Tips to Keep Plastic Containers Organized

Last Updated on January 7, 2021 by Ellen Christian

I hope these tips to keep plastic containers organized will help cut down on the clutter and confusion in your kitchen. Try them today.

Feeding six people means that I tend to make larger meals and save leftovers for lunches. To make this simple, I have a variety of different types and sizes of plastic and glass containers.

I tend to use the nice ones at home and send the not so nice ones with the kids to work to heat up lunch. 

Keep Plastic Containers Organized

We have a small kitchen in our 1865 farmhouse.  That means we do not have a lot of storage space in the kitchen, and I really need to make the most of the space we have.  

We have one cupboard where I store our plastic containers and lately when I open the door, they come tumbling out on my head.  OK maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration but they are definitely not as in control as I’d like.

Where to store your containers

Keep the plastic containers in a convenient location.  If you have to go hunting for them in the back of a never used cupboard, you’ll never use them.

Make sure that they are easy to reach when you most need them.

Keep only the best

Don’t save every empty plastic yogurt or sour cream container you come across.  Only keep the number of plastic containers you will reasonably use.

If you decide that six containers are enough, keep six and recycle the rest. You don’t need to buy super expensive containers but don’t reuse containers that are meant for one-time use.

Buy the best quality possible

Keep only the containers with lids that fit properly. Recycle anything that has been warped by heat or doesn’t close tightly.

Get rid of lids with no containers and containers with no lids. If it’s so large or so small that you never use it, feel free to pass it on to someone else who will.

There is no sense in keeping things you will never use. This is a great organizer to keep your lids neat.

Should you store plastic containers with lids on?

Use plastic containers that nest together neatly.  This is a huge space saver.  Oddly shaped, mismatched containers take up too much room.

That doesn’t mean that you have to purchase a brand new set. Just be creative in how you stack them. This organizer keeps all your lids and containers neat and in one place.

BPA free containers

Choose containers that are BPA free for food safety and that are leak-proof, microwave, and dishwasher safe. This is one of the reasons that we don’t save yogurt or ice cream containers to save food.

Those containers are often not BPA safe so putting hot leftovers into this type of plastic isn’t safe. You can also choose glass instead of plastic if you prefer.

Do you have any other tips to keep plastic containers organized? Please let me know.

More organizing articles

• Tips to organize your pantry

• Organize a kitchen without a pantry

• Green organizing tips