Frugal Storage Containers

[monkeywrangler71]

Who has some ideas for free storage solutions?

As I'm cleaning out and packing I can't help but notice that I use a lot of storage containers that were never quite meant for that purpose.

• I reuse those plastic tubs that salad comes in as bins for things like tape, tools, etc. on a shelf. They aren't very sturdy, but they are a great size.
• I have a bunch of cans from baby formula that I use for screws and such in the work shop. I also use one for my change jar.
• I have a baby wipes container filled with batteries
• Empty jars hold dry goods from the bulk store.
• My daughter kept her bedtime books in a plastic crate that clementine oranges came in.
• My absolute favourite are these plastic containers that we used to get from the fish department at the grocery store, they are about 12"x18" and either 1" or 2" deep, with tight fitting lids. We used to go at the end of the day and get the extras - they smelled awful and had to be washed many, many times to get the fish stink off, but they are awesome and I use them for everything from craft supplies to mementoes. I have dozens of them.

I'm sure most others on the board do this as well, I'd love to hear about all the different things that you've repurposed for storage.

[Libby]

I have a round plastic plant pot from the $1 store..cutesy design, bright & cheery pattern. It holds all my markers in them and sits on my shelf. Functional and decor My gf uses her plant pot in the bathroom to hold her plethora of hairbrushes, one for hair products and a 3rd square one for lotions/potions/sprays etc. Her's are all lined up on her windowsill.

Empty tissues boxes hold my shopping bags, I just cram them in there as many as I can get. When needed I just yank one out through the opening. One box can hold a lot of bags (30?) so I just stack the boxes of bags in my cupboard and pull as needed.

The bottom of the bottled water box - 12 count. These fit perfectly under my front car seats. One side has tools - a screw driver, hammer, gardening gloves. The other side had mini flashlight ($1 store LED one, very bright) and a bunch of electronic car adapters for charging or use in the car along with a homemade mini first aid kit.

[MaryCarney]

When I used to buy powdered laundry detergent, I would cut them down for magazine holders - you could do the same with cereal boxes, covering with contact paper!

[RaineyDaye]

I use an empty 35# kitty litter container (kind with a square lid) to hold my homemade laundry detergent. I also use one with a plastic bag liner to hold dry cat food.

[krbshappy71]

I save back hot-chocolate canisters (the large family size of Swiss Miss) for home-baked cookies as presents at Christmas. Year after year I've done this, the receiving people can just throw away the canisters afterwards.

I use my mom's cat litter buckets in different areas of the house, usually for water-scrubbing situations. One of them I use for storing the hedgehog laundry until wash-day.

I use a rubbermaid tote from many years ago to hold the dog food as I don't like reaching into a bag especially as it gets low. (large 50 lb bag of dog food) I like the snap-on lid to keep bugs out.

We use old fast-food large drink cups as the scoops for the dog food and to water plants in the house with.

I also use and store for future use any glass jars. Right now I have pastas and rice in them and I like the decorative look on the counter.

I use decorative kleenex boxes for hiding-houses for the hedgehogs. I like these because I can rotate them out for the different seasons or if they get yucky. The kleenex are then placed in a drawer in the bathroom. Does that count as storage if I stick a hedgie in them?

In the garage I'm using a hard plastic 6 pack cooler with a handle for my toolbox. Works pretty good, its sturdy and easy to grab.

I'm using a giant pickle jar as a fish bowl.

I could go on but this would get really long. If its around, I use it.

[Sara Noel]

I reuse shoe boxes, Pringles containers (when we have them), yogurt containers (for watercolor paint time) and kitty litter buckets a lot (for toys).

[krbshappy71]

I reuse shoe boxes, Pringles containers (when we have them), yogurt containers (for watercolor paint time) and kitty litter buckets a lot (for toys).

Heyyy, does spaghetti fit in pringles containers? I hate when I open a bag of spaghetti but don't use it all.

What do you guys use for dried spaghetti? (I don't have a tupperware of that size)

[Lady_V]

I use kitty litter boxes for my homemade laundry powders (I have a few different kinds made up -- a super-duty one reserved for Old Man's work clothes, a regular one, and a delicate powder)

Peanut butter and mayo jars are being saved for when we go camping (I will bring rice, pasta etc in the jar instead of having to buy all new food to bring with me and have to lug the unused stuff home)

Plastic coffee containers are used to store anything and everything from hair scrunchies to sample sizes.

Basically, if it can be closed, it isn't food-funky... I find a way to use it.

[savvy_sniper]

Plastic kitty litter containers are used as spacer between sturdy board for shelves in the garage. I have a 25 lb. bag of flour in a (clean) kitty litter container. Some posted on here that you cut a hole in the top of a kitty litter container, hot glue a charcoal cat box filter over it and use it for kitchen compostable material. When full take it out and put in compost pile, wash, repeat.

I get them on Freecycle all the time. I now have a guy that offers them directly to me before posting them on Freecycle.

I have a home business and I buy copy paper by the box. The boxes make great for storage after they are empty.

[TigerGirl1226]

We got DH some boots from a catalog and they were mailed this very sturdy box with a handle. We used one for puzzles and I used the other for storing glassware.

[Liane]

We use sour cream containers, cottage cheese containers and the occasional takeout containers from Olive Garden for everything. The containers all survive the dishwasher. They are great for leftovers, crafts, jewelry, cookie cutters and food that you are sending home with someone. In that regard you are not heart broken if you do not get the container back Also you put out less trash if you reuse it. You can also use the little boxes that jewelry come in in a dresser drawer for cufflinks, earrings, change, stray items. Soda bottles are great for yarn, starting a garden-poke drainage holes in the bottom with a thumbtack. Shoeboxes are great for receipts for taxes, pictures, negatives from old pictures, tapes, crafts... Egg cartons are also good for drawer separators and shipping items that might get broken. I use them all the time for shipping with great results. Broken laundry baskets that are no longer used for laundry can hold toys, books etc. Tins from Christmas cookies or candy are great for coupons, crafting, tools, q-tips. Some are even big enough for spaghetti.

[Libby]

I like the idea of egg cartons for drawer separators - ie jewellery - each piece will have its own home

[baxjul]

These are all such great ideas!!! I feel an organizing binge coming on.

[pollypurebred39]

Libby, I do this! I got mine at the dollar store years ago and it works great for all those taller items that can not be tucked in drawers.

" My gf uses her plant pot in the bathroom to hold her plethora of hairbrushes, one for hair products and a 3rd square one for lotions/potions/sprays etc. Her's are all lined up on her windowsill."

I use ice cube trays to store jewelry. They stack one on top of another and fit nicely in my dresser drawer.

Small cottage cheese containers fit nicely in my dresser drawers too. I put lotion samples, makeup, hair do-dads, bigger jewelery pieces, ect. in them.

[monkeywrangler71]

Heyyy, does spaghetti fit in pringles containers? I hate when I open a bag of spaghetti but don't use it all.

What do you guys use for dried spaghetti? (I don't have a tupperware of that size)

Checked tonight at the grocery store and unfortunately spaghetti is longer than a pringles can.