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 the things experts say you should never store in plastic containers—and what the best storage substitutes are.
Raw meat
Raw meat should not be stored in plastic containers for potential cross-contamination reasons.
Simultaneously, it’s always best to make sure whatever vessel you’re using to house raw meat 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
The acid in tomatoes can cause the plastic to degrade and absorb odors over time, and same with curries. This acidity reacts to the plastic and can cause 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 odour 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.
As for fresh herbs, 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. Fruits like berries and avocados tend to go bad faster in plastic than in glass containers. Additionally, 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. 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 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. Foods with a high fat content 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.
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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.
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.
Leather goods
Any leather you may have— in the form of purses, boots, jackets, and more—should be kept far 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. 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. They might even stick together or fade over time.
Candles
Keeping candles in plastic containers in a cool, dry spot could be okay. However, if the container is exposed to any heat or sunlight, the wax can soften or melt. Choose wisely when finding a place to store your favorite wax candle so you can enjoy its scent and form.
Best storage alternatives to plastic
Overall, the material for storage for most of these items, especially the food, is glass. According to research, glass is safe for most foods because it’s nonreactive, stain resistant, and good for hot and cold things. Silicone bags are also a wonderful, eco-friendly option that you can wash and reuse.
