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A reliable tiffin box has been a loyal companion to so many of us in carrying our food to work or school all the time. However, over time and with our frequent use of this box until it's no longer operationally fit, it can cling on to leftover food remnants which can create an ideal environment for fungi or bacteria to grow and be quite smelly. Our once simple tiffin box can be quite smelly as the type of food we take is the cause, particularly if we take something tangy, spicy or oily. This persistent odour can be frustrating which not only affects the box itself but also our overall dining experience. Here, we've compiled some easy kitchen hacks that you can try to eliminate this bad odour from your tiffin box.

Kitchen Hacks To Remove Bad Odour

Sunlight

If you want to remove odour from a lunch box, put it out in the sun. The sunlight will warm the inside of the unit which activates chemicals that break down the odour-causing molecules, making them less effective at producing smell. The UV rays of the sun will also destroy some of the microorganisms that cause bad smells in lunch boxes, leaving them smelling clean and fresh.

Baking Soda

Another easy way is to try a simple overnight solution. Just pour a thin layer of baking soda in the lunch box, close it and leave. In the morning, all of the smells should have absorbed into the baking soda, leaving you with a clean-smelling lunch box.

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Vinegar

Vinegar is an effective solution to get rid of odours from a lunch box. Vinegar is a mild acid that breaks down chemicals that may be the source of the odour. Simply soak a towel in vinegar, wipe down the inside and let it air dry with the lid open. It's an easy and effective method for keeping your tiffin fresh.

Coffee

Coffee grounds can also absorb the unpleasant smells of a lunchbox. Just place some coffee in a small open container inside the lunchbox and leave it unattended overnight. In the morning, the coffee grounds will have absorbed all of the smell and your lunch box will be odour-free and ready to use.

hacks to remove bad smell from lunch box

Hacks to remove pungent smell from lunch box (Image Credits: Canva)

Lemon Peels

Lemon peels can be used as a natural odour sponge for lunchboxes. Just add a few peels to the lunch box, let it sit closed overnight and the next day remove them. This quick and effective remedy will give a citrusy smell to your box.

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Potatoes

Potatoes can soak up smells and be used in a lunchbox. You can slice a raw potato into pieces and leave it in the lunchbox overnight. The next morning, remove the potato pieces and wash the lunch box with warm, soapy water.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has a powerful and pleasant aroma and can help absorb bad smells that may linger in a lunch box. Just place a cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon in a small bowl in the lunchbox overnight. It will absorb any bad smells and the lunch box will smell fresh the next day.