Plastic containers can be sterilized through a combination of bleaching and heating. Washing a container with soap and water removes most surface bacteria, but should be combined with other methods to ensure complete sterilization.
- Wash the container
Wash the container with an anti-bacterial soap and hot water. Rinse in hot water to remove all the soap residue.
- Bleach the container
Make a solution of 5 percent bleach and warm water. Soak the container in the solution for about 10 minutes.
- Sterilize with heat
Run the plastic container under water to wet the surface. Place the damp container in the microwave on high heat for about two minutes.