How to Organize Your Food Storage Containers 

I love this method and FINALLY converted my mom to this method over the summer. She’s sooo much happier and we got rid of three paper grocery bags full of unneeded containers.

Is it bothering anyone else that the square one and round one are on top of the "wrong" stacks? Just me? I love this method, Dana. You and our other TYHB friends have changed my life.

I initially thought that "clutter threshold" meant "how much clutter can I deal with?" 😄 When I moved into my new place, I finally understood what a clutter threshold REALLY is! Apparently, mine is much less than I thought, but I really had to experience this to understand it. Thank you, Dana!!

Can confirm - this WORKS! I think this was the first of your suggestions I implemented when I found you and it's still going strong. When my Mom visited she told my Dad, "She's SO organized! You should see her tupperware!" I don't think I've EVER been called organized in my life (much less by my Mom lol)! I felt a bit like an imposter but hey, I'll take it. My containers are, indeed, organized!

It must be absolute KISMET that you did this video TODAY! Yesterday, I was trying (for I'm sure, my 12th time) looking for a lid to a square plastic container. In frustration, I tossed it in the recycle bin & announced to anyone within earshot: "If it doesn't have a lid, it needs to GO!" 😁 Also, we have WAY to many of one size nobody EVER uses. Once we (meaning "I") match all the containers & lids, any excess will be taken to the animal shelter. Dana, you're SO helpful to those of us who are totally like you (personality wise!) and to many others who aren't! Thank you!! 💟

When I first started watching your video, I thought ‘no way’ will all of my containers fit with their lids on and YES, they ALL fit! WOW! I’m in heaven right now!

Also clear containers in the fridge helps me avoid science projects!! I recently got the glass bowls that all nest with the lids on because I have very little room. I love it!

This method works really well for me! About a year ago, I decluttered my kitchen cabinets and got rid of a lot of containers. I started storing the containers with the lids on them. It's made a big difference!

Thanks to you, I have adopted this. It is so easy. Instead of getting rid of my excess containers to donation, I just gave them away with goodies in them with instructions - Do Not Return Container. Win Win. You ROCK, Dana. Have my timer set to watch you three dynamic ladies today concerning Christmas decor.

im a guy and i love this video. fantastic thought process and reasoning. will be using this method now, thanks!

Seriously so thankful for you. ❤ I'm listening through Decluttering at the Speed of Life & I actually remember so much of the book & I feel certain it's because of your specific stories, like the shoe shining kit & the dining tables & the claw foot tub. You're really doing a great job & making an impact on lives. ♥️ May God continue to lead you & bless you.

This is the lesson that spurred my complete kitchen declutter about a year ago. I owned enough containers to fill two refrigerators with leftovers. And I could keep track of them and store them well enough that they didn't cause a crapalanche. But that meant I could go a LONG time without cleaning the fridge. Which made me put it off because it was gross (I'd go 6-8 months...I know thats horrible). Since I decluttered containers and started storing them this way, I've cleaned out the fridges probably 4 or 5 times in the last year. They are needing it again, and I'm thinking of moving the containers to a different cabinet (think: smaller container) to limit the amount even further.

When I first heard you say to store containers with the lids on, I was appalled! Horrified! Then two weeks later a tsunami of Tupperware fell on my head and I was done. Matched lids to containers and decluttered. We now have 4 sandwich size, 3 one-serving, 2 two-serving, and 2 round for liquids. Fits just right in the cabinet. In fact I could probably get rid of one of each size and not miss them. After about two weeks of the new system, Hubs, my dishwasher, said, "This is SO much better!!! Don't have to dig for lids and so much easier to put away!" Thank you Dana! ❤

Thank you for the short specific topic video reminders. I need them to reinforce what I have seen before but get lazy or forget to keep up. 🤦🏼❤️

After seeing this on another vid, and being someone who scoffed, saying it was a waste of space, I am now a convert. I switched to this method a few months ago and it has made my life so simple. No more frustration, not being able to find the matching lid, when I have two containers that look exactly the same but have slightly differently fitting lids. No more trying to find the perfect container to store all the lids. No more missing lid for the container I just filled with leftover casserole. This system works.

I totally want to go back in time and attend one of your Tupperware parties.

Yes! Yes!Yes! No more opening cabinet and food storage and lids flying out at me tumbling to the floor! Do I really need 72 odd lids with 47 containers? Umm No I do not! Thank you so much for this brilliant concept video that has saved future freak out moments in the kitchen. Wow I hope I don't miss that!😊

I just did this after listening to your Decluttering at the Speed of Life book and it's LIFE CHANGING!! Thank you so much for this brilliant idea that I'm wondering why I didn't consider before! I got rid of so many extra containers plus the random extra lids that were taking up space.

This 100% changed my life. No more wasted food. No more avalanches. No more lids without bottoms; bowls without tops. And soooooo much easier.

I heard you say this 2 years ago and it permanently changed my kitchen cupboard. Thank you.

Good morning from Scottsdale. Unfortunately I am the home cook who does use many serving sized freezer containers. I make batches of chili or chicken enchiladas soup, etc. then freeze in individual servings. Great for lunch in fall and winter. I have the designated deep drawer and it is very organized. Just my thing. I have told my 60yo nephew,who was setting up his first home and is a fabulous cook, your secret container storage method. He loves it!

The crapalanche I have been avoiding! This is a sign lol divine intervention

After 20 years of fumbling with assorted glass baking dishes in my narrow cupboard, I decluttered them all. I then purchased 2-9x13 and 2- 8x8 Pyrex because that’s what fits and that’s what I use. I store them with lids on it’s amazing. I fully admit that sometimes I just open the cupboard because it’s so pretty and orderly.

most helpful tip i've seen, it's more catered to the personality type of someone who would benefit from the hands off, easy method of grabbing and going instead of digging all around for matching lids. drives me absolutely insane!

This is one of the best ideas I have gotten from you!!! Wow! Problem permanently solved!! Thank you!

I have a hybrid system of storing ones like you and then I also keep stacked ones (with lids in a container) for freezing. Mainly it's produce out of the garden that gets frozen. But stacking definitely lets you know exactly what you have in your space.

I did this about a year ago. Totally works.

your are right and having a designated spot for them is a must. I make a lot of my meals ahead of time for work so I like the lunch-size Pyrex glass storage ones as I can cook - freeze - take out what I need - microwave and when I'm done, wash and store (with lids on) in a designated spot so I know right where to go and if when the area starts filling up it means I need to make some more meals -works for me.

We use our storage containers for freezing stuff, so we need lots of them (and there’s only very few that we actually can use for the fridge ;-). However, we keep the containers in a drawer, containers and lids stacked. No searching, no digging required, nothing can fall from a shelve. I love it! EDIT: We only use one make and three sizes of containers, which makes taking out the right sized lid easy.

Yes! This is one of my current problems and this month I am working on decluttering my kitchen. I’ve been avoiding my container cabinet because it is so bad. But I’m going to tackle it like you did. I’m so tired of always searching for the right lid!

Like most I was reluctant to use this method. But… I LOVE it!! It always looks neat, never hunting around for a lid! 💥

Storing containers with lids is a game changer. I have been doing this since the first time you introduced it and it works. I have never run out. When they get low I have to serve a dinner of leftovers. They all fit on one shelf. I have plastic give away containers (all the same kind that nest) on a different shelf. Thank you!🎉❤🙏

I did the same thing a few years ago and it made a massive difference.

I was just going through my cupboard yesterday and thought "I need to deal with this" but closed the door and said later. This method would work so much better for me. Thank you for sharing

Crap-alanche! This is why we love you.

I did this a few years ago and have not gone back. At first I didn’t think they would all fit, but they did. It looks so much better now and it’s not frustrating. I would recommend it to everyone.

When I first heard you say this around a year and a half ago, I was skeptical. We started doing this about 9 months ago. It really works and it works really well. We truly need fewer of these than we think. It does really save on rotten food. I am converted, never going back.

This concept was a game changer for me! I do not like digging. I need quick easy grab and go. I started using this method about 2 years ago and I will never go back! 😊

I have a lot of containers, use to sell Tupperware so, those stay as they were not cheap! But I have a system where the lids are in there own space (square and round) and the bottoms are stacked together! I go through periodically and match them up so there’s no randoms around! Although I use the bottoms as containers too!

I need to do this!

Very lucid and helpful advice. Thanks!

Great advice and llogic.explained it so well.

I love this method. I store mine in a bin on a shelf, all willy-nilly, but it doesn't matter because the kids are ON. Put the lid on, throw it in the bin. If the bin is overflowing, I get rid of some.

My daughter introduced this idea to me last year, and like others have said, it propelled me forward to dramatically simplify my kitchen! I have one small-ish lower cabinet that houses my remaining bakeware and (maybe 10) food storage containers. Nothing gets weird in my fridge anymore, because as soon as the containers get low I’m reminded to check the fridge! 🤯 Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Hi Dana, I have finally decided to tackle the food storage nightmare that I have going on & have pulled everything out of the cabinet. (I have more in the fridge full of various “science experiments”). I can’t wait to try your method and make my life simpler. Thank you!

100% agree. My mom did this with hers, but I did not recognize her genius at the time. I reorganized my food storage cabinet for the millionth time just today because my husband, who is the usual emptier of the dishwasher, has no concept of nesting like with like. It's a constant source of frustration- but no more. I surrender. Thank you, Dana K.!

I, too, have switched to your method! Neat, orderly, works!!!

I started this method two years ago and love it. I wish my daughters would switch to it. One has a deep drawer with lids and bowls askew. The other has a cabinet where the lid you want may be in the very back. She doesn’t have pull out shelves! I sent this to them in hopes they will like Dana’s method!!

Life changing. Thank you for posting this. I rearranged my storage container cabinet yesterday evening after watching this and was shocked to find out I was missing 4 lids from my "expensive" glass containers. Seriously...where do they go? Fortunately I have some silicone lid covers that work really well for this purpose, so I don't feel like I have to get rid of them, but no wonder I would spend an inordinant amount of time going through my containers and lids EVERY TIME I was putting food away. What a time saver! AND somehow, no wasted space. Everything fit as well, actually BETTER than they did when I was stacking them. Genius!

When I put all the lids on and tried to store them in their "home", barely none would fit back in there. SO Here's how I decided HOW many containers to keep. Ate up all leftovers, fruit and veggies, washed all containers so all of them were clean at one time. On clean fridge day (the day before we grocery shop when that fridge is the most empty), I took them and placed them in my fridge, yes the empty clean containers with lids, I stacked them just how I would with fruit, leftovers or veggies. Then I kept one larger one that stays on the container w/ cookies, bars etc.ALL THE REST WERE DONATED. I mean why have them if they won't even fit in the fridge, I thought. I did put 2-3 in TWT bin for when our elderly friend comes over and we send leftovers home with him-- THEN he said how bout I bring my own leftover containers, then I won't have to worry about getting your nice containers back to you. TWT went to Charity. Problem solved.

I have to say, I really enjoy your videos, but I LOVE your credits SO much...always so witty. Thanks for making me smile. 😊

I’m a very visual person and can’t stand to have messes around my home or behind cupboards, closets, and drawers. However, I have learned some very helpful tips watching you. Even though my cupboard was controlled with stacked containers and lids contained all together, keeping lids on their containers is so, so much better, saving time and the frustration of finding the right lid. Your very most helpful tip for me, for sure! Thanks!

OK. I'm short, single and have more containers than a family of 4 should have. Opening The Door just a little to get something was real. I tried your method and I love it so much!! Now, I'm not a waster and I could recycle the ones that don't fit now in the cupboard. However, I'm boxing the rest up to put in the shed with the extra plates, utensils, etc I don't need now. Sometimes a container will split or break and I get one out of the box of the size I need. Sometimes I'm tired of using a pattern of dishes so I'll go into the box and switch them out with other patterns I have. Just A couple at a time because I don't need a whole set. Then I'm happy because they are dishes I really like using and looking at and it feels like Christmas. I have the space for my extras in the shed. I also grow vegetables so old containers are used for growing seedlings. When they are too trashed they go into the recycle. That's how I'm doing it for now and when I go into a box to get something or switch it out and I get the urge to purge I will pull things out and fill the donate box/s.

I smiled through most of this video. This has been wonderful. 1. I had to declutter to fit my "container". 2. I do clean out my fridge more often. 3. I USED TO leave my containers on top of my counter because it was such a hassle to put away..... I cringe now when I see other people's Tupperware area. 🤣

I've been doing this based on your book and it's a game changer. I own four containers and it's been great. It makes you use up your food so you can free up your container.

I love this way of storing containers! I used to have loads of random containers in all sorts of sizes and shapes. When I put lids on them all, I realised how many I never used. I got rid of all the random ones and just kept sensible size ones. I even moved them to a smaller cupboard space that is easier to access (before they were in a corner cupboard where the lids would wander off into the back corner!)

I implemented this when you mentioned it at some point in th past and it WORKS! I still have a lot since 3 of the 4 of us eat lunch away from home but this idea was a game changer.

🌈💫 I’ve stuck with this idea for the last 3 years! Still working! It is easy to keep up with this idea when I do the dishes everyday 👍

I’m doing this to my Tupperware container drawer right now!

Thank you Dana & great job Reed!

I’ve used this method now for a few years and love it! So much easier to find what I need. Great video!

I switched over to the glass storage containers and it made such a difference for me. I used to have so many Rubbermaid plastic containers over time they get stained, sticky, greasy, and stinky. I would not want to throw them away because they were still "good" but I didn't want to use them because they were gross so I would buy new ones.I do bulk cooking for quick freezer meals so I do save the gladware that sandwich ham comes in but that is all of the plastic storage containers I have.I g

I love this idea for glass containers. It really works well for that. For my plastic food storage containers I have a set that fits inside of eachother. I keep them in a bin in the cubbard with the lids stacked in the same bin.

Wow, that was right up my alley

This is good! I have two types of containers...plastic and glass. I keep the lids on the glass ones, and the plastic nest with their lids in a separate place (but easy to access). I never kept any of the lids with their containers till I heard you mention it. The glass containers are all the same size and just didn't nest well and that was an irritation. But with the lids on, they stack nicely! Thanks for the tip!

Dana, thank you, you’re so right. I’m an old Mimaw and a few years ago, my husband made a deep drawer for all my containers. For awhile it was organized but now they have all hatched babies. It’s crazy in there. I definitely need to purge and do this. ❤

I really like your point about the fridge. I've been running low on containers, and now I'm realizing I need to clean out my fridge.

This method works wonderfully for reducing frustration in the after meal clean up routine. But I ❤ that it also ties the cycle together to help us remember that we have leftovers in the fridge. Crazy how I never connected the fridge contents to that avalanche of lids and containers!🤪 Thanks for this tip!

I love that. Come to think of it, I don't even have food storage containers apart from my kids' lunch boxes. If I need to store food I use a normal bowl/plate with plastic wrap.

Well Said!!! Pat on MY back- I drew this conclusion a few years ago. One thing I do have stored in an cabinet that hardly is opened, is I have dollar store disposable storage containers, just in case. They nestle nicely together and lids are right next to the bundle. Like..I have 5 of them, so no big deal. This comes in handy when I have a party and/or food to give away.

Thank you for sharing these solutions that I so desperately needed. I am a container concept missionary 😄. You have helped me free myself from so much mental and physical clutter!

Easiest method ever!!! Works like a charm. Thank you, Dana!

Totally agree. I have dome my containers like this for about 10 years and it works!

I switched to this method almost two years ago now. It has been so easy to maintain and I never thought it would work for me!

It's true it takes up a lot of space. And I resisted this for 4 years after I learned how popular it was. I am lucky because I was so wrong. [In my case] They all fit. But they do totally fill the space. The reason why i switched was bc i had a set of 3 of the 11 cup rectangular pyrex containers i got earlier this year and we were uing them constantly. We only have pyrex food storage so matching lids was easy enough. But then theses beloved new additions that I nested as I always have got STUCK. And I mean STUCK. And we tried for 2 months to separate different ways on the weekends. Brand new perfectly good premium brand containers. To no avail. And I decided once was enough, never again. I had to replace them and now I am fully on board.

I have been doing this for many years and I know it makes my life much more simple in the food area. Also my husband puts leftovers away right away, probably because it's so easy 💞

I was resisting your way because my nesting system was fine. I love love love your way it just looks amazing!!! Thank you for doing what you do!!! Love you!!!! Lisa in Nebraska

I did this last year and it has been wonderful. I have never run out of containers and it is so easy to put the lid on and put it away in the cabinet. I can probably let go of even more containers because I now know I have plenty.

Dana, your method for storing food containers with their lids on is brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

I really like your containers. I might eventually go with glass. What I've done at this point...I found 1/2 cup, 1 cup, and maybe 1 1/2 cup containers that both stack and all use same size lids. I also found six more larger rectangular containers, also stack and use same size lids. The system has been my life saver, and I've gotten rid of many other containers.

Love the comments at the end 😂 💕 I have a different system for mostly freezer containers because I only cook 3-4 times a week. I now need to declutter those containers. I recently helped with a garage sale and came home with "gifted leftovers." I was able to either immediately put away or donate anything that didn't "fit the container." Thank you and bless you Dana and Reed.

I Love this way. So glad you showed us how to do this !!!!

I love, love, love this system. I have been doing this for a while now it works fantabulously. I probably got this from one of your videos. You are on my faves list. Thx.

I started doing this (after hearing about it from one of your podcasts) to my daughter in law's dishes. It's worked so well that I'm doing it with my own now. By the way, she's living with me and she's a great sport, and said she likes it better, too!😉

I’ve been storing my food storage containers like this for a couple of years now and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s true that this system works. When I got rid of the smaller containers and only used the larger ones, it kept the food stored in them easily seen in the fridge and the food was used, not thrown out because it got lost to the back of the fridge. At first I was unsure this was something that work work for me, and kept the extras in a “time will tell area”, then after a few months had proven that it was a great system, I purged the extras.

Oh man! I’d love a good Tupperware party! Ha! Thanks for all your great advice, Dana!

I started doing this before I found you! 😂. When I cleaned out my mothers food storage cabinet. I hated not having anything that matched. Ugh! Now everything has a top and bottom an no extras. Yay! 🥳. I feel like I did something right! I love and have implemented many of your strategies. Thanks Dana!

I have 6 food storage containers. That's it. It really helps me to keep it neat to have so few.

I resisted this method when I first heard you say it but I did this about a month ago and love it! I can always find the container and the lid with ease!😊

We used to have too many containers and keep lids separate it's was frustrating so I decluttered and put lids on the containers it's makes life so easy at first I was afraid we may not have enough since we do have big family and store foods in the fridge to last several days but we wash dishes every night and I clean out the fridge once a week so we have more than enough containers.

Totally! Ty for sanity! Love your books! Love your videos! Sending blessings galore ❤

Super helpful! I did the lid thing but my husband strongly disagrees... so we have a hybrid of his nested ones and my lidded ones. REALLY love the point of "forgetting" in the fridge and the being in chaos factor when we need one.

This method was mentioned in one (or maybe all) of your books (I have them all), and when I did what you said...oh my word, what a difference!! I absolutely love you. My life is sooo much easier. Thank you, thank you! 😊👍🐾

LOVE this & it WORKS!! I stumbled upon doing this instinctually about 5 years ago when "things" needed to change big time in my kitchen!! Thank YOU for the positive reinforcement & ongoing encouragement as I continue to fine-tune certain areas of my home & tackle others!! 🤗💕

I can’t wait to try this out. 😊

This works so well. I will never go back to the way I had it before. I hated looking for lids.

My mom needs to watch this. Lol. She and my dad have had many arguments over plastic containers. I don't keep too many in my apartment. My kitchen is the one room in my place where the clutter is actually under control.

Oh so helpful to grab and go.

This so works, thanks Dana

Okay, Dana, so I thought this tip was not for me because I have A Unique Situation where my husband brings home leftover food from work in the summer, and we use containers to transport that food. Buuuut I thought I'd go ahead and prove you wrong and try it anyway. Um. Yeah. I stored the ones we use most with their lids on, and even though I still have a stack of cheaper plastic containers that I kept out just in case, we haven't dipped into those extras more than twice. So. I was wrong, you were right, and even in my unusual situation, this tip works for us.