My sidekick, Lil’ Chu, is convinced that her dishwasher “eats” her food storage containers. Although it isn’t true, it’s common in many households to have mismatched lids and bottoms. I show one simple organizational solution in our latest video and provide many more below.

Declutter and Downsize

Go through the kitchen and collect all of your food storage containers in one spot. Take note of any containers you have in the fridge or freezer to account for them when you are deciding what to keep and what to toss.

Get rid of all those containers and lids that are broken, warped, stained, smelly, or won’t close properly. Recycle yogurt and margarine tubs because this type of plastic shouldn’t be used in the microwave or placed in the dishwasher.

Put lids on every container. Set aside any containers without lids or lids without containers. Hold onto them for a week or so in case a mate reappears. If not, then let them go.

Decide What to Keep

It’s time to place some limits on the types of food storage containers you have. Consider what you will be storing and the purpose of each kind of container – school/work lunches, storing leftovers, stocking the freezer. Keep enough of each type to suit your needs.

For example, keeping two days’ worth of lunch containers will give you extra time to wash them before repacking the next lunch. If you cook meals (or parts of) several weeks in advance, you may need more containers as some will always be in the freezer.

When deciding what to keep, remember that transparent containers allow you to see what is inside. Also, containers that are the same size stack nicely in the fridge and nest to save space in the cupboard.

For those who like reusing instead of recycling, lid-less containers can serve as drawer organizers or small baskets to corral other items. Lids can be useful as spoon rests, palettes for kids’ painting projects, or place them under the honey pot to catch drips, etc. Be careful not to accumulate too many orphans, though. Limit your “reuse” collection to one or two of each.

Organizing Food Storage Containers

Now that you have sorted your containers, it’s time to arrange them in your kitchen. Designated storage areas will make it easier to find the containers you need when you need them. Depending on your kitchen layout, you can have one storage area for all of your containers. Or you might decide to store the ones for lunchboxes in one cupboard and those for leftovers in another cabinet or drawer.

As I demonstrate in the video, nestle all your containers inside each other, especially if space is limited. Then, store all of the lids in one of the larger containers (or an orphaned one).

You could also sort lids by size and store them in a letter sorter, magazine holder or even reuse an empty cereal box. Ready-made lid organizers are also available.

An alternative is to place same-sized containers, along with their lids, in a basket. Then, place the basket in a drawer or cupboard. If you’re storing them in a drawer, use a drawer divider to separate lids from bottoms. Shelf Genie Vancouver can create a custom drawer solution for you if you are in the market for a kitchen upgrade.

For glass storage containers that do not nest well, consider using shelf expanders to maximize your cupboard space.

Maintenance

Every so often, maybe three or four times per year, quickly go through your containers and lids and ensure each one still has a mate. If you find that you need to “re-organize” more frequently, analyze your storage area to make it easier to put clean items away in their designated spots. It may take a bit of time, and several adjustments, to create the best system for your household.

If you want ideas and tips to deal with food storage containers or need other organizing solutions, contact the Out of Chaos team through our website.

Many thanks to the video production team!

• Dusty Hagerud of Color Sound Lab
• Tara Travis Voice Artist
• Danielle Turner of Velvet Pumpkin Productions

Video Transcript

Linda: What are you doing, Lil’ Chu?

Lil’ Chu: Oh, I can’t find the bottom of this container lid?

Linda: Again? What is it your dishwasher eating them or what?

Lil’ Chu: Probably!

Linda: Well, here’s what I always recommend. This is what I do in my own home. Match all your bottoms. Match all your lids. Get your all bottoms together. Nestle them together. Place them in your cupboard drawer. And the best thing is, take the largest container that you have. Get all your lids together nestled them together. Like with like. You’ll never lose a bottom or a top again!

Lil’ Chu: Brilliant! Now, where’s the bottom of this one?

Linda: I don’t know. We might have to discard that one.

Lil’ Chu: Meh.