11 Things You Should Never Store In Plastic Containers
By Ashlyn Needham, southernliving.com
When it comes to storage, odds are you have a collection of plastic containers on standby in your home. While these products make tough, cost-effective solutions, sometimes they’re not the best for the items you’re actually putting inside. Here are 11 things experts say you should never store in plastic containers—and what the best storage substitutes are.
Raw Meats
“I honestly don’t feel comfortable putting raw meats in plastic containers for potential cross-contamination reasons,” says Aaron Taub, owner and leader of My Professional Organizer in Dallas, who prefers to store them in glass containers instead.
Simultaneously, it’s always best to make sure whatever vessel you’re using to house raw meats comes with an airtight, sealable lid. Open lids, or ones that open easily, can cause leakage, which is the absolute last thing you want with uncooked meat.
Tomato Sauces & Curries
Do you have that one bowl of Tupperware that’s forever stained with the remnants of your beloved spaghetti sauce? That’s because, according to our experts, tomato sauces and curries are best left out of this kind of storage.
“The acidity in tomato sauces can cause the plastic to degrade and absorb odors over time,” says Grace Vallo, a self-taught chef, recipe creator, and blogger at Tastefully Grace. “Same with curries.”
But as for the left-behind reddish tint, Becky Hardin, a blogger and founder of The Cookie Rookie, says that this acidity reacts to the plastic and can causes chemical leaching.
Garlic, Onions, & Fresh Herbs
Whenever you’re in a pinch and need a place to store the head of garlic you just peeled or fresh herbs from your garden, experts say to reach for anything except for plastic containers. “Foods with a strong odor such as onions, garlic, and certain cheeses can penetrate the plastic, which will leave it stained with the smell and potentially ruin foods stored in the container in the future,” says Hardin.
As for fresh herbs, Vallo says that plastic containers cause them to wilt and lose flavor quickly since they do not provide proper ventilation.
Fruits
Similar to herbs, fruits such as berries, avocados, and citruses should be left out of plastic, too. “Im a big fruit eater, and I’ve noticed that fruits like berries and avocados tend to go bad faster in plastic than in glass containers,” says Traub. Additionally, Vallo says that the lack of ventilation in plastic containers causes fruits to get moldy and mushy because of the moisture buildup.
Hot Foods
“Hot food and liquids should never be stored in plastic containers as the high temperatures can cause the plastic to release harmful chemicals,” says Hardin. “Always make sure to let food cool before storing in plastic containers.”
Oily, Fatty, Or Greasy Foods
When you’re cooking, it’s important to know the type of foods you’re making so you can put them in proper storage. Oily, fatty, and greasy food do not react well to plastic and should be put in better alternatives, like glass, according to our experts. “Foods that have a high oil content or produce a lot of grease can break down plastic over a long period of time, which puts the food at risk of being contaminated,” explains Hardin. “Foods with a high fat content such as lasagna are best to avoid when it comes to plastic containers as the fat can absorb more chemicals from the plastic compared to other food types.”
Books
Food isn’t the only item that has a lot of limitations when it comes to using plastic storage. Some household items make the list of things to keep out of plastic tubs, and according to Traub, one of those is books.
“Living in the South, I see many clients store books in large plastic containers in their garages. This would be fine in a temperature-controlled room, but with all the humidity, any trapped moisture can cause pages to warp or mildew to form, which can ruin books over time,” he says.
Leather Goods
Traub also says that any leather you may have— in the form of purses, boots, jackets, and more—should be kept for away from plastic or placed in these storage items strategically to preserve the material. “Leather items like purses in plastic containers are okay if the container is kept in a cool, dry place,” he says. “But if there’s any moisture, the leather might develop mold or mildew and could even cause your leather to crack. If you’re going to store leather items in plastic containers, I recommend using silica gel packets.”
Photographs
Precious momentos like photographs sadly can be damaged if you leave them in plastic. “Plastic containers can damage photos if heat or moisture gets trapped inside,” Traub warns. “They might even stick together or fade over time. I recommend using containers made specifically for photo storage to keep them safe for extended periods.”
Candles
“Keeping candles in plastic containers in a cool, dry spot could be okay,” Traub says. “However, if the container is exposed to any heat or sunlight, the wax can soften or melt. I’ve had this happen before, and it created a mess and caused my candles to lose their shape.” So with that in mind, choose wisely when finding a place to store your favorite wax candle so you can enjoy its scent and form.