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Once, when I was younger I was having a small dinner for a few friends and didn't have time to wash all of my storage containers, so I stuffed them into the oven out of sight. The dinner was a success and everyone was happy with the spaghetti and salad.
A week or two later I wanted to bake a casserole and turned on the oven and set it to 350 degrees F. Well, as a little time went on I smelled something strange and saw a little smoke coming from the oven. Well, you can guess what happened. Luckily, I worked for a pizza place and had a large pizza pan underneath all of the plastic.
To this day, forty years later I have this really colorful plastic platter to remind me to check the oven first.
By cecile marie buteau from Oroville, CA
Tips for organizing plastic storageware (i.e. Tupperware, Rubbermaid) from out ThriftyFun community.
By Ann
By Connie
By Denise
By Diamondee
By Tawnda
If you use them for leftovers, lunches and dry goods storage, most of these containers should be in continuous use, therefore not cluttering up a cupboard most of the time. If you only use some of them intermittently (e.g. in autumn for freezing produce), do they need to be stored in a kitchen cupboard? Box and label "autumn freezing containers" or whatever and store somewhere else. Are there any containers you never use - get rid of them. Are there any stained ones, one's with missing lids or bottoms, warped ones - get rid of them.
When you have weeded out the extras store lids, graduated from small to large, in lidded plastic container(s) and bottoms 'nesting' in each other in another plastic container(s). This keeps them dustfree and makes wiping out the cupboard shelves much easier - you don't have to remove every container individually. When you need a container you can take out the whole boxful and search for it at work top height - saves poking around in the back of the cupboard.
By Jo
It helps to put the container away in the same area after unloading the dishwasher, instead of cramming them in the cupboard to "sort out later."
Also I try to store the containers upside down, which looks funny in the cupboard, but it's in case any dust settles or the dishes aren't quite dry, etc. It all drains off the containers or doesn't affect the inside of the containers where the food actually goes.
By Angie
I like to freeze many of the vegetables from our garden, however I don't have cabinet space to store the empty containers. My solution to this dilemma is wash and dry the empty containers...
I keep the lids with the containers. This is just one shelf, the others are similar. Although it's not Tupperware, this system should work with any group of containers.
Use a large square basin to put plastic storage container lids into in your kitchen. You can then stack your containers inside each other. When you need a lid, you go right to your bin and find what you need.
I have a file cabinet in my pantry. I got it from a pal for planning her yard sale and I use it to store my Tupperware lids. No more lids falling out of my kitchen cabinets when opening the doors or unsightly, unorderly cabinets for someone to look in while visiting.
I have many glass lids. In order to save room, I cut a dish drainer in half, just big enough to fit in my cupboard and line my glass lids up in the slots. This way I can stack my glass bowls and save lots of room. I also have extra lids to cover all sizes of plates with.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
We are seniors and my dear husband has agreed to put up the clean dishes. Good yes? But, haha isn't there always a but. When putting up plastic storage containers he just throws them in the area without putting the lids on. Some of the lids I'll never find again. Where do they go? (Like the socks, yes.)
Some of the newer plastic containers we can buy now have the lid snap on the bottom. A good idea, but boy are they expensive. How do all you gals keep track of the lids. It's always something isn't it.
By Nancy from Lewisville, TX
I stack the containers (all the same type together) and stack the rectangular lids vertically, secured between the rectangular containers and the cabinet wall. For the small, circular lids, I stack them together and store them in an old, thin icemaker box that fits just right in the cabinet next to all the containers. The larger boxes are stored similarly in a lower cabinet.
Picture: There aren't many boxes in the cabinet since I made and stored soup today. As you see, the lid box is labeled - for my husband!
I store mine in the pantry where cans of food is stored with lids on each one. They stack very easy, good luck.
I store my lids in a separate containter next to the stacked "bottoms". This way everything is together. I don't ever store the lids ON the container because sometimes it takes longer for the little ridges & places like that to dry on the contairner or the lid. By storing them separately, they have a chance to air dry before use.
Also, about once every other month or so, I go through and make sure I have a lid for every bottom and a bottom for every lid. Any leftovers get trashed. The majority of my containers are butter tubs, yogurt tubs, cream cheese and sour cream tubs. These are the ones I use for leftovers in the fridge.
But I do have others that I have bought for specific reasons. I have some nice square ones with tight fitting lids. I use those for freezing soups, chili in the winter. After the winter season and the soups and chili have all been eaten, I wash them up and store them in a separate part of the kitchen till the next winter.
And finally I have a lot of the Lock & Lock storage containers. Those are used every day to store things in on hte counter. In these I keep flour, sugar, tea bags, coffee bags, noodles bread crumbs, cereals, marshmallows, coffee creamer, stuffing mix, brown sugar, rice, mashed potato mix, hot cereal mixes, hot drink mixes, chips, instant soup mixes, all sorts of things. I also use them to store dog and cat treats. And I found one that will hold a full bag of cat food. Still looking for one for the dog food.
I use a plastic bin with the basket weave side's to stack my lid's. I put the smallest in front and they graduate to the largest in the back. This way I can see them and find the lid I need quickly.
My son puts the dishes away for me, but we solved this "tupperware" problem by him leaving it on the counter, and I do it. Less fuss in the long run.
I stack/nest my assorted pieces on a shelf and put the lids in a box alongside. It is the stacking that my son can't handle, and often the plastic stuff is wet, so it dries off on the counter, and then I deal with it.
I have a huge bowl that I keep all my lids in. I keep the bowl in my oven. It's close, but out-of-the-way. Whenever I need to use my oven, I just take the bowl out. Everything's together and easy to find.
Like Susan, my plastic containers go in a big bowl. However, nothing plastic goes into my oven - I might forget to take it out, lol! My DH and I compromised very well on the dishes thing: he does most of the cooking and chases me out when I try to help. (I should point out, I'm very visually impaired, but ironically enough, I burn myself less than he does.)
When it comes time to wash and put away the dishes, I chase him out, lol! If I wash and put away things myself, at least I can find them again.
I use two bins to keep lids. One for circle lids the other for square lids. I keep these bins on an open shelf. It seems to work for me as I have LOTS of tupperware.
I went to the dollar store and bought 2 baskets. One for larger containers and 1 for small containers. I store the containers and lids in the same storage bin. I stack the containers and place the lids standing up beside the appopriate containers. I use ziploc containers and lock and lock containers so this system is very useful for me as I have many. Any too large to fit in basket I stack by size beside the baskets and the lids go on the other side of the basket between the cabinet wall and basket standing up. This saves alot of room and alot of seaching time.
My kitchen door goes out into our garage. Right at the door, I've placed 2 - 2 drawer filing cabinets. One cabinet has lids, round and square and the other cabinet has round containers and square containers. Very handy and everything in it's place.
Donita from Loveland, CO.
I'm having a tough time trying to control storage containers that I use for food. Now I have to have three bags and boxes to put them in and this has to cease.
Anyone have suggestions? This is in my small kitchen and has given me frustration each time I have to look at this mess.I hear ya!
My cabinet overflows with them as well.
Eventually I started stacking them into a box and place them in my cellar IN CASE I need them. Then I regularly thin them out and donate them to my local church, daycare/preschool or thrift stores.
My aunt, who is a wonderful housekeeper, said this to my other aunt (who is not as good) "Amy, you have too many tea towels. You can't close the drawer. You have to get rid of some." This was quite a revelation to me, as my mom (the third sister) is of the mind that when the drawer is full, you get another drawer. But, this is my hint. Decide what cupboard you are going to use for those storage containers. Go through what you have, keep the good ones that have matching lids. Recycle or donate or toss the rest, depending on their condition. If you need to keep a supply to preserve frozen food in, than have a storage space for those containers that you will use in canning season and empty throughout the year -- a shelf in the basement, perhaps. If you only use them for leftovers, snacks, and so on, you don't need five hundred of them. When the cupboard is full, you have enough. GET RID OF THE REST OF THEM. And they you go, you are organized.
Very frustrating looking for the RIGHT top or size then I realized after using them in the woodshop ,kitchen, crafts just plain storage for years the tops were winning so today all loose tops and containers are being evicted and start fresh. They also helps you become a hoarder for the family. I set a goal of 5 per sizes and the rest go byebye.
I don't use any plastic in my food storage. I use glass jars we have used food stuff out of. Then, if we do not use the leftovers, etc. the whole thing can be thrown out. OR I just wash and reuse. Don't need a jillion. Just a few...
Try double use - store jars, small packets and such like in some of these boxes. Then as well as the unused ones you store (they can be very few ) you always have an emergency supply at hand. Your cupboard or fridge items can either do without, or use a plastic meat tray, they're usually available all the time.
mine was way out of control also... finally i dumped them all on my ( just washed clean kitchen floor) and matched bottoms to tops.. those that didnt have a mate. out they went... then i decided how many i needed and donated the rest of those matched ones to our church white elephant room craft show.... then, i bought one seet of glass bowls with plastic tops. there were severl sized and i am thrilled that it has been working well...
Rubbermaid now has containers and lids that stack. I bought a 38 piece set for less than $8 two weeks ago. My daughter and I shared. Problem solved!
Downsize
I got the kind that stack and have lids that click together. They are made by Rubbermaid. Target had a sale, I used the Cartwheel and a manufacturer's coupon and got a whole large set for about $7! I took half and gave the rest to my daughter. I donated the others. My cabinets are neat and organized now. N
I have a very small kitchen about 5x6. I have absolutely no place to put my plastic lids. I don't have room for a file cabinet; I barely have room to walk around. Please help me with any suggestions you might have.
Thank you.
By Jill from Sioux City, IA
You can find tiered hanging fruit basket for cheap at most places and it can be hung out of the way, maybe in a corner. You could line the tiers with fabric scraps or ribbons or artificial flowers etc if you dont like the look of the just the lids in the basket. I used to use one in my bathroom for towels and sundries.
I like those cute little napkin holders you can buy or you can cover a cereal box with pretty paper, or contact paper and cut it in half and then use that, or you could get a cute basket at the thrift shop.
It kind of depends on how many you have.
Blessings, Robyn
Another solution is bagging them. And hanging up the bag inside a cabinet door or ?. Not really easy to access, but it can work.
I use a basket to keep all tops in. You can leave on the counter put it in a cabinet or even hang from the bottom of your cabinet if it has a handle.
Here's an idea that might work: Get some of the tacky rubber stuff for hanging things up (one brand name is FunTack) and put a small ball on each lid & stick it to the inside of a cabinet door. When you use the lid, leave the ball of tacky rubber on the door for when you store the lid again.
I have all kinds of things stuck on the backs of my cabinet doors with either FunTack or magnets - such as small juice powder packets, sweetener packets, charts of substitutions, a chart of pan sizes and how much they hold, directions for cooking rice and pastas, etc. This keeps everything handy & easy to find.
I also use some in the bathroom on the back of the medicine cabinet door (for the kind that swings out, not sliders) and linen cupboard, for sample packets of pills, shampoo, a first aid chart, etc.
To me the obvious answer would be to go through all those plastic containers, find the ones that will stack together, stack them and put them away then ditch the others. Goodwill will be happy to get them. I store the lids stacked under the containers. I have had to find a very conservative way to store things since I have been living in a small space - 12' x 60' - for the last 25 years. I learned long ago that there is a lot of stuff that I don't really need to keep!
I have too many plastic containers and a very small cupboard. Every time I organize it, it still ends up in a mess. I need advice on what to do.
By Mariya
I've got the same problem. I always stack them inside each other. Make a few different stacks, largest on the bottom.
Put a box in beside them and stack the lids together on their ends.
If you still have a space problem, try separating the containers you use the most, keep those in your kitchen cupboard, and store the rest in another storage location.
I buy my soup container (1 cup) at a cash and carry shop. I get 50 for 4.18 and the lids for 2.86. They stack well, are see through, and come in a tube I can hang from inside a broom closet or store under the bed. They can be used for so many other things, and when something is all the same size, it makes it much easier.
If this isn't a good idea, then find some pretty crates or baskets from thrift stores or the dollar stores. If you have cupboards with tops (not all the way to the ceiling), you can set the ones you don't use much up there. I would put them in bags so they stay clean, and with the grabbers you can easily get them down without a step stool.
I hope these help.
PBP
I use plastic large shoebox type containers in my pantry to store my containers. One holds all square containers and lids, the other holds rectangular storage pieces and lids, and the last holds round storage containers and lids. I also have a large shelf that has a large plastic container that has large odd pieces of plastic storage containers.
If anyone wants to see how I have mine. The containers are stacked, whatever will go into anything else. The large lids have their own basket and the small lids have their basket. If you find you're using the same ones over and over, you have too many. Weed out the ones you never seem to use.
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Does anyone have a good way to store and retrieve these little necessary evils? I'd like to reuse yogurt, butter, and other plastic containers with lids, but inevitably lids become separated from containers, and the storage shelf is a disaster. I just can't justify keeping these items if I can't figure out a good way to organize them. Thanks!
I nest my containers, and keep lids next to them in a small loaf pan. It works for me : ) (03/24/2004)
By Doggy
I agree about the suggestion for storing them. One more thing:
When the storage area is full, that's enough. (06/04/2007)
By Carrie
I would like suggestions for storing Tupperware.
By marina from Great Falls, VA
I keep one cabinet for small to medium size bowls stacked as neat as possible, another for big bowls. Then I have a deep sliding basket in my rolling island and all my lids go in there. Might not be neat as bowls, but they are all there together and easily accessible.
I have tried numerous methods and for me this works. I like it better other ways, but my guys put up dishes and this has been the only way they follow my plan. I like putting lids back on the bowls, but my guys wouldn't do that and I ended up having to reorganize every couple of weeks. If you have room for it try stacking them on their sides in an old dishrack. (08/18/2009)
By christi
I have two baskets that each fit on a shelf of a narrow cabinet. One holds the round containers nested with the lids on the sides of the basket, and the other holds the square and rectangular containers with their lids. Many years ago, my daughter who is now an engineer, organized them and added numbers and letters to each piece with matching cover, which is now done with some companies. I also go through the baskets occasionally to make sure that all bowls have a lid and discard the orphans. (08/18/2009)
