In terms of durability, plastic is the most likely to show wear and tear and absorb food odors and stains. “It’s important to keep track of how long you’ve had a plastic container, as chemicals can ‘leak’ out of the plastic when heating up,” says Leanne Stapf, Chief Operating Officer of The Cleaning Authority. An obvious sign that it’s time to throw out a plastic container is if it is cracked, discolored, or deformed. If you own plastic containers that are not BPA-free, you may want to get rid of those, too. Studies have found that Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an endocrine-disrupting compound, which may disrupt normal hormone functions in the body.

Depending on the material of the plastic container, it may need to be hand-washed. “While most plastic items are dishwasher-safe, be sure to read all labels. Some plastic [particularly thin, takeout-style containers] can warp due to the high temperatures. In the long run, [some] plastic food containers can get damaged from dishwasher use and lose their shape,” adds Stapf.