FAQ
More About Our Product Materials
Washing Instructions
Hot or Cold?
Adjusting Clips and More
Replacement Parts & Silicone Recycling
Shipping and Returns
Plastic Free & Carbon Neutral Shipments
More about our product materials
What kind of stainless steel do you use?
All of the stainless steel used in our lunchboxes and snack containers is high quality, food safe, corrosion resistant and independently tested.
Our Blue Water Bento lunchboxes collection with non-toxic 100% silicone lids are made of high-quality, food-grade 304 stainless steel. All other ECOlunchbox stainless steel bentos are made with high-quality, food-grade stainless steel 201 or 304. Both types of steel are excellent for food containers and, with proper care (see below) will last for a very long time!
What kind of silicone do you use in your Blue Water Bento lids?
Our Blue Water Bento collection uses a pure food-grade silicone that meets FDA and NSF testing requirements. The non-toxic, plastic-free material has multiple upsides for users. Here's why we love our silicone! It's non-stick, flexible and easy to clean, and doesn't dry out and crack with use! Our recyclable silicone lids (scroll down to recycling FAQs for more about recycling silicone) are dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celcius). The silicone lids are also freezer safe, but beware because it's risky to freeze in our steel containers. Liquids swell when frozen and if the steel container is overfilled the freezing will split the steel.
Why are silicone lids better than plastic?
From a human and environmental health perspective, we believe that silicone is currently the best material available for snap-on, leak-proof food container lids because it's long-lasting and free of estrogen-mimicking chemicals commonly found in plastics, like bisphenol-A (BPA).
Silicone is a synthetic polymer made from the Earth's element silicon, which is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust and makes up about 27% of the average rock. When mixed with oxygen, silicon becomes silica and is present in nature as sand and quartz that are commonly used in making glass.
Non-toxic and rubber-like, the silicone material used in our products is much more durable and longer lasting than plastic and it does not contain petroleum. Silicone resists degradation resulting from prolonged use as well as exposure to extreme temperatures and can safely be put in the dishwasher or the oven. Although silicone is not biodegradeable, scientists believe the material is not hazardous to the environment nor toxic to aquatic or soil organisms.
If for some reason (very uncommon!) your silicone lid needs to be recycled, we recommend you contact your local recycler to ask if they accept silicone.
Washing Instructions
Please wash all products with warm soapy water prior to first use.
How do I wash my stainless steel food containers?
With hot soapy water and detergent - or in the dishwasher! Do not use bleach, harsh chemicals, abrasive cleansers or pads. With proper care and cleaning, your stainless steel lunchboxes may be used for years and years to come.
Does stainless steel corrode or stain?
Stainless steel is a material that is used extensively in the kitchen due to its general resilience against things like heat and corrosion, along with a pretty good level of stain resistance.
Usually, the chromium within stainless steel reacts to oxygen in the air and forms a protective film, preventing problems like rust and reducing the risk of permanent marks. With gentle care and regular cleaning, stainless steel will often last for many years and resist developing rust or stains!
However, while stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, it's not completely impervious.
If it’s treated with harsh chemicals, like bleach, or its surface is coated with grease or dirt and not regularly cleaned, the stainless steel is more vulnerable to corrosion and wear. Regular gentle cleaning is required to preserve the appearance and integrity of its surface. In fact, stainless steel actually thrives with frequent cleaning, and, unlike some other materials, it is impossible to "wear out" stainless steel by excessive cleaning.
Cleaning Tips & Tricks for Stainless Steel
- Wash by hand or in the dishwasher with detergent will clean stainless steel safely and thoroughly. Follow with a hot water rinse.
- To remove food stuck to your lunchbox:
- Soak the container in warm soapy water and then clean with hot soapy sponge.
- Another gentle but tough approach to removing deposits and stains is to use a baking soda paste. Simply mix a tablespoon of soda with a little water into a thick paste. Coat the problem area and leave for half an hour. Then rub with a damp cloth, rinse and dry.
- For more stubborn cases, a Nylon non-abrasive pad with detergent should be adequate for dealing with most deposits.
- Please note: Water with a high mineral content tends to leave water spots, so in this case, it is recommended you wipe the surface completely dry with a clean, dry cloth.
No Bleach... and Other No-nos
- Bleach will stain and damage stainless steel, do not use cleaning sprays or solutions that contain bleach.
- Never use steel wool or steel brushes. They will scratch the surface of your stainless steel and make it more susceptible to rusting and staining.
- Abrasive cleaners will scratch the surface and should always be avoided.
- Dirty water and cleaning solutions can leave a residue that can stain and damage the surface, so don’t forget to rinse and dry.
- Long-term exposure to table salt and salt and vinegar mixes can damage stainless steel.
- In order to reduce chance of staining, do not allow the following acidic food items to remain on stainless steel surfaces for hours: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and salad dressing.
Are the silicone lids dishwasher safe?
The silicone lids used in our Blue Water Bento collection are dishwasher safe. They can also be hand washed. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach.
In case of food odors, wash the lids with a paste made from baking soda and water. Simply mix a tablespoon of soda with a little water into a thick paste. Coat the problem area and leave for half an hour. Then rub with a damp cloth, rinse and dry.
Hot or Cold
Are your lunchboxes insulated?
Our ECOlunchbox Classic and Blue Water Bento lunch box collections are made with the traditional single layer of stainless steel and do not function as a thermos. They will keep food warm for about an hour. Remember the stainless steel container will take on the temperature of your food, so if you put hot scrambled eggs in, your ECOlunchbox will become hot as well!
Can I warm food in ECOlunchboxes?
Yes, but be careful! Stainless steel is oven safe and foods can be warmed in our ECOlunchboxes up to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A toaster oven also works great! Use over a camp stove is also acceptable. (Please note: Heating over a campfire might work if done carefully, but the fire will blacken the bottom and it's harder to control the heat, so the container could get damaged and we don't recommend it.) Keep in mind that metal is conductive and will get hot. We recommend using a pot-gripper to lift your hot lunchbox.
Our Blue Water Bento collection made from steel with silicone lids is also oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stainless steel is not for use in the microwave. Our containers are not recommended for freezing foods either since freezing swells liquids and the expansion will split the steel.
Adjusting Clips and More
How do I make clips tighter or looser?
The clips on our ECOlunchbox Three-in-One Classic, Three-in-One Giant, and Tri Bento can be adjusted!
Some people like a hard tight snap when they clip shut their ECOlunchbox. But little people often like a less tight clip, so it's easier to open and close our lunch boxes all by themselves.
For step by step instructions, watch the video below.
Since 2018, our clips cannot be removed from the Three-in-One lunchbox and you won't have any issue with them falling out.
My 3-in-1 Splash Box Top and Bottom Is Stuck Together?
Occasionally the top and bottom layers of the 3-in-1 Splash Box get stuck together by suction. Don't worry. It's not broken. Sometime the parts get stuck together due to suction. Cold air in the bottom section sometimes contracts and creates a suction, making it difficult to separate it from the top layer. Travel via airmail or at altitude will also sometimes create this suction when the lunchbox is opened at sea level due to pressure changes.
Not to worry! This is not a defect. Once the layers are separated, you'll have easy use of the bento box and this problem is unlikely to reoccur.
We suggest that you warm the box to increase the temperature of the air inside the lower compartment to make the suction seal less strong. Put in a bowl of hot water and weight it down for about 10 minutes to heat the air so it expands and the suction reduces. Lay the box down on its long side and grap the bottom with your left hand and the top with your right hand - pull apart and gently twist to break the suction seal. If the hot water doesn't do the trick, put into the oven at 200 for 15 minutes, remove with pot holder and follow instructions above to break the seal.
Replacement parts and silicone recycling
I've lost a part. Can you help me?
Longevity of use is important to us at ECOlunchbox. That's why we provide replacement lids in Lids & Parts.
Additionally, we're sorry but due to the varying molds and hand-finishing techniques used in our ECOlunchbox classic line, we are unable to provide replacement lids for our 100% steel containers. We can't guarantee the steel lids from one batch of molds will fit a lunchbox from another batch.
End of life info. Recycling steel, silicone and textiles?
We build our products to last, but sometimes things break. If one of your steel bento boxes gets damaged beyond use, your local recycler will generally accept it curbside or you may drop it off at a recycling depot and be paid for the steel based on its weight.
When it comes to our silicone lids, it's very rare they get damaged, but if you need to recycle a damaged one don't worry. Yes, we are able to recycle silicone. It has low melting points, making it easy to recycle. The process consists of grinding it down and converting it into pellets than can be molded and extruded to produce new products.
Shipping and Returns
How much does shipping cost?
We ship via UPS or USPS. Shipping costs can be calculated from the shopping cart before proceeding to checkout.
Please note: ECOlunchbox ships domestically using the most economical rate available from either USPS or UPS Ground. Buyers who have a carrier preference may use the pull-down menu in the cart to make their choice and accept that carrier's shipping costs. International shipments are paid by buyers and rates are calculated at checkout.
I just placed my order, when will my items ship?
Your order will ship out from Kentucky within 1-2 business days. For domestic orders, we usually ship USPS but you can also select UPS services. Orders shipped via UPS ground can take 5-7 business days depending on your location.
We do offer expedited shipping options upon special request, please call or email us to place your order if you need a quicker turn around.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to most international countries via USPS. It can take up to 2-5 weeks to have your order delivered, depending on the shipping service selected. Please be aware that some countries can impose custom duty taxes (VAT) depending on the order amount.
Can I return my ECOlunchbox if I don't like it?
Yes we accept returns. If you're not happy with your ECOlunchbox, please vist our Customer Care page to read our return policy for items sold through our Web store.
If you purchased your ECOlunchbox from another retailer, such as Amazon.com, please return the item to that retailer.
Shipping misdeliveries, stolen packages, insurance, etc...
Sometimes packages get lost, delayed or stolen. This is disappointing, but fortunately, most of our retail orders are covered by insurance provided by our USPS and UPS carriers (check your packing slip to see what service was used for your shipment). In either instance, our shipments are insured.
In instances of lost, stolen, damaged or delayed shipments, it is the customer's responsibility to contact the carrier for resolution. ECOlunchbox will make every effort to provide any necessary information (tracking #, tracking history, etc.) to simplify the process.
But if the carrier confirms it was left at your delivery address and you still can't find your ECOlunchbox shipment or there's an unexplained delivery delay, please use your invoice and tracking number to file an online claim with the U.S. Postal Service or UPS. Please let us know if you need documentation from ECOlunchbox to support your claim.