by Denise as posted in Homefires Hearth - 2001
Used by permission
Ok, so it's probably not all Tupperware. Much of the mess is containers that held everything from Cool Whip to yogurt to soft margarine. But you know what that cabinet looks like and so do I. Open the door and it all falls out. Actually consider using some of it, and it's an all out effort to find the right lid for the right bowl. Some of it is broken, or the lid didn't fit in the first place, and there are the odd pieces that have either a lid with no bowl or a bowl with no lid.
This is going to seem so ridiculously simple that you'll think it's sarcastic, but I'm serious. Get rid of at least half of it. Maybe more like three quarters of it. As we work toward cleaning and decluttering, it seems that some places need to be addressed time and again. The cabinet for storage of plastic bowls is one of those places for almost everyone. Those things multiply like bunnies. It's not helping anything to have a whole bunch of them, though, because it makes too much to sift through to find exactly what is needed. So start by pulling out everything in that cabinet and trashing all of the containers and lids used to package food. There are too many different sizes and styles and it is impossible to keep them straight.
Now sort through all the remaining plasticware. Warped lids, cracked and melted bowls, all go into the trash. Saving those things for "emergencies" only clutters up the storage space. Now put the appropriate lid on each remaining bowl. It's almost certain that there will be widows left. Unless there is a pretty good chance that the mate will turn up, they get pitched, too. Tupperware will sell lids and bowls separately, so if it's a valuable piece it might be worth buying a replacement part. Otherwise, let it go.
This little exercise has probably greatly narrowed the amount of space needed to store what's left. But heed one more culling criterium: How many could anyone possibly need?
Ah ha. There it is. The hard part of customizing. The secret to this problem inevitably lies in how long things languish in the refrigerator. Ninety percent of what gets stored in plastic bowls will go to the refrigerator. Limiting the supply of available storage bowls is a good way of limiting the amount of time leftovers have to evolve into something nasty. If the bowls don't have to sit a long time, they're available to be used again. This is a good motivator to at least keep the leftovers rotated. That's not as big a job as actually cleaning it out.
I found a system that has room for improvement, but is working better than anything else so far. After getting the supply pared down to only the good quality plasticware that also had all matching pieces, leave the lids on each piece. Just tight enough to make them stay in place, but not really sealed. Then, stack similarly shaped items together: rectangles, round, and square. A plastic basket holds very small, one cup or less, size containers because they tend to go everywhere. Everything else is neatly stacked and stays fairly well that way because there's no need to root around.
I did keep a couple of larger food containers, two sherbet bowls and two 5 qt. ice cream buckets. They are a nice size for various uses, stack well, and I didn't have better quality things of the same size. They don't get used often but when they are needed it's great to have them.
There was one last need that didn't become apparent until sometime after this reorganizing was finished. There are times when what's required is a throwaway container suitable for sending food home with people. For these, the new Zip-loc or Gladware containers are great. Once I realized the oversight, it was a simple matter to pick up a couple of packages in different sizes and put those in the back of the cabinet. Because they are packaged to fit well together, they don't take up much space and I never set them toward the front. Nobody else will bother to dig for them!
Each kitchen has its own requirements. The cabinet where plasticware is stored is a bugaboo in most kitchens, but putting some thought into making it work better will yield some needed efficiency in the kitchen. Give it a try!
Notes from Lois:
*Another method of storing larger lids is to stand them on end in a plastic shoe box to keep them organized - keep them right next to the coordinating pots and pans or containers.
*I have quite a few Rubbermaid containers that I use in my husband's lunches for soups, leftovers and salads that he takes to work. By storing them inside each other in a shallow drawer on their sides with all the lids at the end, they stay organized. I also have a long rectangular tray in that drawer which was made for storing audio tapes, but I use it to store those small Tupperware lids--they line right up in there.
*Speaking of Tupperware and lunches, the midget cups are perfect for packing lunches ahead of time. You can pack raisins, nuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter for dipping celery or apple slices into or salad dressings in those. In fact, you can find all kinds of reasons to use them, including trips!
*Be watching at yard sales for Tupperware in great condition to replace warped lids, rather than ordering new ones.
*Rather than storing so many little bits of leftovers in the refrigerator, where they may be forgotten (and look like pussy willows before long), use one of those Cool Whip tubs in your freezer to save leftovers for a delicious "Free Soup." This can include any leftover vegetables, pasta, meats, broths, etc. and will make a melodious stew with great flavors. Try it! If you like soup, you will love this! When the container is full, just heat it up and add to it, if necessary.
*Save those soft margarine tubs, especially the smaller ones and make up your own healthier butter. Blend 2 1/2 pounds of real butter (10 sticks) with 1 cup olive oil and add a little salt to taste. Then pour into the margarine containers and freeze or refrigerate. When a container of butter is in use, keep it at room temperature for easy spreading. Delicious and better for you than margarine! With fresh hot baked bread, there is nothing better!
Used by permission
Ok, so it's probably not all Tupperware. Much of the mess is containers that held everything from Cool Whip to yogurt to soft margarine. But you know what that cabinet looks like and so do I. Open the door and it all falls out. Actually consider using some of it, and it's an all out effort to find the right lid for the right bowl. Some of it is broken, or the lid didn't fit in the first place, and there are the odd pieces that have either a lid with no bowl or a bowl with no lid.
This is going to seem so ridiculously simple that you'll think it's sarcastic, but I'm serious. Get rid of at least half of it. Maybe more like three quarters of it. As we work toward cleaning and decluttering, it seems that some places need to be addressed time and again. The cabinet for storage of plastic bowls is one of those places for almost everyone. Those things multiply like bunnies. It's not helping anything to have a whole bunch of them, though, because it makes too much to sift through to find exactly what is needed. So start by pulling out everything in that cabinet and trashing all of the containers and lids used to package food. There are too many different sizes and styles and it is impossible to keep them straight.
Now sort through all the remaining plasticware. Warped lids, cracked and melted bowls, all go into the trash. Saving those things for "emergencies" only clutters up the storage space. Now put the appropriate lid on each remaining bowl. It's almost certain that there will be widows left. Unless there is a pretty good chance that the mate will turn up, they get pitched, too. Tupperware will sell lids and bowls separately, so if it's a valuable piece it might be worth buying a replacement part. Otherwise, let it go.
This little exercise has probably greatly narrowed the amount of space needed to store what's left. But heed one more culling criterium: How many could anyone possibly need?
Ah ha. There it is. The hard part of customizing. The secret to this problem inevitably lies in how long things languish in the refrigerator. Ninety percent of what gets stored in plastic bowls will go to the refrigerator. Limiting the supply of available storage bowls is a good way of limiting the amount of time leftovers have to evolve into something nasty. If the bowls don't have to sit a long time, they're available to be used again. This is a good motivator to at least keep the leftovers rotated. That's not as big a job as actually cleaning it out.
I found a system that has room for improvement, but is working better than anything else so far. After getting the supply pared down to only the good quality plasticware that also had all matching pieces, leave the lids on each piece. Just tight enough to make them stay in place, but not really sealed. Then, stack similarly shaped items together: rectangles, round, and square. A plastic basket holds very small, one cup or less, size containers because they tend to go everywhere. Everything else is neatly stacked and stays fairly well that way because there's no need to root around.
I did keep a couple of larger food containers, two sherbet bowls and two 5 qt. ice cream buckets. They are a nice size for various uses, stack well, and I didn't have better quality things of the same size. They don't get used often but when they are needed it's great to have them.
There was one last need that didn't become apparent until sometime after this reorganizing was finished. There are times when what's required is a throwaway container suitable for sending food home with people. For these, the new Zip-loc or Gladware containers are great. Once I realized the oversight, it was a simple matter to pick up a couple of packages in different sizes and put those in the back of the cabinet. Because they are packaged to fit well together, they don't take up much space and I never set them toward the front. Nobody else will bother to dig for them!
Each kitchen has its own requirements. The cabinet where plasticware is stored is a bugaboo in most kitchens, but putting some thought into making it work better will yield some needed efficiency in the kitchen. Give it a try!
Notes from Lois:
*Another method of storing larger lids is to stand them on end in a plastic shoe box to keep them organized - keep them right next to the coordinating pots and pans or containers.
*I have quite a few Rubbermaid containers that I use in my husband's lunches for soups, leftovers and salads that he takes to work. By storing them inside each other in a shallow drawer on their sides with all the lids at the end, they stay organized. I also have a long rectangular tray in that drawer which was made for storing audio tapes, but I use it to store those small Tupperware lids--they line right up in there.
*Speaking of Tupperware and lunches, the midget cups are perfect for packing lunches ahead of time. You can pack raisins, nuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter for dipping celery or apple slices into or salad dressings in those. In fact, you can find all kinds of reasons to use them, including trips!
*Be watching at yard sales for Tupperware in great condition to replace warped lids, rather than ordering new ones.
*Rather than storing so many little bits of leftovers in the refrigerator, where they may be forgotten (and look like pussy willows before long), use one of those Cool Whip tubs in your freezer to save leftovers for a delicious "Free Soup." This can include any leftover vegetables, pasta, meats, broths, etc. and will make a melodious stew with great flavors. Try it! If you like soup, you will love this! When the container is full, just heat it up and add to it, if necessary.
*Save those soft margarine tubs, especially the smaller ones and make up your own healthier butter. Blend 2 1/2 pounds of real butter (10 sticks) with 1 cup olive oil and add a little salt to taste. Then pour into the margarine containers and freeze or refrigerate. When a container of butter is in use, keep it at room temperature for easy spreading. Delicious and better for you than margarine! With fresh hot baked bread, there is nothing better!
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