The Ultimate Guide to Grease Removal: A Hassle-Free, No-Scrub Solution for Sparkling Clean Plastic Surfaces

It can be frustrating when your plastic items get greasy and no matter how many times you wash them, they still feel sticky. Grease tends to cling to plastic more than porcelain or stainless steel. Try these tips to get your plastics feeling fresh and clean again:

Use Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has acidic properties that break down grease. Using lemon juice to wash your plastic items will not only help eliminate unpleasant odors but also remove stubborn grease stains. Simply cut a lemon into slices and scrub the surface of the plastic item, or squeeze the lemon juice into your dishwater and use a sponge to wash as usual.

Try Vinegar

Vinegar works similarly to lemon juice. Its acidic nature helps break down fats, making it easier to clean grease away. Soak a paper towel with vinegar and wipe down the plastic surface, then wash as usual with your regular dish soap. To save money, you can use cleaning vinegar instead of the more expensive vinegar intended for cooking.

Baking Soda to the Rescue

Baking soda is a versatile cleaning agent in the kitchen. It can be used to clean a variety of dirty items and surfaces. Mix baking soda with water in a ratio of 3:1 (baking soda to water) to form a thick paste. Apply this paste to the greasy plastic item and wash it off. You can also soak the item in the mixture for 1-2 hours for tougher stains.

Hot Salt Water

Adding salt to hot water can help dissolve grease more quickly. The hot water prevents grease from adhering to the plastic, causing it to float to the surface, while salt helps break down the grease. Simply mix 1 liter of hot water with 3 tablespoons of salt and soak your plastic items in this solution before washing them normally.

Tips for Washing Plastic Items:

When dealing with greasy plastic items, it’s important to be careful with your cleaning method to ensure effective grease removal. If there are large amounts of food residue on your plastic items, start by using paper towels to absorb as much grease as possible before washing.

When rinsing, use running water from the tap rather than a basin of water. This ensures that each item is rinsed individually, avoiding the build-up of greasy residue that can occur when multiple items are soaked in the same water. Grease tends to float on the surface of the water, and using a basin will only result in a layer of grease forming on top, making it difficult to thoroughly clean the plastic items. The smooth surface of plastic also makes it more prone to feeling slippery, so rinsing under running water helps to wash away the grease more effectively.