How to Organize Food Storage Containers in An Easy and Affordable Way (That Actually Works)

Tackle That Tupperware Once And For All! And Spend Almost No Money In The Process...

I had always assumed that the Tupperware shelf was just doomed to a lifetime of disarray. I didn’t organize my food storage containers so I became accustomed to just grabbing what I needed and then quickly slamming the cabinet door shut before everything could spill out. I thought that avalanches of household items were just a normal part of adulthood. Eventually, I realized that something had to change so I stopped slamming doors and started getting organized. I’m going to teach you how to take back control of that dreaded section of your kitchen. You’ve endured your last avalanche, my friend.

This Pantry Makeover Will Only Cost You $3

And You Can Finish It In 30 Minutes or Less

Before

After

How to Get Started

First, Assess Your Inventory

Take out all of your food storage containers so you can see everything at once. Toss any broken or overly stained containers (Unless they can be donated, in which case- refer to the donation links below). Next, match up every container base with it’s proper lid. You may be surprised to see how many random, “homeless” lids you’ve accumulated over the years. Maybe it use to have a match, but at this point it is useless to you so it should be tossed. (I wouldn’t suggest donating a random lid or base, without it’s partner).

Now, I suggest using some sort of separation system that will keep your containers organized into sections. For this I used wire racks that I purchased at my local Dollar Tree. Gather as many as you need to fit your size shelf or pantry. I personally used three of the wire dish racks, and one of the wire cabinet shelves.

Here are links below to the specific items that I purchased from Dollar Tree:

When purchasing new food storage containers, try to stick to one brand (if possible). When all of the containers are within the same “family” then they’re more likely to maintain similiar shapes and sizes. Containers from various different brands won’t fit together or stack as well.

The main food storage system that I use was only $15.99 on Amazon; BAYCO (16 Pack) Food Storage System.

Next, Return To Sender

Remember that rock collection you had as a kid? Well, somewhere down the line we all traded our rocks for food storage containers and acted like it was okay. Quit your side gig as a Tupperware collector and start being realistic about how many containers you actually need in your pantry. You’re not 100% to blame for this though. After countless family gatherings and dinner parties, We all end up accumulating random dishes and utensils. Maybe you took home some leftover 7 layer dip from a SuperBowl party, and the host was generous enough to lend you a takeaway container. That’s all fine and dandy, but now you have a random container that doesn’t fit the rest of your set. It probably doesn’t stack well with your other containers and therefore requires it’s own little corner of the pantry, using up prime real estate. You should RETURN the container to it’s original owner and get it out of your stash, you don’t need it! If you can’t return it for whatever reason, then DONATE it.

Here are a few example of organizations that you can donate to, if you find yourself drowning in excess food storage containers. These organizations will happily accept your donated items:

My
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How to Organize Food Storage Containers