Day 15: Food Storage Containers and How To Get Rid of Stains!

What: Food storage containers

Why: Is this not a dreaded one for everyone? I have heard from many people that food storage containers are a stressor. I have always wondered why, but I think it is because we all, quite frankly, own way more than what we actually use. How many times have you actually used ALL of your food storage containers at once? Seriously?

Then why do we own so many?

Do we keep them because they are cheap? Free? A nice butter container? Because we MIGHT use them someday?

Today is the LAST day you will dread opening up that drawer or cupboard with all of your food storage containers because TODAY, they will be organized!

How – 6 Easy Steps to Decluttering,CLEANING and Organizing Your Food Storage Containers:

1. FIND all of your storage containers – even your glass ones.

2. Find the cover for each one
– if you cannot find the cover, recycle that container right away.

3. Check for stains are on the container

3 EASY Ways To Get Rid Of Stains:

• Pour bleach into container and let it soak for 2-3 hours. Pour out bleach. With warm water and dish soap, wash container. Rinse container thoroughly.

• Mix baking soda and water (to make a paste). Rub paste onto stain. Let paste dry on stain. Wash container and rinse well.
• Use half of a lemon and rub it over stain. Put container outside in the sun and the stain will eventually disappear.

4. Set aside containers you use on a weekly basis.

5. What containers do you have doubles of? Do you USE the double? If not, recycle or donate them. If you have a glass one that is similar to the plastic, keep the glass and donate the plastic – glass lasts MUCH longer and doesn’t deform.

6. Decide how many containers you actually NEED. This is a personal decision – whatever you don’t think you will use, donate or recycle them

7. Time to place them back in the drawer or cupboard. I prefer to stack my containers with the cover set loosely on top of each one (prevents losing the cover and no, they do not fall over because I do not own a ton of containers anymore.

8. Something to think about: the next meal you make, double it and place the other half in freezer or food storage containers. Now you have an EASY meal, already made!

Confession Of The Day: I used to keep EVERY storage container I could. Then I started to break the covers of them as I tried to open the drawer (because it was too full). Now I only have containers that I freeze meals in and just a few to actually store leftovers. I can fit them ALL on one side of the cupboard and I do not have any trouble finding the cover.

Clean-up will be much more enjoyable now that you are not wasting time trying to find the cover, find the right dish, and finding one that is actually stain free and not embarassing to pull out when company is over.