A new Decluttering task will be published on the blog each Tuesday. I will share a link to the task on facebook and in the Tuesday Daily Task newsletter (subscribe to newsletter here).
Follow along on instagram with hashtag #declutter52
View previous Decluttering Challenge Tasks here
My definition of purge – sell, donate, repurpose or throw away items as you see fit
The Plastics Cupboard in the Kitchen
I find it’s the one cupboard that just can’t stay tidy… the plastics cupboard. I find that when someone’s in a rush and putting away the clean dishes the items get thrown in, not in the right spot, then it looks a mess. Then the next time dishes are put away things are thrown in again and it gets out of control.
The key to keeping it organised is knowing that really in a rush or not, it only takes a few extra seconds to put items in the correct place, then it stays tidy. Having a few items to help you keep everything tidy and organised will help, you can see what I use below.
Todays task is to:
- Look at your cupboard and see what’s not working, eg lids all over the place, baking dishes not stacking properly.
- Determine what items you don’t need in the cupboard, declutter and purge (please see my definition of purge at the top of the page).
- Remove everything from the cupboard, grouping like items together. Eg, baking dishes together, lunch boxes together etc.
- If needed place a few storage products in your cupboard to help you keep it organised
- Place items you don’t use often towards the back.
- When placing items back into the cupboard keep group items together
I pulled out all the items I no longer want in my cupboard, not sure how everything fit in there before
I use two of the Ikea Variera shelf inserts at the back of the cupboard to store items I don’t use often and to easily be able to see whats back there, it also makes it easier to reach and grab. These shelves are super cheap $5.95 each.
I use this 2 tier basket from Big W to hold all my lids. Keeps them all contained and tidy.
For all the little bits and pieces such as dip containers and plastic cutlery the kids use for school I keep in this plastic 4 drawer unit, I found this at Bunnings a few years ago.
Finally, I use a basket which I found at the Reject Shop a few years ago to keep all my baking dishes from falling everywhere
What items are you purging from your plastics cupboard today?
I would like to see a photo of your purge pile on Instagram, use the hashtag #declutter52
Please join the Declutter Challenge, I truly hope that together we can make a difference in your home
55 comments
Ahead on this one. Organised my plastics drawer months ago and have managed to keep it so.
Great work!!
all kitchen cupboards and one of my 2 drawers done. Wed 5th Feb sees a mammoth load going to charity, feeling awesome now
That’s fabulous work!!!
I use a dish rack to slot all of my oven trays in. It hardly ever gets messy and the kids can manage it also!! Love it….sorry for the bad photo!
Cathy I would love to see a photo of how you use the dishrack, sounds like a great idea!
did you see the photo Katrina??? I posted after my first comment!
Ah, I got distracted by the Hello Kitty! Very clever!
I thought it uploaded….attempt number 2 lol!!! Gosh it does not look that clear!! Now it is sideways…..argh I hope you can see it!
And you got a bonus hello Kitty…..where did that come from???? What??? Now I am ROFLing……..I give up long day!!!
Love this 52 week challenge, motivates me to just dig in and get things done I’ve been putting off!
I’m glad it’s helping!!
Hi I cant see the photos, any ideas ?
Hi Cath – I often find that when the page first loads I can’t see the photos either, however if I then refresh the page they magically appear. Not sure if it will work for you but may be work a try!
Oops – I meant worth a try.
I am also ahead….I got a new kitchen last year so have had to purge heaps of stuff…..only have drawers for storage….still finding my way as it is totally different after 35 years with my old kitchen
35 years is a long time to get set into habits. Good luck!
What are you doing with the purged TW Kat? Are you putting the fridgesmarts back in the fridge?
I have plastics drawers that seem to just get jumbled all the time. Any ideas to keep them in order?
Use baskets to corral them into groups.
Im the same as Kelee. I have a drawer, did get a tupperware lid holder, but still can never match things up easily…..any ideas or tips for a drawer?
Use baskets to corral them together.
Gosh I wish my cupboard doors opened up like that!! The way my doors open up is terrible… I have 2 ‘dead’ corners in my cupboards…. so frustrating!!
Ooh, they’re annoying! One option is to put in a lazy susan? Or use some labelled baskets so things are easier to find/get out?
I keep the lids on the containers – I know it uses more space, but I don’t then have to hunt for ages to find a lid that actually fits. Also I recently got really ruthless & decided that I’d keep mostly just the same sized items that all stack onto each other. I’m sure I can manage without the once-a-year-use items of tupperware/plastics!
That’s the way to do it!
love the Ikea shelves, we have them in a expedit in my daughters room to display all her lego, one set on top, one set underneath, they are great, so versatile!
They are, aren’t they?!
I am happy to see that I am not the only person with loads of plastic and Tupperware containers. And I also have a whole stack of lunch containers!
They certainly just multiply!
After years of never finding the right lid quickly, about a year ago I made the move to storing containers with lids on and have never looked back. Everything stacks so easily and its super quick to grab the right container with lid.
That’s great you’ve finally found what works for you!
sorry, can’t see pics
Other commenters say to try and refresh?
If I had this much space in my cupboard, I wouldn’t have to worry about the clutter, I suppose. Space like this contains all my pots, plastics, baking things and kitchen towels. Oh, not to mention the bread machine 😉
It definitely is harder with less space.
It’s not difficult, it’s just like a jigsaw puzzle and lego blocks in one 🙂 And it forces you to ask one question over and over again: “Do I really need this?” (And it’s easier to say no and let the thing go 😉 )
Brilliant ideas! Unfortunately my cupboard openings are not very spacious but have definitely got some good ideas there! The plastic container-lid issue does my head in daily
Good luck Maria xx
tip from tupperware that I’ve been using for over 12 months now, if you keep it in your cupboard when it’s meant for the fridge you’ll never use it. I keep my fridge tupperware in my fridge even when empty. this means that there is always room in my fridge for them when I need them (no rearranging needed) and they are already at a chilled temperature to begin chilling your fridge food when you need to put it away
Wow. I like this idea….Never thought about it that way 🙂 thanks
Great idea!
i have done for a long time. It seems much easier to keep the empty Tupperware veggie containers in the fridge. It us ready for shopping day and I have more room in my cupboards.
I have bought a $5.00 plastic lid minder from Bunnings, screwed it to inside of plastics cupboard door. lids all in one place, easy to find, easy to stack away.
Great idea!!
for my Tupperware, and lids from other containers, when not in use I keep them in a plastic basket with handle I bought from the door to door home-goods seller. It takes all sizes and it is more organized.
this is pic
What did you do with your purged items? How do you repurpose tupperware?
You can donate to charity, you can sell them online.
I actually purged my plastics cupboard a while ago. I have found that the best way for me to store containers is with the lids on. This means the container is ready to go when I need it, and the lids don’t go missing or get broken – they take up a bit more space, but it means that I only keep the containers that are actually used.
That’s great you’ve found what works for you! That’s the important thing – what works for you 🙂
a great tip for your fridge containers don’t put them back in the cupboard when not in use, leave them in the fridge so when you get back from shopping your containers are at fridge temperature and not room temperature and you wont risk any foods being contaminated.
I know everyone doesn’t have one of these but, I use a dishwasher rack from my old dishwasher to hold my pots and pan lids.. I am sure I could use it for plastics too.. it has wheels on it and slides out easily. I use other ones under the bed for storing shoes and such. So if you see dishwashers on the side of the road for rubbish see if you can’t grab the racks.