Well, that may be over simplifying it, but containers go a long way when you have an organizing dilemma. Do not go out and just start buying containers thinking then you will be organized. Containers can become clutter too. Here are eleven tips to help you select and use the right container in your home.

Measure the space where you are going to put the container. Measure the height, width and depth. Make a note of the room you will use it in. When you go to the store remember to take these measurements with you. It is so exciting to see all the containers that stores offer you may forget why you are there and buy containers you don’t need.

Consider where it will be used and buy accordingly. If it is going to be out of site, in a storage room or in the garage buy the heavy duty containers rather than those purchased for their looks as well as for their purpose.

Buy containers that can be stacked on top of each other for storage. These would be heavy plastic, or they could be clear plastic bins if heavy items aren’t going to be stored in them.

If you are going to store items like food or water either at home as plastic water storage tanks, drinking water containers, or as an  office water cooler look on the bottom of the container where there is a number in a triangle. Plastic containers with #3 and above are safe to store food items in. Numbers 7 & 8 are best. A plastic container lower than a #3 will leak toxins.

>> Get A Top Drinking Water Filter System Here!

To store china or other breakable dishes use plastic padded containers. They come with dividers for cups as well. After putting the china in the containers then place in a hard plastic tub for extra protection if you plan on moving. The china containers cost about $20.00 for the round ones. There are also boxes ideal for square plates. They sell for about $30.00.

Glass containers are great for the kitchen as they don’t pit and discolor. Glass is not recommended for the bathroom in the tub/shower area because it is breakable.

Linens, quilts, or blankets should not be stored for a long period of time (Over one year) in plastic. There are cloth bags on the market for these items. Plastic sweats which can cause fabric to rot.

Baskets made of bamboo, or wicker are ideal to be used anywhere in the home as they are attractive and functional. They can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth. They can be used for magazines, books, crafts, to give as gifts or to package gifts in as part of the gift.

Containers for seasonal storage can be color coded. Red/green for Christmas, pink for Easter/spring, blue for snowmen/winter, red for summer/4th of July, orange/black for Halloween or Thanksgiving. It is easy to pick the right bin for the right holiday when the bins are color coded.

Cloth containers are ideal for clothing, if storing a valuable dress such as a wedding dress, formal or other type of clothing ties rather than a zipper are best as the zipper can rust and it can get on the clothing.

Use containers to organize all drawers from the bedroom to resource drawers. The purpose of containers is to contain-drawers will stay neat and tidy when there are limits to what can go in them and where the item is to stay.

Before buying any container look around your home and see if you can use containers in other ways than originally purchased. Such as; a jar for buttons, a tin that held mints for change in the car, the plastic zippered bag that sheets came in can be used for craft projects, let your imagination run wild. Do not buy a container just because it is cute or pretty. And don’t buy because it is on sale and you think you might be able to use it someday, unless you use it, it has the potential to just become more clutter.

Marilyn Bohn’s Bio

Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for over two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.

Originally published on SearchWarp.com for Marilyn Bohn Monday, April 07, 2008
Article Source: Eleven Tips to Know Before Buying a Container

Technorati Tags: container, containers, drinking water, office, plastic, storage, tanks, water, water cooler

Plastic storage containers are a versatile, durable, and a maintenance-free way to store all sorts of things from food, to water, to toys.

This age we are living in is often referred to as the Plastic Age, and with good reason.

Plastic has become one of the raw materials that is used most widely today.

Plastic Storage Containers, Bins and Boxes

Take plastic containers, for instance, from hazardous waste to food, they are used to package, store, and hold just about anything.

Tough enough to be stacked and moldable enough to be made into space saving shapes, plastic containers can be used to maximize storage room. The wide range of plastic containers can be matched by the equally wide range of their storage uses. For every storage requirement they are used for, plastic storage containers have their own quality, type, color, size, and shape of plastic. Plastic containers are useful for commercial products, industrial uses, as well as for maximizing storage options in homes.

Most people find plastic storage bottles and boxes very convenient for storing a wide range of things. For instance, all sizes of plastic food storage boxes come in very handy in the kitchen. Some can be used to store condiments, sugar, and flour, while others can be used to keep pastas and cereals. Plastic storage containers are also great for keeping cutlery, napkins, and other paraphernalia that you don’t want cluttering up the kitchen. And, of course, one of the best ways to keep foods fresh is to refrigerate them in plastic storage boxes.

Plastic storage containers are also very handy in the bathroom in order to keep washed clothes and towels neatly in the linen closet. For instance, most kids have the habit of ploughing through towels and clothes and shoving them all back haphazardly. One way to counter this is to get plastic storage bins where washed clothes, hand towels and towels can be put, so that kids can pull out each bin to find the things they are looking for. In the bedrooms, each member of the family can have his or her own plastic storage box that can be slid under the bed, which can be used for storing off season clothing, such as shorts and t-shirts in the winter and warm socks and sweaters in the summer. This helps to free up space in closets and dresser drawers.

Plastic storage bins are also great for storing seasonal decorations such as Halloween and Easter decorations and Christmas ornaments. In fact, separate storage bins can be used for each season. Each of these plastic storage containers can be labeled and color coded, so that finding things becomes easy when you need them. Plastic storage bins and boxes prevent the decorations and the ornaments from being crushed, plus they can be stacked, which helps in creating more space in your storage area, whether it is the attic, garage, or the basement.

There are also plastic water storage containers that come in very handy for storing water in emergency situations such as a flood, tornado, ice storm or blizzard. They come in various sizes and are available in most hardware stores. And of course, for every day use, you have the ubiquitous plastic water bottles that are so common everywhere.

Given below are a few more ideas about using plastic storage containers for various purposes:

Plastic storage boxes for paper: There are plastic bankers boxes that are very handy for storing files and paper. They are stackable, collapsible, and come with handles so that they can be maneuvered easily.

Plastic storage bins for outdoors: While clear plastic storage containers that are stackable are ideal for indoor usage, but colored and heavier plastic storage bins are the best for attic, garage and outdoor storage.

Open plastic storage bins for children: These brightly colored storage bins are available in units that are about 30 inches in height and are removable, hence toys kept in them are within easy reach and are visible.

Lidded plastic containers for toys: These containers are stackable and come with hinged lids and handles, which makes them convenient for carrying about.

Stackable plastic boxes: These come in various sizes and are ideal for storing in closets, or under the bathroom sink, or in offices. The small plastic boxes are great for keeping items like clips, contact lenses, bandages, ointments and so on.

While wooden boxes, leather covered containers, and containers made of woven cane may be regarded as more tasteful, but as far as versatility, durability, and maintenance is concerned, there is nothing to beat plastic storage containers, bins and boxes.

By Rita Putatunda

More info on plastic water containers:

Seed Starting  Green Peony

Benefits There are seeds for any type of gardener. You can purchase flower, herb, vegetable, and others. You get more plants for your dollar. (Join a seed swap or save seed from the prior year for even more savings. We’ll talk about seed saving and … Make sure there are drainage holes in your pot or container. Fill your container with soil, place a few seeds in it, mist or lightly water, and then cover with a clear top or plastic wrap 

Homemade Biodiesel

In relationship to the equipment, you are going to need scales, a blender, funnels, a couple of plastic containers, thermometer, empty water bottles and some duct tape. Make absolutely sure that you clean well

Bottled Water

If it’s unlikely that most people attending your event will bring reusable bottles, you could offer disposable cups that are biodegradable such as PLA (corn plastic) or Bagasse (sugarcane fiber) or cups made with some recycled material … Next, plan self-serve water stations and choose tap water containers. The final steps involve identifying partners to defray costs (e.g. municipalities, utilities, and water filtration companies), publicizing your event 

Going Green with Bottled Water Delivery

Contrary to what the general public often believes, the bottled water industry was among the first to begin recycling plastic bottles. The industry was founded by utilizing the reusable container system of the Home and Office (HOD) 

Drinking Water Containers

We Americans throw away over sixty million plastic bottles a day. If more and more people filled up at home by using a drinking water container we could substantially reduce this appalling figure, and be environmentally friendly 

Technorati Tags: bins, boxes, bpa free, containers, conveniences, durable, lunch, plastic, products, storage, store, tanks, water