Really Useful Boxes and exploding cans

[Quartz]

I've got a Really Useful Box which has contained the explosions of cans of baked beans and cans of tomatoes. And I didn't notice for a while. I've cleaned most of it but there is a residue that is resistant to soap, water, and elbow grease. What else is safe to use? For example, can I use oven cleaner?

 

[Beans on toast Dave]

even being the expert on "beans" i cannot advise on this matter sorry

 

[Semple]

Did it grow mould? I find mould really hard to get off surfaces once it's had a bit of time to stick.

 

[Demon]

I've got a Really Useful Box which has contained the explosions of cans of baked beans and cans of tomatoes. And I didn't notice for a while. I've cleaned most of it but there is a residue that is resistant to soap, water, and elbow grease. What else is safe to use? For example, can I use oven cleaner?

Aside from the old white vinegar/water mix and left for 24 hours, the next step is UV bleaching, so pop it outside on a sunny day, or buy a UV lamp and leave it in the box for a while..

 

[Quartz]

I don't think the plastic is discoloured; rather, there's just crud which isn't shifting.

 

[jpaul]

oven cleaners fine - have used it on plastic bins & buckets to shift organic grime,
citric acid/vinegar when it has also got some water stain/calcium carbonate component.

 

[bazzabear]

Get some Cif on it. That stuff is magic.

 

[lewism]

Either that or the Pink Stuff!

 

[RavenLunatic]

Fill it with water and add washing up powder/liquid and let it sit for a few days.

 

[adidan]

Either that or the Pink Stuff!

Not sure Pepto-Bismol would help.

Unless he'd eaten the beans.

 

[Quartz]

oven cleaners fine - have used it on plastic bins & buckets to shift organic grime,

Ah, excellent. The residue is indeed organic - or was, at one time.

 

[koolpc]

Always a good idea to flush the toilet....

 

[Quartz]

And oven cleaner has indeed done the job on the first box.

 

[Voron]

A bit late, but a paste of baking soda and water can be very effective.

 

[964rs]

I have really got to know why you are storing cans of beans and tomatoes for so long

 

[Quartz]

I have really got to know why you are storing cans of beans and tomatoes for so long

It was entirely accidental. The boxes were at the bottom of the stack at the back and thus hidden so they just got forgotten.

 

[DB_SamX]

Wd40?

 

[b0rn2sk8]

I was going to suggest crushed up dishwasher tablets with a bit of water to make a paste but the OP has confirmed oven cleaner has worked.

Both are heavy duty degreasers.

I’d avoid things like cif and pink stuff on ‘soft’ plastic boxes because it’s pretty abrasive.

 

[SnakeEyes]

Soda crystals (Dri-Pak) are very good at removing stubborn grease/grime/organic matter.

 

[Quartz]

Oven cleaner did the trick.