces or fabrics.
Works1Helps1Skip4
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use fragranced cleaners
Scented products only cover the smoke smell, and the residue stays on the surface. Stick to mild dishwashing liquid and warm water so you're cleaning the film, not the scent.
Don't put lids near heat
Keep plastic lids and containers away from a flame, stovetop or broiler, since heat can warp them. In the microwave, vent or offset the lid so it doesn't warp.
Don't use solvents on acrylic
Acrylic can't take solvents or abrasive cleansers, so the alcohol and scrub steps don't apply to it. Wipe clear acrylic with mild soap and warm water only, and check it in good light.
Don't use harsh products on silicone
Silicone phone cases can't take window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia or abrasives. Stick to the cloth method described for phone cases.
When to call a professional
A professional isn't needed for most plastic items, since the steps here are gentle. If the color holds after the steps and the set-in option, replacing the item is usually the more practical choice.
Questions
Will smoke stains come off plastic completely?
Most surface film wipes off with mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. If the color is still there after several rounds, it has set in, and the results may be partial, so the set-in step is the next thing to try.
Can I use vinegar on smoke-stained plastic?
No, vinegar isn't needed on smoke-stained plastic. The mild dishwashing liquid and warm water do this job, and you can stop there before reaching for anything else.
Can I use chlorine bleach on plastic?
No, keep chlorine bleach off the plastic. Never mix it with ammonia or other cleaners.
Can I wash a smoke-stained toilet seat?
Yes, with mild soap and warm water on a soft cloth. Keep nail polish, aftershave and abrasive chemicals away from plastic seats, since they damage the finish.
Does the smoke smell come out with the stain?
Smoke odor comes from the residue on the item, so lifting that residue is what changes the smell. Once the film is gone, the item should smell much cleaner.
What if the stain is still there after cleaning?
Repeat the soap wipe once more and check in good light. If it's still there, it's set in, so move to the stronger option, and if it stays after that, the item may need replacing.
Does smoke yellowing come back after cleaning?
It can if the surface keeps getting smoke residue on it. Keep the item in a clean spot and wipe it when the film starts to show, so it doesn't build up again.
Smoke 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.