This Brilliant Dollar-Store Hack Will Organize All of Your Plastic Storage Containers

published Nov 6, 2023
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Here’s the unfortunate truth about your growing stack of plastic food containers: No matter how hard you try, it sure is tricky to find storage space for it — and, worse, keep it totally organized. Like any home cook, you’ve probably amassed quite a bit of plastic containers. Luckily, we’ve found the perfect answer to contain the clutter. Ready to find out what it is?

Scrolling on Instagram, we recently stumbled on this organizing gem from @kooponkrazykat who spotted this ingenious little hack. All it takes is a quick trip to your local dollar store.

Related: 5 Things You Should Always Buy at Dollar Stores, According to Grandmas

To start, you just need three everyday items on your next dollar-store shopping excursion: two napkin holders and a rectangular casserole pan. Then comes the crafty part (we promise, it’s a cinch): With a hot glue gun in hand, take your two napkin holders and glue them neatly (and carefully!) side-by-side into the baking pan, choosing either the far left or the far right of the pan. Ta-da! Instant plastic container organizer that cost just a few dollars to make. All you do is nestle the same size containers and lids together, and you have the ideal storage station for your plastic food containers.

Tip: You could even skip the hot glue step if that’s just not in the cards. Just nest the napkin holders in the pan instead for a temporary solution.

Credit: Sarah Crowley
This organizer is easy to assemble and just takes a few items to do!

Plus, with the holidays nearing and families and friends gathering, this easy and portable organizer is a quick solution to create a super-convenient take-home station for your guests to share the leftovers. Store this organizer in the kitchen, and once dinner is over, pull the whole thing out and let guests help themselves. This way, you won’t have to scramble at the last minute, hunting through your cupboards as your guests get ready to leave. (We’re betting they’ll be totally wowed with your organized hosting skills once they see your DIY creation!)

Credit: Sarah Crowley
Fast and so smart! Your new DIY organizer is ready-to-go for all of your food storage needs.

Even if you’re not entertaining this festive season, just think of those times you were left hunting through your cabinets for meal prep containers or a way to store lunchtime leftovers. This oh-so-simple DIY trick provides an inexpensive caddy to neatly corral your plastic food containers once and for all.

Do you have other space-saving dollar store organization hacks? Tell us in the comments below.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: The Most Brilliant Dollar-Store Hack for Organizing All of Your Plastic Storage Containers