The new school year starts in January, and so does the daily battle with lunchboxes and water bottles that come home with mystery smells. A little routine keeps them hygienic, and a few tricks rescue the ones that have gone past "just a rinse".
Lunchboxes: the daily rinse
- Empty them as soon as they come home. Food left overnight is what causes smells.
- Wash in hot water with an antibacterial dishwashing liquid, paying attention to corners and seals.
- Dry fully with the lid off before closing. Trapped moisture breeds mould.
Rescuing a smelly lunchbox
Make a paste of sodium bicarbonate and a little water, spread it over the inside and leave it for an hour before washing. For lingering smells, leave a dry tablespoon of bicarbonate inside overnight. Removable silicone seals can be soaked separately.
Water bottles
- Take bottles apart completely: lid, straw and mouthpiece.
- Use a bottle brush and hot, soapy water. For straws, a pipe cleaner or thin brush works well.
- A spoon of bicarbonate with warm water, shaken and left for 30 minutes, helps with musty smells.
- Air-dry upside down, with lids off.
School shoes
- Brush off dried mud first.
- Wipe black leather shoes with a damp cloth and a drop of dishwashing liquid, then polish.
- For takkies, scrub soles with a sponge scourer and soapy water. Avoid the washing machine for glued shoes.
- Sprinkle a little bicarbonate inside smelly shoes overnight and shake it out in the morning.
Make it their job
Older children can empty and rinse their own lunchboxes as soon as they get home. It's a good habit and one less job for you.
Stock up
Dishwashing Liquid Anti-Bac, Sponge Scourers and food-grade Sodium Bicarbonate are available from maxproducts.co.za.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
Dishwashing Liquid Anti-BacShop now →
Sponge Scourers (3 Pack)Shop now →
Sodium Bicarbonate (Food Grade)Shop now →
