Sterilite Corporation's Blog

My Space Organized!

This post is written by our guest blogger, Amanda Kuzak, Northern California's Premiere Professional Organizer and Estate Liquidator. Her blog, Kuzak's Closet, has been awarded best blog of Silicon Valley in 2012 and 2013. She has been featured in Getting Organized Magazine, Back Home Magazine, and is a contributing author of The Spirit of Silicon Valley. You can find her at www.kuzakscloset.com/blog/

I am always testing out new products to keep my home and my clients' homes organized and one of my favorite go-to brands is Sterilite. One of their latest products is a stackable bin that comes in a variety of sizes and today I wanted to share two ways that I used them to organize spaces in my own home.

My pantry is filled with lots of goodies and I wanted a better way to contain everything. I wanted to use a bin that was stackable to maximize the storage space and that could easily be wiped clean. I thought that the Sterilite stackable bins would be perfect and I also love that they don't have a lid so you can easily grab what you need.

 
I started by pulling all of the loose items that I wanted to organize off the shelves and sorted them by type on my counter top. By sorting the items, I was able to get a better idea of how much storage I would need and determine how to divide and store the items.

When you are determining how to store something, even as basic as pantry items, you want to consider keeping like items together so that all of the users in your household will know where to find things. Since my husband likes to snack on crackers and chips I thought it made the most sense to put them together in a larger bin so he could see everything that we have in stock.

Every morning I grab a protein bar for breakfast and some snacks to have in my bag so I put them together in a smaller bin. I highly recommend moving bars from the original boxes when you put them in the pantry so you can quickly inventory your stock at a glance. There is nothing worse that reaching into a box and finding that it has been sitting on the shelf empty, don't you agree?

I love that these bins stack if you want them to. All you need to do is flip the green handle inside the bin and another bin will fit right on top. The bottom of each bin has a little grove that the handle fits into to keep it in place. Very smart!

The stackable bins really helped to maximize the storage space in my pantry. I love that I am able to pull a bin down quickly and grab what I need.

They also look really nice, not like other cheap plastic bins. We recently had house quests and I was able to pull the smaller bin of protein bars and snacks out of the pantry and leave it on the counter near the coffee pot so guest would feel welcome to grab a snack.

Next I want to show you how I used Sterilite stackable bins to organize all of our dog Harper's stuff. She has a basket that holds all of her treats, toys and medication but it is always a mess. Every time I open it I have to dig for what I am looking for and I hate it.

It's a big jumble. I've been wanting to find a new solution but I haven't found something that was large enough to contain everything and divide it at the same time.

I started the organizing project by dumping the basket out on my living room floor and sorting the items into like categories. I forgot she had a few outfits – every dog needs to have an outfit on game day right?

Next I created a category for her medication, her grooming and extra collars and leashes. I ended up finding a lot of extra junk she doesn't use anymore and it felt good to purge.

The last category was the largest – her toys and treats, lucky dog!

I decided to use a larger bin for her toys and treats because we access them the most. I love these bins because I can wipe them out if something leaks or spills – a nice option that you can't find in a basket.

I put smaller items like medication and grooming supplies in a smaller bin. It will be nice to be able to find something at a glance instead of digging through the basket, especially because she hates taking her medicine so when I need to give it to her I have to act fast.

Of course Harper supervised the organizing project! She seemed to be pleased with the end result and so am I! I stacked the bins and put them in a cabinet in the laundry room so everything is out of sight and out of Harper's reach, but easy to find if I need it.

I hope you liked how I organized two spaces in my home with these nifty bins. If you need to tackle a similar project in your home, remember to follow these steps:

1. Collect all of the items you need to organize in one place
2. Sort the items by likeness
3. Purge what you no longer need or use
4. Find a storage solution to contain what you would like to store, I would highly recommend the Sterilite stackable bins that I used for my projects.
5. Find a home for your storage container
6. Maintain, Maintain, Maintain!

Bring in the Spring!

by Michelle Wood of Sterilite Corporation

Thank goodness for Easter! The holiday always helps me bring in the Spring. Whether Phil saw his shadow or not, we can always rely on that bunny to bring us some springtime goodies.  This year I didn’t opt for the traditional Easter basket, though Sterilite does make many nice baskets perfectly sized for Easter crafts and edibles. Instead, I choose a Sterilite pencil box to fill and present to my little chicks.  The pencil box fit my Easter treasures well and by simply tying a ribbon around it, made for a nice presentation too. It also doubles as a great springtime school item to wash away any of those residual winter blues and give the chicks that added push to make it through until summer.  If you use a Sterilite basket, a pencil box or some other great Sterilite storage container your recipient will not only love all its contents, but its case too!

Happy Spring and Easter from all of us at Sterilite!

How To Organize Your Refrigerator

This week's post is written by Professional Organizer Monica Friel, president of Chaos to Order based in Chicago and Atlanta. They have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Hoarding: Buried Alive, as well as in Better Homes and Gardens, just to name a few. You can find them on the web at www.chaostoorder.com

Your refrigerator is not a permanent holding area for anything, not even those fancy mustards that have been sitting on the door for years! Clearing out your fridge and having the right containers are essential in keeping organized.
If you want to give your refrigerator a thorough clean-out, here's a step by step process:

1. Toss the Tomain. Anything that you’re not going to eat needs to go. Expired foods, leftovers gone grey, anything old is out. Food that is still good should be put on the menu. Have a "must-go" night tonight.
2. Empty completely. After you've eliminated what you don't want, empty everything else. Grab a cooler if things are going to be sitting out so nothing will spoil.
3. Sort. Put like items together, beverages, condiments, produce, meats, cheese etc… Once you have the items together, you can determine the best location and containers.
4. Wipe Down. Wash all surfaces with a good wet rag or paper towel with disinfectant cleaner. Make sure to get into the corners and under the drawers. Removing anything that's not stationery will give you the best results.
5. Contain. Find good containers that will not only keep your food fresh, but will also keep your refrigerator organized. These Ultra Seal food storage containers from Sterilite are terrific. Square containers work best as they optimize space.
6. Maintain. Remember, your refrigerator is a place where foods come to visit. Clearing out regularly is crucial to keeping safe, fresh food available to you and your family.

A clean, organized refrigerator will not only make eating healthy meals at home easier, it can also save time and money. Knowing exactly what you have and what you need to purchase will help make the most out of the groceries you buy and the food you make.

 

Battling the Winter Weather

by Jen Montbleau of Sterilite Corporation

During the winter months, many of us search for ways to keep our driveways free of snow and ice.  Here in New England, battling the blistery winter weather requires three simple tools; a snow shovel, sidewalk scraper and ice melt.  As a New Englander, you must become well versed in how to remove the snow and keep your family safe from falls. Having a few easy tips in mind, you will keep your pavement bare until the spring sun comes out of hibernation.

When the forecast calls for snow or ice, I sprinkle ice melt on my walkway and driveway using a dry food container. I find these containers to be more convenient than an expensive ice melt spreader and it’s certainly better than using your hands.  The purpose is to keep snow and ice from sticking to the ground. Because New England weather can be so unpredictable I like to keep a container full of ice melt next to my front door.
When the storm hits a lull or has concluded, I scrape and shovel as much snow and ice off the driveway as possible.  Shoveling only a path to your car and driving over any un-cleared snow will cause it to melt or compact and refreeze in the form of ice.

Once my walkways and driveway are clear of snow, I sprinkle more ice melt to prevent any further refreezing. As the temperature warms during the day and drops again at night, any untreated areas will freeze back into ice by morning. Having a dry food container full of ice melt by the door makes it very easy to manage icy spots you missed around the entryways, keeping your family safe from slipping in the morning.
When using ice melt to manage your walkways and driveways like I do, it’s important to be cautious around your pets. Traditional ice melts may be a convenient, cheap, and easy way to get the upper hand on the snow and ice, but if consumed it can injure your pets, especially dogs who love the taste of salt. I stopped using ice melt products in my back yard and gave that domain to my dogs. That way I know they are getting their exercise without having to worry about them licking the ground clean. When the season is over I store ice melt in a Utility Can in my garage or basement where I know it will be safe from accidents during the warm months when it won’t be needed.
 

 

5 Foods to be a Super Host

By Adam Saball of Sterilite Corporation

Gear up folks, its Super Bowl season! The game has been set and the cultural phenomenon continues. Since September, 32 NFL teams prepared, battled against the elements and overcame obstacles in pursuit of the opportunity to suit up for the biggest game of the year.  As the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers prepare to kick-off one last time this season, football fans and casual observers alike also have the opportunity to prepare, and celebrate in their own right. The Super Bowl has become an opportunity to dress down, forget about diets, eat junk food and relax with good company. Before the game begins and any points are scored on the field, set yourself up to score points with friends and make this Super Bowl Sunday one their stomachs will remember for a long time.
Hosting a Super Bowl party should be the easiest party you host all year. A good host will have a TV big enough for the whole room to see with an unobstructed view, seating for everybody and arguably the most important necessity, food. Your food selections should be nothing fancy. In fact, the simpler choices are generally better. After all, there is nothing about football that says “fancy”. The best choices are typically those that require a large quantity of napkins or wet naps. If you want your party to be a bigger hit than a Middle Linebacker colliding with a Running Back on the goal line, have your favorite variation of any of these foods on hand:

• Tortilla Chips and Buffalo Dip- In 10 minutes you can make a dip that will please the crowds and disappear faster than the half time show.
• Wings- Be it buffalo, or teriyaki a bowl full of wings is a guaranteed party favorite. I suggest keeping an empty bowl nearby for the bones if you decide to make traditional wings.
• Pizza- Pizza is cheap to order and during Super Bowl Sunday, many restaurants offer extra deals. Cover a few pies in different toppings and let your guests pick away.
•  Slow cooker- Use a slow cooker to make anything! Chili, Beef Stew, Pot Roast, Pulled Pork, etc… Put it together the night before and let it simmer overnight. You will see mouths’ watering as its aroma fills the room.
• Adult Beverages- I’m sure no explanation is needed, however Bud Light is the official beer sponsor of the NFL, and there will be no shortage of advertisements every commercial break. Be ready, be responsible, and if you so choose, enjoy.

When the game wraps up and the party lets out, store your leftovers in the Sterilite Ultra Seal food storage container. They latch tightly so you can continue to enjoy the food long after the stadium lights have turned off. Whatever you do, remember to enjoy yourself. There should be nothing stressful about eating junk food and watching football with your friends and family.

Do you have a favorite party recipe, or a specific Super Bowl dish? Jump on our Facebook page and by all means, do share!

 

MLK: An Inspiration for…Organization

By Adam Saball of Sterilite Corporation

Each year at this time in January, we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Though nearly forty five years have passed since his assassination, the many eloquent words Dr. King wrote and spoke continue to provide a means of inspiration to many. The conviction he held for the cause of equality began an uprising and a movement that changed the country as we knew it. Today, most of us do not have such an extreme cause we choose to fight for, but if honest with ourselves, we all have aspects of our own lives which we can change and improve upon.

In a letter from a jail cell in Birmingham, Dr. King wrote “…the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek”. For a moment, let’s remove the political connotation from his quote and focus on us in present day. If you are reading this blog because of an interest in improving and organizing your living space, chances are an area exists that you feel can be improved on right now. If your basement, garage or home has become cluttered, messy, and unfocused, why not correct it? Be the means to the organized end which you seek. With the proper “can-do” mindset and a little creative vision, you have the power to be the organized home you desire. Speaking of creativity, in the same letter, Dr. King wrote “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that time is always ripe to do right.” Though we may feel as if each day is a blur and at the end of the day we had no time for ourselves, if your conviction to change your space is strong enough, do what is right for you, and simply change it! Plan a few minutes each day, week or month to focus one specific area and organize. Don’t concern yourself with any other area except that which you are organizing. In time you will find everything has been worked on and your goal of an organized end will have been accomplished. You must stop wanting an organized area, and use your time creatively to carve out a few minutes and just do.

Ultimately, we possess the power to be the change we desire. For Dr. King it was equality, but for us it can be as simple as setting aside 15 minutes and organizing a cabinet each night to accomplish our greater goal of an organized living space. Not every cause will be for the greater good of humanity as was the cause of Dr. Martin Luther King, but using his words we can draw inspiration beyond their original purpose for the improvement of our own lives. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase."
-Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Are you prepared for 2013?

by Michelle Wood of Sterilite Corporation

We survived the Mayan apocalypse, so now it’s time for a new year and a new beginning. Are you prepared? For many, January can be a harsh month with winter storms and power outages, and there are many potential unknowns beyond January that are worth spending some time preparing for in order to keep you and your loved ones safe. Make a point of starting the new year on the right foot by assembling an emergency preparedness kit using Sterilite storage products.


My emergency kit is assembled into a 22 Gallon Latch Tote. Here are the essentials plus a few other ideas to consider:

• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation; or at least one gallon of water in a reusable container and purification tablets.
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Freeze dried and canned goods work well, just be sure to keep them up to date. You can even buy full meals in chewable tablet form for better space saving.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit with emergency blanket
• Whistle to signal for help. Flares can also be handy.
• Dust mask for all family members to help filter contaminated air
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to help create a shelter and other building and repair uses
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Multitool, or at the very least a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, a knife and can opener.
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Local maps
• Cell phone with charger, inverter or solar charger (Even if it is an old cell phone that you no longer have coverage on, you can still use it for 911 calls)
  

Once you have gathered the supplies for a basic emergency kit, you may want to consider adding the following items:

• Prescription medications and glasses (having an old pair of glasses is better than none!)
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a watertight, portable container. The Sterilite Ultra•Seal™ 16.0 cup rectangular food storage container is perfect for this use. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book 
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire extinguisher
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Car Essentials (jumper cables, tire inflator, emergency equipment)
• Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children (I used a pencil box to keep these organized in my preparedness kit)

We all hope that the time spent preparing will be in vain and that the future is clear of disaster, but if that storm or other catastrophe presents itself, you will be very happy to have your emergency preparedness kit packed and on hand!

Wishing you and your family and happy and safe new year from your Sterilite bloggers.

Christmas Clean-Up

This week's post is written by Professional Organizer Monica Friel, president of Chaos to Order based in Chicago and Atlanta. They have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Hoarding: Buried Alive, as well as in Better Homes and Gardens, just to name a few. You can find them on the web at www.chaostoorder.com.

The holidays are officially over and it's time to pack up all of the holiday décor. Here are some steps to take to make sure your holiday decorations are properly put away:

1. Before you start taking things down, take photos of the room you've decorated. Print and place a photo right inside the box, or on the outside so you can quickly see the contents.
2. Take a look at the spaces in which you store your decorations. Are they all in one convenient place or are they scattered around the house? If possible, store all your holiday items together.
3. Choose good containers. These Christmas-colored storage boxes are stackable, durable and water resistant. It's also nice and obvious what holiday the boxes are for. They come in three different sizes and are good to contain everything from the ornaments to the tree!

Protecting Your Holiday Treasures

by Jen Montbleau of Sterilite Corporation

The holidays are wrapping up and it's time to take down and store your winter wonderland. Now is the perfect time to get organized and de-clutter as you pack away your home's festive trimmings.

As the glittering holiday centerpiece in many homes, today's Christmas trees proudly wear dancing lights, musical ornaments and glimmering garland. Each tree is as unique as the family that decorates it, but no matter the differences, we all want to keep our ornaments in good condition for the next holiday season. Using a solid plastic container is very important when packing away your precious ornaments. The compartments in the Ornament Case cradle larger ornaments, preventing them from emerging with scratches or chips.

Tip: Do you have smaller ornaments that you like to hang on your tree? If you don't have proper storage boxes for them, consider keeping them safe by storing them in an egg carton. Use a rubber band to secure the carton shut and stack them into a plastic storage tote to keep them safe.  Also, if you decorate your tree with ribbon, try wrapping your ribbon around an empty paper towel roll and securing it with a pin to save it for next year.


The most important thing about storing lights and garland is making sure you keep them from getting tangled thereby preventing a hassle next Christmas. A clever way to store lights and garland is to wind them around a sturdy sheet of cardboard. Try using some of the shipping boxes from all your on-line gift purchases. Wrap a single strand of lights around a sheet of cardboard, cutting slits to secure both ends. Then stack them neatly in your Christmas-colored tote for next year.

Tip: When decorating next season, try unwrapping them from the cardboard as you walk around the tree.


Artificial Christmas trees are durable by design, though that doesn't mean that they don't require a little care. Most come with instructions on the correct way to set them up for the holidays, but there are usually no directions for proper storage.

After you have removed all of your decorations, here are a few simple things you should do if you have a pre-lit artificial tree:

1. Locate and replace broken or burned-out lights. The more lights that are not working on a light string, the more electricity the working lights have to consume. This will permanently damage the working lights and give them a brown tint.
2. Try to compress the branches of the tree so you don't damage them when you place the tree into a smaller space for storage.
3. Fold in your branches toward the center pole and wrap the bottom and middle sections with twine or a cloth covered bungee cord to further compress the tree. You do not want to make it too tight but just a little compression makes storage easier.

Stored in a sturdy tote, your artificial Christmas tree will be safe for the rest of the year and good as new when the holidays come around.


As you work, evaluate all of your holiday decorations. Consider donating anything you didn't use this year and throw away anything that is damaged. Most people have limited floor space so whether in an attic, garage, closet, or under the stairs, take advantage of the vertical space by stacking several totes on top of each other.

By storing your holiday treasures in an organized manner, decorating next year will be a snap!

Do you have any Holiday storage tips? We'd love to hear your ideas!

Gift Wrap ... Contained

This week's post is written by Professional Organizer Monica Friel, president of Chaos to Order based in Chicago and Atlanta. They have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Hoarding: Buried Alive, as well as in Better Homes and Gardens, just to name a few. You can find them on the web at www.chaostoorder.com

It's no wonder people are stressed out around the holidays, there are so many more things to think about, to do and to organize during the month of December. Gift wrapping is one of many tasks: you need to purchase gift wrap, store it and have it accessible for wrapping gifts quickly. Some people wrap gifts as they bring them in, others store them all up and have one big wrapping session once all the gifts are purchased.

However you prefer to do the wrapping, having a good place to store the tubes of holiday paper is a must. Storing tubes upright is especially nice if you do a lot of wrapping because you can easily access what you need. This vertical wrap box from Sterilite is sturdy and durable. If you want to tuck the gift wrap out of the way and under a bed, try the 41 quart underbed box. If you don't keep too many rolls, you can also make room in the box for bows, gift bags, tags, tape etc. To keep paper from unraveling or tearing, wrap a rubber band around the roll.

However you choose to store your wrapping paper, having an organized place to contain it will help make the time you spend gift wrapping a bit more peaceful.


 

The Christmas Spirit!

By Heather Kilduff of Sterilite Corporation

Among the hustle and bustle, it’s important not to lose sight of the spirit of the holiday season. It’s a time to celebrate with friends and family, a time to appreciate what you have and to provide to those who have little. Feeding the hungry, providing clothes and warm blankets to the poor and giving special but simple gifts is a long-standing Christmas tradition.

In an effort to keep this tradition at the forefront of our holiday celebrations, a group of colleagues and I chose to provide for the needs of others – in this case, boys and girls ranging from age 6 – 10. Each of us filled Sterilite shoeboxes with small toys, hygiene items and school supplies as a means of reaching out to underprivileged children this holiday season. Our donations went to a local charity that provides year-round assistance to families in need.

So as you make your holiday plans, consider keeping others in mind by donating to one of the many charities that provide for the needy this time of year. Go ahead – give it a try and discover the true meaning of Christmas spirit!