Sterilite Corporation's Blog

Goodbye Daylight

By Adrienne Miller of Sterilite Corporation

The end of daylight savings time has sadly arrived. Our brains think we’re getting an extra hour of sleep, but are also not fully prepared for the 5:00 PM blackout that occurs daily. To those of us who aren’t too excited for snow and cold, the countdown to spring has officially begun. Although it’s not quite a six-month gap until we change our clocks again, here are some quick tips that can be done on either end of the time change to help keep your home on track!

Prepare for Light -
Sterilite’s Stack & Carry 3 Layer Handle Box & Tray is a one-stop-shop for emergency lighting. Keep your small night-light bulbs safe in the divided tray, along with a range of battery sizes, a book of matches and a lighter. Prep for the snow storms now by changing out the old batteries in flashlights, and use this time to change out the batteries in your smoke detector too. You can utilize the middle layer for flashlights, and the bottom layer for emergency candles. The layers safely clip together to create a mobile solution for when the power inevitably goes out this winter.


Deep Clean - 
Doing a deep clean this time of year pays off huge in the spring. Between two dogs, a toddler and having the windows open all summer, the dust, pollen, dog hair, and spilled juice have done a number on my home. The baseboards, windows and window sills are ready for some love. The 12 Quart Spout Pail is the perfect companion to tote around the home and help wipe away that grime. It’s smaller design means even when its full it’s lighter in weight, the handle ergonomics are comfortable and reliable, and the measurements on the inside mean you won’t over-suds your water. Simply mix some warm water and a mild soap, grab some old towels, and wipe away the layer of -yuck- on your windows, window sills and baseboards. Be sure to wring out the towel really well so no woodwork becomes saturated in the process!


Seasonal Linens - 
I love winter… blankets. Cuddling up under a pile of heavy, snuggly, fresh blankets is probably my favorite activity in the winter. There’s just something about having a second set of blankets for winter, versus summer, that has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the season change. Every spring I get excited to bring down the light weight throws, and every fall I get excited to swap those out for the heated heavy fleece. The 106 Quart Fresh Scent  Box is the perfect size for both seasons. The dryer sheet vent is perfect for keeping blankets and pillows smelling fresh for the six months they’re in storage, the handle/latches are comfortable for awkward attic trips, and the clear/tinted plastic makes it easy to see what’s in each item without actually labeling them.


Seasonal changes are pretty dramatic up here in New England, every few months calls for an overhaul of random tasks and chores. But incorporating these few tips into your yearly routine will certainly help any time change feel like less of a burden and more of a welcomed frenemy.

Devilish Drinks for your Halloween Bash!

By Natalie Aguilar of Sterilite Corporation

Get excited, because the best holiday of the year is right around the corner! That’s right, Halloween will be here in a week’s time. There is something about the spookiness of this holiday that I just can’t get enough of. From the haunted houses, to the creepy costumes that come out at night, Halloween brings together adults and kids of all ages – you are never too old to celebrate! But what’s Halloween without a good party, filled with creative costumes, fun decorations, and spooky snacks and beverages?

Last year, my family threw one of the best Halloween parties ever. Our guests were talking about it for months to come! What made the party truly successful were the details we incorporated into it. For example, we decorated the outside of the house with hay bales, cornstalk, beautiful mums, and spooky cobwebs. And we even got the whole family to help decorate!


We went all out with the party snacks, beverages and of course the costumes! If you’re looking to throw the ultimate Halloween party, here are a couple of pro-tips that made ours one to remember:

       • Plan Ahead- Know the age of partygoers to make sure your party isn’t too frightening            or too boring 
       • Decorations- Homemade decorations are the best, not only can you personalize them            to be as spooky as you want, but they are inexpensive and easy to make!
       • Best Costume Awards- Nothing gets the crowd going like some friendly competition. Costume Awards are the perfect way to get all of your friends and family excited to share       their costume creations!

The most important part of your planning is to think outside of the box! Show your guests how creative you can be by making the best decorations, snacks and costumes. If you’re looking to host one of the best parties in town, here are a couple of ideas that should spark up some inspiration:

Frightening Fanta Floats
Ingredients: 
• 2 Liters of Fanta Orange Soda
• 1 tub of Vanilla Ice Cream
• 6-8 Sterilite 20 Ounce Tumblers – decorated with spooky faces

Directions:
Step 1: Using Sterilite’s Tumblers, fill a quarter of the tumbler with Fanta
Step 2: Next, add in 1 scoops of the vanilla ice cream
Step 3: Lastly, pour in some more Fanta on top until you start to see some bubbled happening
Step 4: Throw in a straw and enjoy! 


Frankenstein Bug Juice
Ingredients:
• 1 pouch of Green Apple Kool-Aid drink mix
• Sprite
• Sour gummy worms

Directions:
Step 1: Using Sterilite’s 1 Gallon Pitcher, fill it up with Sprite
Step 2: Next, add in the green apple Kool-Aid Drink mix
Step 3: Mix it all up and enjoy! 


Glow Stick Ice Bucket
Supplies:
• Sterilite Ultra∙Seal™ 8.1 Quart Bowl
• Glow stick necklaces
• Ice
• Juice boxes 
• Mini water bottles

Steps:
Step 1: Attached two Glow Stick necklaces together and place at the base of the bowl, you may want to stack two or three high
Step 2: Add some ice to the base of the bowl
Step 3: As you move up the bowl you will need to attached 3 glow sticks together, stack a few high
Step 4: Next add more ice to the bowl
Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until bowl is full Step 6: Add waters and juice boxes


With the help of Sterilite, party planning doesn’t have to be stressful! We hope you have a spooktacular Halloween party!

Crisp Apples to Apple Crisp!

By Shannon Fahey of Sterilite Corporation

The fall season is in full swing - what an extraordinary time of year! The leaves are changing colors, pumpkins are being carved, and blossoming mums can be found on every door step. The abundance of apples is another welcoming sign of fall. Although apples are available year-round, there is nothing like a freshly picked apple from the orchard. Apple picking is a fun family tradition that we do every fall. It is the perfect fall activity, especially in New England! Plus it is a great excuse to get dressed up in a plaid shirt and boots and take some cute family photos while enjoying the cool fall weather. 

In my family we make it an annual tradition. We invite the whole extended family which is a great opportunity to see everyone during the busy fall season. We meet at the farm and there are hay rides that bring you back to the apple orchards.  My cousins and I run around the orchard trying to find the best apples there. We always climb the trees to the very top, because that is always where the best apples are. We pick so many different types from Honey Crisp, to Fuji, to Granny Smith. They are all delicious – but I must say that Macintosh is my favorite!

Once all the apples are picked, we can’t leave without getting some cider donuts and hot apple cider. That is arguably one of the best parts of the trip. These donuts are to die for, always warm and fresh.

The next part of our tradition is always to go back to my house, since I live closest to the orchard. All of my extended family gathers together to continue on with more fun fall activities, including baking fresh apple crisp for the whole family to enjoy!

To make this apple crisp we divide and conquer. My cousin washes the apples then hands them over to my aunt. My aunt peals the apples we picked from the trees just hours ago. Then my mom and I measure out the ingredients and mix it all together. We all work as a team to make this delicious dessert with lots of love, a main ingredient of course. Keep reading below for the step by step directions.

Ingredients:
Filling:
- 6 freshly picked apples
- 1 tbsp.lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp flour

Crumble Topping:
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 stick of butter
 
Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2) Peel the apples and cut into bite sized wedges
3) In a large mixing bowl, we recommend Sterilite's 6 Quart Bowl, toss together the apples, lemon juice, sugar, and flour. Pour into a baking dish and set aside.
4) Mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in slices of butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs
5) Spread the topping evenly over the apple mixture, making sure to cover all of the edges.
5) Bake the apple crisp until golden brown and the sides are bubbling, about 40 minutes

Don't forget to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your apple crisp when serving for absolute perfection!
Such an amazing day full of family, food, and fall activites!

Attention All Soccer Moms!

By Shannon Fahey of Sterilite Corporation

Fall is such a beautiful time of year. The weather begins to cool down so you can bring out your sweaters, jeans and scarves again. The leaves start to change colors into beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows. And fall sports are in full swing! 

If your kids play a fall sport than you know how exciting this time of year can be! However, you also know that it can be a bit stressful too. Whether it is soccer, football, field hockey or volleyball, there is always an activity after school - either a practice or a game. Therefore, you are probably spending a lot of time driving to and from the field. Remember that carpools are a lifesaver! Switch off with the other parents on who drops off and picks up.

As the kids get older, there becomes more and more practices and games. Especially if you have more than one kid playing sports. It is no longer just a practice during the week and a game on the weekend. This means there are more opportunities where your kids comes home and take off their cleats, shin guards and socks and leave them out to stink up the house! Soccer equipment smells more than you could ever imagine. It is just as bad as football and hockey equipment. You can smell those things from a mile away. However, what if you could find a way to combat the smell of soccer equipment this fall?! With a little help from Sterilite, now you can. The whole family will thank you!


Attention all soccer moms! (And any and all sports parents in general). Here is some firsthand advice on how to deal with your kids smelly equipment after a sporting event. As soon as the kids get in the door, it is important to tackle the problem right away. Once they take off all their equipment and you send them up for a shower, throw their socks and uniform straight in the wash. Otherwise, these too will stink up the house. If you are not doing laundry that day, let the clothes air out on the back deck or driveway for a bit before throwing them in the hamper. This will help alleviate the smell.

Now it is time to address the main source of the smell. Normally, you just put away their cleats and shin guards with the rest of the shoes in the mudroom. However, this does not solve the problem. The next time they go to soccer, their equipment still stinks and so does your entire mudroom. Well, Sterilite has the answer to your sports equipment dilemma - our line of Fresh Scent Boxes!


The next time the kids come home from a long day of sports, take advantage of Sterilite’s 15 Quart Fresh Scent Boxes. Set up one box or multiple boxes, depending on how many little athletes are in the house. You can even label the Fresh Scent Boxes with each child's name. Simply place a dryer sheet in the top ventilation compartment, and have your kids keep their cleats and shin guards in there when not in use. This way, you never have to scramble before a sporting event trying to find their equipment, and it will help eliminate the smell! What more could you want?! 

Prep For Sucess This School Year!

By Natalie Aguilar of Sterilite Corporation

It’s already back to school season! Oh how the time flies. Somehow, summer always seems to go by faster and faster as I get older. Although back to school season can be stressful and overwhelming, it can also be fun and exciting to start fresh, meet new people and most importantly, stay organized. To help with all of the chaos, I have put together a list of new exciting ways to motivate the kids with their transition from summer vacation back into the school year. 

Having an organized homework area is so important. It helps to get the kids back into the school routine and allows them to work more efficiently and effectively. Even as a college student, I find that things can get out of hand quickly in my work space and my desk becomes a cluttered mess. To bring some organization to my school life, I utilize the Sterilite Bath Caddy to hold all of my homework needs. I know it might sound silly, but it is a simple yet creative way to contain everything from pens and pencils, to notebooks, folders, sharpies, highlighters and more! Whether your kids are just entering elementary school or finishing up high school, this homework caddy is perfect for students of all age! Having all the essentials in one place will make your kids more productive when it comes to homework time.

Another great idea is to make use of the Sterilite Mini Crates to create a modular, customized unit on the kids desk. This is especially useful if the homework space is small because this crate system allows you to take advantage of the vertical space. Plus, it adds a modern look to the work space, all while keeping the homework supplies contained!

If the kids designated work space is in your home office, than you may want to keep it looking a little more simple and stylish. Lucky for you, Sterilite can help with that too!  Our Medium Weave 3 Drawer Unit adds a sophisticated look to the office and provides easy access to any items that are used every day!

The most important part about staying organized is making sure that nothing is left behind and to remember where you put everything. Sometimes, when you turn cleaning mode on, you forget where you placed items after you’re all done. Thankfully, the Sterilite 3 Drawer Cart is incredibly useful for storing all of my extra school supplies that are left over from the back to school shopping haul. Its clear drawers, allow me to easily identify any products inside without having to remember where I put it.


With the help of Sterilite, this back-to-school season just got a whole lot easier. Not only can you stay organized and motivated for the school year ahead, these helpful pro-tips leaves room for you to be successful and make this year the best one yet!

College Survival Kit!

By Natalie Aguilar of Sterilite Corporation

Searching for a personal, useful and affordable gift for a recent high school graduate moving to college this fall? Well look no further! With a little help from Sterilite you can create the ultimate College Survival Kit with all of the essentials they’ll need for their freshman year of school.

Graduating high school and starting college can be overwhelming and getting used to a different place that isn’t your home can be frightening.  Therefore, giving a gift that adds a personal touch will mean so much to them! Whether this gift is for your child, sibling, or friend the Sterilite College Survival Kit is ideal for anyone starting college this fall!

Be creative! Any of our Ultra Laundry Baskets makes the perfect base for a personalized goodie basket. Not to mention they can use this basket for all of their laundry needs while living on campus. My personal favorite is the 1.25 Bu HipHold Laundry Basket. It comes in two great colors, and the contoured shape makes it comfortable to rest on your hip. This is perfect when going up and down multiple flights of stairs to the laundry room in your freshman dorm. 

Once you pick out a laundry basket, fill it with some of their favorite treats, a little piece of home, and some college essentials. Try to customize it with some of their personal favorites. For example, if they play sports you can fill the basket with headbands, a water bottle, or any equipment needed for the given sport. You can also try adding some fun picture frames, their favorite snacks, room decorations or a warm fuzzy blanket and fun pillows to make their room feel more like home.


In addition to personalized items, every incoming freshman needs the college essentials, especially if they are living on campus. To help, simply go to your local discount store or shopping center and pick out some everyday essentials that a college student would need!

Here are some ideas to help you out:
          • Notebooks
          • Pens/ Pencils
          • Instant Food
          • Candy/ Snacks
          • Tumblers
          • First Aid Kit
          • Clothing Hangers
          • Towels

Moving away to school can be hard, so having a little piece of home can be very comforting. That is why this personalized gift using our Laundry Basket is perfect for anyone moving into campus this year.

DIY Beverage Float

By Shannon Fahey of Sterilite Corporation

There is nothing more relaxing than a beautiful summer day at the pool! Whether it’s your backyard pool, a neighborhood pool or a friend’s pool, it is hard to beat. The beach is amazing but it can be such a hassle. You wake up early, get the kids ready, pack lunches, and load the car up with beach toys, only to sit in a long line of traffic. This can make for a stressful day. Also, beaches are just so crowded, especially on a hot summer day. It can be really hard to find a parking spot or even a place to sit on the beach. If you go to the pool, you don’t have that problem. You can lay back and have some you time!

As your kids are busy playing in the pool for hours, you can lay out in the sun and read a good book or jump into the pool to cool off. You could also grab a magazine and a float to lounge in while the kids are splashing around. However, for ultimate relaxation, you shouldn’t have to get out of the pool to grab a drink for you and the kids. What if drinks were right by your side?

Check out our awesome DIY Beverage Float to fix this problem. This way you will always stay hydrated and relaxed. Simply follow these easy steps below to create this fun item for your next pool day.

1) Use a plastic container such as Sterilite’s 16 Quart Storage Box for the base.
2) Find a fun colorful pool noodle. Then, cut the pool noodle into 4 pieces to fit the edges of the plastic container.
3) Cut half way through the noodle pieces and then attach them to the edges of the plastic container. Use a hot glue gun for extra stability.
4) Fill with ice, add your favorite drinks, and place the float into the pool!

It is as easy as that! Now you will have a perfect floating beverage holder with you in the pool for drink access at the tip of your fingers.

Happy Floating!

Mom's Secret Guacamole Recipe!

By Shannon Fahey of Sterilite Corporation

Avocados are all the rage recently. From avocado toast to avocado ice cream, people are putting them in everything possible! Everyone knows that the best way to use avocados is for guacamole, no doubt about it. My mom hands down makes the best guacamole. When she brings it to parties, people are in awe of how good it is. I always hear people go around the party asking “Who made the guac?” “What is your recipe?”. She is literally famous - everyone who knows her, knows that her guacamole is the best.

So what’s her secret? I am going to tell you so maybe you can become famous with your friends for the best guacamole too!

Mom’s Chunky Guacamole Ingredients:

• 5 Ripe Avocados
• 1 Tomato
• 1 Clove of Garlic
• ½ Lemon Juice
• ½ Jalapeno Pepper (if you like it spicy)
• Sea Salt and Cayenne Pepper to taste

Instructions:
1) Peel and pit the avocados then cut them into small chunks. No need for conformity or mixing.
2) Squeeze ½ of a lemon on the avocados for a little citrus flavor.
3) Cut the tomato into small pieces and then dice the jalapeno. Add to the avocado mixture.
4) Mince the garlic then add to the mixture.
5) Add sea salt and cayenne pepper to taste. The cayenne pepper is a must, it is definitely the secret ingredient of this recipe!

Mix all of the ingredients in the Sterilite Ultra Seal 5.8 Cup food storage container so you are ready to serve. Pair it with your favorite tortilla chips and you are good to go! Now you can bring the guacamole to the party wherever you go and store the leftovers with ease. The chances of leftovers are very slim though. This healthy and delicious snack will be gone in minutes!

Organizational Guide to Wedding Season

By Natalie Aguilar of Sterilite Corporation

Calling all Hairdressers and Makeup Artists! Wedding season is upon us, one of the busiest seasons of the year. Running around getting stuff done on the big day can be hectic, with the bride wanting picture-perfect hair and the bridesmaids getting their flawless makeup done. However, there is also a lot that can go wrong, which is why it is always good to stay alert and be prepared! When dealing with the chaos, here is a helpful pro tip to keep you organized and on your toes on the big day! Try using our Divided Case for your accessories and necessities! It will create a more strategic and organized approach to tackling this special event.

For all of my hairdressers out there, you can use the Divided Case for storing your bobby pins, hair elastics, combs, clips, and everything else you will need to prepare! Things can get out of hand pretty quickly on the big day, especially if unplanned. Whether you are looking for your hairspray for some finishing touches or for your hairpins to secure those loose curls, it’s important to always stay organized.


For all my makeup artists, use the Divided Case for storing your favorite makeup brushes, beauty blenders, lipsticks, and eyeshadows! This case is ideal for transporting all of your makeup supplies to and from the wedding!


And don’t worry, we know accidents happen - our safety latch will help prevent all of your goods from getting misplaced or muddled on this chaotic day!

Organizing your work space can be very difficult at times, but it is one of the most important components to reducing stress. By planning ahead you are able to tackle any task, whether its hair and beauty related or not!

The Best Fourth of July Recipes

By Natalie Aguilar of Sterilite Corporation

Personally, the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays of the year. I love the idea of waking up and seeing everyone around me decked out in red, white and blue. Laying by the pool with all my friends and family and having my dad cook some burgers and hotdogs on the grill, it all just seems so perfect to me. There’s nothing like spending time with the people you love on the day that started it all.

Every year, my family loves to throw a good Fourth of July party with some of our closest friends and family, therefore a lot of party prepping needs to be done. My day usually starts with helping my mom and grandma prepare for the party. In the morning we marinate all of the meats and chickens so that they can be flavorful while we work on other party snacks and arrangements throughout the day.

Growing up, my grandmother would always be in charge of the party snacks. Cooking side-by-side with her was something we always did together. From birthdays to holidays, we made sure that the snacks and desserts were cooked to absolute perfection every time. Since my grandma has passed, I always make sure that our celebrations include one of her famous dishes. Not only are these snacks delicious but they are also very quick and easy to make. So if you find yourself wanting to change it up this year then stay tuned for some festive party snacks!

White Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Sticks

What you'll need:

• 1 pack of pretzel rods
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pack of Nestle Toll House White Chocolate Morsels
• Festive sprinkles for decorating

Directions:

Step 1: Place wax paper over a baking pan and set aside for later.

Step 2: Using one of Sterilite’s Set of Two 49 Ounce Bowls, melt your white chocolate and mix it in with a tablespoon of vegetable oil in the microwave. In 1 minute increments, consistently stir and check on the chocolate making sure the heat penetrates throughout but doesn’t burn.


Step 3: Dip each pretzel into the melted white chocolate, then hold it vertically over the dish so that the excess chocolate drains off the end. You can also use a spoon to spread even more chocolate over the pretzel to make it easier.

Step 4: Coat the pretzels with sprinkles and place on your prepped baking pan.

Step 5: Allow pretzels to dry quicker by placing them in the refrigerator on the baking pan for about 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes, make sure they are all dry and ready to go. If you are saving these delicious treats for later then carefully place them in Sterilite’s Ultra•Seal™ 16.0 Cup Food Storage Container to keep them fresh and enjoy when you’re ready!

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich

What you'll need:

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Vanilla ice cream
• Festive sprinkles for decorating

Directions:

Step 1: Take one cookie and place about ¼ of a cup scoop of ice cream on the flat side of the cookie, then top the flat side of the second cookie to make a sandwich. Do this repeatedly as you complete your batch.

Step 2: Place festive Fourth of July sprinkles in one of Sterilite’s Set of Two 49 Ounce Bowls and gently roll the sides of the sandwich. You can either serve immediately or keep tightly sealed it in Sterilite’s Ultra•Seal™4.7 Quart Bowl and place in the freezer to enjoy later!


Of course the Fourth is never the Fourth without going to see fireworks. There’s nothing that brings my family together more than watching them after feasting from all of the delicious foods at the table. Take time out of your day from whatever you’re doing to sit back, relax and watch the light show!

However you’re spending the incredible holiday this year, give these recipes a try – I hope they are helpful to you and your festivities. With the help of Sterilite’s Ultra•Seal™ Food Storage Containers, my party and clean up made it super easy to serve and store these recipes, keeping it fresh all just in time for the Fourth of July! Just remember to have fun, be safe and spend your day surrounding yourself with peace, love and positivity.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Big Surprise for Dad this Father's Day!

By Shannon Fahey of Sterilite Corporation

Father’s Day is coming up quick! Kids are almost out of school and summer is just around the corner but you can not forget to celebrate dad. Dad is a busy man, but always makes time to cheer the kids on and support them in everything they do. Whether it is a sports game, a musical or just giving some fatherly advice, he is there.

You always have a similar routine on Father’s Day. The kids make dad breakfast in bed; with a little help they are able to make some surprisingly delicious French Toast. They give him a card but the tricky part every year is what to get dad? Shopping for mom is much easier. You usually get her some jewelry, a candle or a nice new shirt. But you are never really sure what to get dad. However, this Father’s Day is going to be different - surprise dad with a garage makeover!

When you and the kids send him off to have a relaxing golf day with his friends, it is time to start the surprise. This surprise can be as extravagant or as small as you want. You could do a complete garage makeover or just pick a small area to organize this time. He will love it no matter what! Here are some easy ways to organize his tools, hardware, and sports equipment with a little help from Sterilite.

1. You know how much dad loves his tools. They are never in the right place in the garage, which is added stress he definitely does not need! Pick up his tools that are scattered around the garage and sort them. The Sterilite 4 Drawer Unit is great place to store them so they are super easy to find.

2. Next, you want to set up the Sterilite 5 Shelf Unit to organize all of the clutter in the garage. You need to make space for dad’s golf clubs when he gets home.  This shelf is also a great place to store all of the kid’s outdoor toys and sports equipment.

3. While you are setting up the shelf you can have the kids contribute by putting basketballs, soccer balls and all their sports equipment in Sterilite’s 25/50 Quart Shelf Totes. This is an easy way to have the kids help out with dad’s big surprise!

4. Often when dad is building something in the garage, he has to scramble to simply find 2 nails in the big mess. Now, all the small items that you can never find in your garage can go in Sterilite’s Mini Clip Boxes.

It is as easy as that! Organizing the garage is a task you just never have the time to do, even though it needs to be done. Dad will finally be able to pull his car into the garage again!

Happy Father’s Day!