Not necessarily, but it depends on the condition of the container.
Direct from my business leader: "If something has gone moldy once in a container, it needs to have the mold spores cleaned out before putting anything else in! It'll never work the same again. Soap & water NO NOT remove them -- the only thing that kills mold spores is VINEGAR.
It is generally not recommended to use 20-year-old plastic Tupperware to store food. Containers of this age pose several health and physical risks:
Yes, you should throw out or repurpose old Tupperware. Experts recommend tossing plastic food containers if they are cracked, deeply scratched, warped from the microwave, stained, or retain odors, as these signs indicate degraded plastic that can leach chemicals or harbor bacteria.
For your health and safety, there are some items that should always be thrown out after falling prey to mold damage. They include: Most fabric/porous items. This includes clothing, towels, bedding, throw rugs and area rugs, curtains (and shower curtains), pillows, stuffed animals, soft dog toys, and similar items.
Early signs of mold exposure frequently mimic seasonal allergies. They include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, coughing, postnasal drip, and red, itchy, or watery eyes. Skin irritation or rashes may also occur, and mold can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms like wheezing and chest tightness.
After cleaning, disturbed mold spores typically stay airborne for 12 to 24 hours before settling. However, because mold is ubiquitous, microscopic spores naturally drift in from outdoors and will remain present in your home indefinitely.
To kill and clean mold in Tupperware, empty it outside and rinse with hot water. Soak the pieces in a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach per 1 gallon of water for 1 minute, or use an undiluted white vinegar soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Wash with dish soap and air dry completely.
If your old Tupperware is damaged, stained, or missing lids, keep it out of the landfill. You can mail old containers (any brand) to specialized recycling programs, use them as clever household organizers, or check if authentic vintage pieces qualify for a replacement warranty.
Ziploc-brand bags and other sandwich bags can be recycled with other types of film plastic, including shopping bags, dry-cleaning bags and produce bags. The best place to find recycling centers for these products is your local grocery store. Many retailers offer bins right inside the door that collect film.
To tell if Tupperware is vintage, check the bottom of the container for the exact brand logo, specific color palettes, and a two-part mold code. Vintage items typically date from the 1940s through the 1990s, and are highly prized by collectors.
Anything That's Wet or Damp. You probably know where we're going with this one. "Anything wet or damp is not great to store in a plastic bin with a lid, as this will trap moisture and create mold," Hord says. Let damp or wet items dry out before storing them, or opt for a breathable storage bin material.
Glass is safer for health
Most plastic food containers are made using polycarbonate plastics, some of which have bioactive chemicals, like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates.
Toxic mold (often referred to as toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum) typically appears as dark black, greenish-black, or gray patches. It is often slimy and wet when actively growing, but can become dry, powdery, or fuzzy over time. It commonly grows in spotty, irregular patterns or concentric, circular rings.
Yes, many pieces of vintage Tupperware (particularly from the 1970s and 1980s) have tested positive for toxic heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. These metals were historically used as pigments for coloring.
Both white vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide are highly effective at killing mold, but hydrogen peroxide is generally considered the better overall choice. While vinegar kills about 82% of mold species, hydrogen peroxide kills a wider variety, acts as a natural bleaching agent to remove stains, and lacks the harsh, lingering smell of vinegar.
No, 50-year-old (vintage) Tupperware is not safe to use for food storage. Experts strongly advise retiring these older pieces to prevent potential exposure to toxic chemicals and bacteria.
Yes, you can safely reuse Tupperware if it had mold in it, provided the container is made of glass or unblemished, hard plastic. Discard containers with deep scratches or cracks as they harbor bacteria.
Old Tupperware should be thrown out if it shows signs of damage, has persistent stains and odours, is made with BPA, or is no longer functional. Containers with cracks, chips, scratches, or warping, can harbour bacteria and may leach chemicals into food.
The first signs of black mold poisoning (or mold toxicity) typically mirror common allergy or cold symptoms. These can include:
No, mold does not go away if it dries out. While lack of moisture stops active growth, the mold simply goes dormant and can reactivate as soon as water is reintroduced. Furthermore, dried mold and dead spores remain toxic and can still trigger allergic reactions or asthma.
To kill mold odors, you must eliminate the source and neutralize airborne spores. Use a DIY spray of equal parts white vinegar and water, or 3% hydrogen peroxide, to kill the mold. Follow up by placing bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal in the space to absorb lingering smells.
Additionally, spraying a solution of equal parts vinegar and water or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution into the air can help to kill airborne mold spores.
In A Nutshell: Misconceptions About Mold
Your home can be 100% mold-free: No, there are always mold spores in the air. Anyone can effectively remove mold: No, you need professional services for that.
Yes, mold will return after cleaning if you only treat the surface and do not fix the root cause. Mold is a living fungus, and cleaning merely removes the visible growth. If its ideal environment—dampness, poor airflow, and a food source (like drywall or wood)—remains, spores will quickly settle and form new colonies.