Plastic containers are useful for storing leftovers, packing lunches, and keeping the refrigerator organized. They’re lightweight, easy to stack, and come in all shapes and sizes, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best choice for everything.
Some foods can leave plastic stained, greasy, or smelling long after the container has been washed. Certain household products can also react with plastic, so glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or the original packaging may be a better choice.
Here are 14 foods and household items you might want to store somewhere other than an ordinary plastic container.
Hot Leftovers
Putting piping-hot food into a plastic container can cause it to warp or soften, especially if it isn’t made for high temperatures. Let food cool according to food-safety guidelines and use a container labeled for the temperature and type of food you’re storing.
Tomato-Based Sauces
Tomato sauce tends to leave orange or red stains on plastic containers that can be difficult to remove. Heat, oil, and acidity can also leave lingering smells, so glass is often a better choice for pasta sauce, chili, and other tomato-based dishes.
Greasy Foods
Fried chicken, bacon, oily pasta, and other greasy foods can leave a film inside plastic containers. Glass and stainless steel are usually easier to wash and less likely to hold onto grease and food odors.
Highly Acidic Foods
Pickles, citrus slices, vinegar-based dressings, and other acidic foods are often better stored in glass. Glass doesn’t absorb flavors or odors, making it a practical choice for foods you want to keep tasting fresh.
Alcohol-Based Products
Mouthwash, extracts, rubbing alcohol, and other alcohol-based liquids shouldn’t automatically be transferred into ordinary plastic containers. Some plastics can break down or become damaged after prolonged contact with alcohol, so check the product label and keep these liquids in their original packaging unless the manufacturer recommends a compatible alternative.
Dairy Products
Milk, yogurt, cream, and soft cheeses can pick up unwanted smells from containers that previously held strongly flavored foods. Glass containers are easy to wash and don’t retain food odors, making them a good option for storing dairy in the refrigerator.
Spices and Dried Herbs
Spices and dried herbs can lose their flavor when exposed to moisture, air, heat, and light. Tightly sealed glass jars are a good storage option, especially if you keep them in a cool, dry cabinet away from the stove.
Coffee Beans
Coffee beans can lose their freshness when exposed to air, moisture, heat, and sunlight. Store them in an airtight, opaque food-storage container, such as a ceramic canister or a suitable glass jar, kept in a dark cabinet.
Related: 14 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds
Fresh Produce
Fruits and vegetables don’t all need the same storage conditions, and sealing everything in an airtight plastic container can trap excess moisture. Some produce does better in vented containers or breathable bags, so check the storage recommendations for each type before putting it away.
Leftover Pizza
Pizza sauce and melted cheese can leave stubborn stains and greasy residue inside plastic containers. A glass food-storage container is easier to clean, or you can wrap individual slices and refrigerate them in a suitable food-storage bag or container.
Peanut Butter
Natural peanut butter contains oil that can cling to plastic surfaces and make cleanup harder. Keeping it in its original jar is usually easiest, but a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid also works well.
Cleaning Supplies
Some cleaning products contain ingredients that can damage certain plastics or weaken containers over time. Keep cleaners in their original packaging, where the instructions and safety warnings are available, and never transfer them into food containers or bottles that could be mistaken for drinks.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are concentrated and can damage certain plastics after prolonged contact. Dark glass bottles are commonly used to store them because they protect the oils from light, but always check that the bottle material suits the particular oil.
Honey
Honey is thick and sticky, and it can leave a stubborn residue inside containers that’s hard to wash out. A glass jar with a secure lid is a practical storage choice because it doesn’t retain food odors and can be cleaned with warm water.
