When Plasticware Attacks

On November 22, 2008, in Kitchen Organization, by Deb Lee, Certified Professional Organizer®
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It happens all across the United States to unsuspecting families. They sneak up on you and catch you off guard. Before you know it, the plastic containers in your cabinets attack! The ensuing aftermath can be painful to deal with as you can see from some of the photos below. Note: This may be disturbing to some. Viewer discretion is advised.


There is hope so don’t give up. You can get help.

First, remain calm as you approach the plasticware. Take a deep breath and reach in to remove them all from the attack location. It can be scary, but you can do it. Gently lay them on a large surface so that you can see how many containers you have.


Begin sorting and matching lids to the corresponding container. Be sure to check their other hiding places like the dishwasher, fridge, freezer, and other cabinets. Sometimes, they lurk in bedrooms and offices, too. Remove those that do not have a matching lid/bottom, those that are damaged, and those you no longer use.


Note: Caution must be exercised as ALL the containers will appeal to your sensitive nature and attempt to stay with you. This is not an unusual phenomenon but you must do your best to resist urge to keep them all, especially the broken ones without lids.

Seek “professional” help when necessary. “Professionals” can help you control your plasticware and help you find them when you need them. You’ll start to notice how much more efficient you’ll be in your kitchen. Remember to follow these tips to defend yourself if the plasticware ever attacks again.

This “professional,” known as the 5-Compartment Mesh Cabinet Organizer, has enough space for a variety of container shapes and lids. You will find it at the Container Store.


This public service announcement was brought to you by D. Allison Lee Professional Organizers, the producers of the Organize to Revitalize! blog.


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  • Momisodes

    Wow! What a difference in the before and after shots. I’ve heard rave reviews about so many things from the Container Store. I will have to find one near me :)

  • Deb Lee, Certified Professional Organizer®

    Momisodes – Thanks for leaving a comment. Sometimes, just having the right tool helps you to regain and maintain order. The Container Store is a great place to find organizing gadgets, though a lot of times, we already have the tools we need. If you plan on shopping at the Container Store, don’t forget that their 20% discount ends on 11.30.08. To find the coupon, visit my post on 11.20.08 (“Container Store Discount Extended Until November 30th). =)

  • Tea Lady

    Deb, I’m glad you decided to have some fun with your blog. You might enjoy this story. I call it “The Revenge of the Plastic Bags”

    Last week, I felt it would be wise to bring lunch from home because I was recovering from a stomach malady. I made a nice chef salad and packed it and some homemade chicken soup in two of my wonderful plastic containers (from the collection you helped me get under control). I put it in one of my highly valued plastic bags — you know the kind you get absolutely free of charge when you buy something. I have hundreds of them and lately I have favored the ones that come from the Wasabi Noodle and Sushi Restaurant. Tough with nice handles. When I got to work I put them in the communal refrigerator. I waited until I got good and hungry before I retrieved the bag from the refrigerator. Imagine my horror to discover that the only thing in the bag were my shoes! Yes, my cute brown suede booties with the kitten heels that I had brought to the office the day before were now nice and chilly for me slip into. But now I had no meal and it was past the time most places served lunch. I wound up eating at PotBellys and aggrevating my stomach. When I got home and found my nice lunch gathering bacteria in the bag I left in the living room, I got mad all over again.

    So, I guess I’m ready to get those plastic bags under control, Deb.

  • Deb Lee, Certified Professional Organizer®

    Tea Lady – I feel your pain! I guess your plastic bags did get the best of you on that day. No worries…we’ll tackle it! Thanks for leaving comment and enjoy the rest of your week. =)

  • http://www.janetbarclay.com/ Janet Barclay

    This is an ongoing discussion between my husband and me. Lucky for us, we now have a drawer in our kitchen that’s large enough to keep plastic storage containerss AND freezer bags, rolls of foil, plastic wrap, etc. all in one place. It’s wonderful – and no more plasticware attacks! :)

  • http://organizetorevitalize.com Deb Lee

    @JanetBarclay:twitter Glad to hear that you’ve got the plasticware under control. ;)

  • Pingback: Quick Tip: How to Store Plasticware Lids [Video] | Organize to Revitalize!

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