Indian cuisine uses a variety of spices and herbs. Certain spices, such as garam masala, haldi, and chaat masala, are often used in many traditional Indian dishes. These spices have a strong aroma and flavour that can be used to enhance any dish. Oil is also used extensively in these dishes. When combined with oil, these spices emit strong, fresh flavours that last and become foul odours if the steel boxes used for storage of the dishes are not cleaned properly.
Most Indian households use steel tiffin boxes to pack their meals. These boxes are durable and leakproof. The only problem we face with them is that they retain a strong smell from these masalas. These spices also make the containers greasy, making them difficult to clean. A tiffin box, for example, can absorb all of our meal's flavours and, if not properly cleaned, develop a foul odour. But worry not, we've got you covered! Here are some ways in which you can clean your steel tiffin boxes efficiently and remove that pungent smell:
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent product for removing unpleasant odours. It acts as a good cleaning agent as it is a mild alkali and can make dirt and oil dissolve easily in water. Simply prepare a thick paste by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a cup of water. Apply this paste to the entire tiffin box and set aside for one to two hours. Wash it in warm water and thoroughly dry it.
Lemon peels
Citric acid, found in lemon peels, acts as a cleanser and can help remove unpleasant odours from your lunchbox. Boil some lemon peels, then scrub them in the tiffin box for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and let it dry.
Raw potatoes
Did you know that potatoes could eliminate the unpleasant scent from your lunchbox? Potatoes are wonderful at absorbing odours. Salt the potato slices, then gently rub them on the box's interior surface. Keep them aside for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
White vinegar
The acetic acid in white vinegar helps remove the alkaline odour by destroying bacteria. For this, fill the tiffin box with equal parts vinegar and water and let it sit for a few hours. When you rinse it with water, you will notice that the strong odour has completely disappeared.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a fantastic alternative to various deodorising methods for smelly areas. It has anti-microbial qualities that help slow the development of odour. Boil a cinnamon stick in some water and let it cool a bit. Rinse your tiffin box with this water first, followed by fresh water.