Many people will recognize how tuppeware lids get an oily film over
time. It is commonly believed that the plastic attracts oil from the
air, but I find that the film develops even in the absence of oil
usage. I've searched high and low on the web for factual information
about plastic that could explain this film development, but without
success e.g.:
http://www.stainlesswaterbottles.org...plastics-guide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_recycling

I checked out one filmy lid, rubbermaid, which says plastic#4 ldpe
(low density polyethylene). This is suppose to be food-safe (the
container itself is plastic#5, polypropylene, also food-safe). No
mention of secretions from plastics #4 and #5 from the fact pages I
found.

Would someone be able to refer me to an information page that would
explain the development of the oily film?

On Sep 5, 6:35*pm, AndyHancock > wrote:
> Many people will recognize how tuppeware lids get an oily film over
> time. *It is commonly believed that the plastic attracts oil from the
> air, but I find that the film develops even in the absence of oil
> usage. *I've searched high and low on the web for factual information
> about plastic that could explain this film development, but without
> success e.g.:http://www.stainlesswaterbottles.org...stic_recycling
>
> I checked out one filmy lid, rubbermaid, which says plastic#4 ldpe
> (low density polyethylene). *This is suppose to be food-safe (the
> container itself is plastic#5, polypropylene, also food-safe). *No
> mention of secretions from plastics #4 and #5 from the fact pages I
> found.
>
> Would someone be able to refer me to an information page that would
> explain the development of the oily film?

==
Here you go:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4692704_vint...ic-dishes.html

Yahoo is my friendly search engine.
==

Roy wrote:

>>
>> Would someone be able to refer me to an information page that would
>> explain the development of the oily film?
>
> ==
> Here you go:
>
> http://www.ehow.com/how_4692704_vint...ic-dishes.html
>
> Yahoo is my friendly search engine.
> ==
>


Ugh, ugh, ugh.

Before I'd treat plastic food storage containers with automotive
degreaser I'd throw them all away and switch to glass containers
or Corningware.

Actually that's what I have begun to do since I stopped microwaving
anything in plastic.

gloria p

On Sep 5, 9:50*pm, "gloria.p" > wrote:
> Roy wrote:
>
> >> Would someone be able to refer me to an information page that would
> >> explain the development of the oily film?
>
> > ==
> > Here you go:
>
> >http://www.ehow.com/how_4692704_vint...plastic-dishes...
>
> > Yahoo is my friendly search engine.
> > ==
>
> Ugh, ugh, ugh.
>
> Before I'd treat plastic food storage containers with automotive
> degreaser I'd throw them all away and switch to glass containers
> or Corningware.
>
> Actually that's what I have begun to do since I stopped microwaving
> anything in plastic.

Thank you, Roy. What search phrase did you use?

Gloria, I`m not too worried about it if it`s just grease. Some
plastics secrete more harmful stuff.

On Sep 6, 12:50*am, Frank > wrote:
> On Sep 5, 9:50*pm, "gloria.p" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Roy wrote:
>
> > >> Would someone be able to refer me to an information page that would
> > >> explain the development of the oily film?
>
> > > ==
> > > Here you go:
>
> > >http://www.ehow.com/how_4692704_vint...plastic-dishes....
>
> > > Yahoo is my friendly search engine.
> > > ==
>
> > Ugh, ugh, ugh.
>
> > Before I'd treat plastic food storage containers with automotive
> > degreaser I'd throw them all away and switch to glass containers
> > or Corningware.
>
> > Actually that's what I have begun to do since I stopped microwaving
> > anything in plastic.
>
> Thank you, Roy. *What search phrase did you use?
>
> Gloria, I`m not too worried about it if it`s just grease. *Some
> plastics secrete more harmful stuff.

==
Frank: Geez, I don't remember what phrase I used...probably something
like "how to remove stains from Tupperware". You'd be surprised at
what turn up sometimes.
==

In article
>,
Frank > wrote:

> On Sep 5, 9:50*pm, "gloria.p" > wrote:
> > Roy wrote:
> >
> > >> Would someone be able to refer me to an information page that would
> > >> explain the development of the oily film?
> >
> > > ==
> > > Here you go:
> >
> > >http://www.ehow.com/how_4692704_vint...plastic-dishes...
> >
> > > Yahoo is my friendly search engine.
> > > ==
> >
> > Ugh, ugh, ugh.
> >
> > Before I'd treat plastic food storage containers with automotive
> > degreaser I'd throw them all away and switch to glass containers
> > or Corningware.
> >
> > Actually that's what I have begun to do since I stopped microwaving
> > anything in plastic.
>
> Thank you, Roy. What search phrase did you use?
>
> Gloria, I`m not too worried about it if it`s just grease. Some
> plastics secrete more harmful stuff.

The plastic that Tupperware is made of does not secrete "harmful stuff".
Polyethylene has an affinity for organic oils and greases; that's all.

Isaac

On Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:49:24 -0700, isw > wrote:

>
> The plastic that Tupperware is made of does not secrete "harmful stuff".
> Polyethylene has an affinity for organic oils and greases; that's all.

I used Tupperware for years and never experienced anything like the OP
claims. I've asked my friends about it and they haven't had that
experience either. I think the OP needs to use hotter water and more
soap or put his Tupperware through the dishwasher.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On 9/8/2010 1:49 AM, isw wrote:
> In article
> >,
> > wrote:
>
>> On Sep 5, 9:50 pm, > wrote:
>>> Roy wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Would someone be able to refer me to an information page that would
>>>>> explain the development of the oily film?
>>>
>>>> ==
>>>> Here you go:
>>>
>>>> http://www.ehow.com/how_4692704_vint...plastic-dishes...
>>>
>>>> Yahoo is my friendly search engine.
>>>> ==
>>>
>>> Ugh, ugh, ugh.
>>>
>>> Before I'd treat plastic food storage containers with automotive
>>> degreaser I'd throw them all away and switch to glass containers
>>> or Corningware.
>>>
>>> Actually that's what I have begun to do since I stopped microwaving
>>> anything in plastic.
>>
>> Thank you, Roy. What search phrase did you use?
>>
>> Gloria, I`m not too worried about it if it`s just grease. Some
>> plastics secrete more harmful stuff.
>
> The plastic that Tupperware is made of does not secrete "harmful stuff".
> Polyethylene has an affinity for organic oils and greases; that's all.
>
> Isaac

I fully agree with you, we've some Tupperware that is over forty years
old. Plus polyethylene is made from ethylene gas, not straight from the
oil, shouldn't be anything leeching out of it.