Less Mess, More Yes

Rainy Day Art Station!

By Cassie Beigel of Sterilite Corporation

When the kids get out of school for summer vacation, it can be difficult to think of ways to keep them entertained every day. Of course the pool, beach, or park are great spots to go on a beautiful sunny day, but what about on a rainy day? Being a mom stuck inside with the kids all day because of poor weather can be exhausting, which is why it’s ideal to prepare for those days with activities to keep the kids busy indoors for hours. A great idea is to set up a rainy day art station in the corner of the playroom or living room and stock it with all the essential art supplies for your kids. Art and crafts allow kids to express their creativity in a safe and fun way, so it’s a win-win for everyone!

Of course practical storage to contain art supplies is important for keeping this art station neat and organized. Everyone knows how messy kids can get so something that is easy to take supplies in and out of comes in handy. The Sterilite Stack & Carry 3 Layer Handle Box is perfect for holding both smaller and larger craft items. Each layer can be unstacked for easy access to the items in closed. The top layer has a divided tray which is perfect for storing smaller items such as stickers, pompoms, and stamps while the bottom two layers can be used to store larger items like scissors, glue, and paint.

If a child loves to draw pictures to be hung up on the kitchen fridge or wall, markers and colored pencils are probably their favorite art supplies. The Sterilite Pencil Box can hold every color of the rainbow in colored pencils and the lid snaps tight so that the contents inside shouldn’t be going anywhere - no more colored pencils rolling onto the floor!

Paper for the kids to create beautiful masterpieces on is the last essential needed to complete this rainy day art corner. The Sterilite Wide 3 Drawer Unit can conveniently fit paper as big as 12”x12”. Colorful construction paper, scrapbook paper, and printer paper can be held in each of the three clear drawers where it is easy to identify and access.

Now that the art station is complete, all the art supplies needed will be available to the kids at any point they feel the urge to create. This art station is guaranteed to keep the kids busy for hours this summer where their imagination can shine!

Composting Made Easy!

By Cassie Beigel of Sterilite Corporation

It seems that even though everyone knows the benefits to composting, people still find excuses to put it off. It’s too big of a project; people don’t want a big container sitting outside their house, whatever it may be everyone has thought it at some point. In reality it can be much easier than that. Although the process can seem intimidating, it doesn’t take a farmer or a green thumb to be good at composting. All that’s really needed are some food scraps and materials that are most likely already in or around the house.

Two Sterilite 18 Gallon Tuff1 Totes will be used to hold the compost. Using storage totes to compost is a great alternative for people who live in apartments or who want to make it a project with their kids. The containers can be left on the patio, small balcony, or wherever is most convenient. Now there shouldn’t be any more excused for why not to compost.

Air needs to circulate around the compost in order to help it decompose faster, therefore, holes need to be drilled into the totes. These air holes should be drilled around all sides of both totes and in the bottom of the top tote which will nest inside the bottom tote. Space these holes about 1-2 inches apart, using a ¼” drill bit. Once a good spot has been found to keep this compost bin, it’s time to fill it with the materials that will eventually turn scraps into compost!

The top tote will be filled with composting material and should consist roughly of ¾ of dry ingredients and ¼ of wet ingredients. Wet ingredients include the typical items that come to mind when people think of composting material. This includes fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds, coffee filters, etc. Keeping a Sterilite 1.6 Gallon StepOn Wastebasket in the kitchen to fill with unused scraps will make gathering these wet ingredients an effortless process.

Examples of dry ingredients to add includes dirt, fall leaves, strips of cardboard, pine needles, twigs, etc. Once the compost bin is filled with a mixture of wet and dry ingredients, seal the top tote with its lid. The bottom nested tote will be used to collect any liquid that drains from the bin. (also known as “compost tea” which makes an incredible fertilizer.) Finally, the composting process is ready to begin!

Shake the composting bin every day or so to make sure the compost stays oxygenated and well mixed. Try to maintain the same moisture level of the compost as it was in the beginning. If it gets too wet, the compost will start to grow mold and more dry ingredients should be added. Compost generates heat naturally so if the compost feels cold to the touch, it is most likely a sign that it needs more moisture and more wet ingredients should be added.

Compost can be created any time of the year, as long as the air temperature stays above freezing. When sticking to this process, the compost should be ready for use after about three months. Try composting now and the garden will be flourishing in no time!

3 Ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle this Earth Day

By Cassie Beigel, of Sterilite Corporation

Earth Day is coming up! Did you know the average American produces around 1,700 pounds of garbage per year? Through recycling and reducing our footprint, each of us can make a difference. Let’s dive into 3 small changes that can have a big impact over time.

 

Reduce your waste with reusable plastic

Hunger can strike at the most unexpected time, and it’s impossible to plan for with kids. Most people pack a snack - such as crackers or grapes, in a plastic bag that will end up in the garbage immediately after the snack is finished.

Not all plastic is created equal, instead of constantly going through these one-time use plastic bags, try a reusable food storage container. It’s a better environmentally sustainable option to reduce our footprint.

Sterilite’s Ultra•Seal™ 3.1 Cup and 4.5 Cup Rectangle Food Storage are perfect for keeping snacks fresh, and can be reused as many times as desired. And when they’ve held their last snack, they can be recycled - by getting remelted, and remolded.

 

Reuse and repurpose those threads

Time to clean out the closet! Many people have clothing sitting in their closets they no longer wear; it’s taking up space and when one’s man trash is another man’s treasure it’s time to kiss it goodbye. Kids are a prime example of this, they outgrow things before they can even wear them sometimes!

Recycle these clothes through donation! Give to people who will wear them versus throwing them away.

Start off by keeping an 18 Gallon Tote in a centralized location - where family members can put clothing, they find they don’t wear anymore. When the tote is full, bring it to a local donation center so that these once-loved items can have a new home.

But what about those jeans you ripped in an unfortunate bowling incident? Or that time you spilled red-sauce all over your favorite white shirt and swore you’d find a hack to remove the stain… 4 years ago? There are places for these items too. A quick google search for “local textile recycling” should help kickstart your journey.  

 

Recycling System

Another simple way to start being more environmentally friendly is by creating a recycling system in your house. Because of convenience, many people tend to throw things away that should be recycled.

Labeling three Under Sink Wastebaskets as metal, paper, and plastic will keep recycled material organized and ensure it is disposed of in the correct way. Be sure to rinse out jars and cans, these items can attract bugs at the recycling enter (or worse, in your home) and once the items become infested with critters, they’ve lost their chance at being recycled and will likely end up in a landfill. Recycling centers do their absolute best to recycle what they can, so help them by doing your best – help them help you, and mostly importantly help our planet.

Recycling can seem daunting, but more than likely you’re already doing it. So, let’s all up our game, and help the planet just a little bit more, one step at a time.

 

For more tips, tricks and ideas of how you can lessen your foot print, head over to our Pinterest page and see what systems other people have set up that may spark inspiration!

 

Shoe Storage For Days

By Cassie Beigel of Sterilite Corporation

Many people say that shoe shopping is a form of therapy. It’s hard to have too many shoes. The only problem people may run into is finding an effective way to store their growing shoe collection. Spring is right around the corner which means it’s almost time to start packing away the boots and bringing out the sneakers and flats. Switching out wardrobes for the season change is the perfect opportunity to find a new storage solution for shoes.

Closet Solution

The first instinct many people may have is to throw their shoes on the floor of their closet when getting home after a long day. This makes it difficult to find a pair to wear in the future and the shoes can get beat up getting moved around. The 6 Quart Stacking Drawers are the perfect solution to prevent from scenarios like this. The clear drawers allow someone to quickly pull out the shoes needed when in a rush getting dressed in the morning. They can be stacked on top of each other as tall or as wide as desired to best utilize available closet space.

 

 

Best in Show

Another solution for keeping shoes organized is utilizing the odd storage spaces in the home, such as the upper closet space or under the bed. These areas are perfect for storing shoes that may not be worn as often. The 6 Quart Storage Boxes fit perfectly on 16-inch wire shelving in the closet and it’s see through base allows the contents to be identified with ease.

 

Critter-proof those absolute favorites

Many people have a pair or two of nice shoes that they won’t wear anywhere that could ruin them and they want to keep them looking as new as the day they were bought. The 7.5 Quart Gasket Box will ensure that a pair of shoes will be kept safe when not being worn. This box’s gasket seal protects from water, dust, and other outside elements that could potentially destroy a loved pair of shoes. They can even be stored in areas like the attic or garage and will still be kept looking brand new when ready to wear.

Winter Road Trip!

By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

Being indoors by the toasty fire is always a sure way to keep warm from those chilly winters in New England but sometimes the family will get stir crazy and it’s a must to plan a fun adventure out of the house. Picking something the whole family gets excited to do is important, so off to the Ski Mountain!

Preparing for a long car ride where the day will be spent at the mountain, it’s important to gather all of the necessities. First things first, food! Pack some lunch/snacks for the family fun time and the Sterilite Ultra•Seal™ items are the best food storage containers. The Sterilite Ultra•Seal™ 4.0 Cup Square is perfect for a sandwich and will keep it fresh for the long haul.

Now that the food is squared away it’s time to grab winter sports gear so that everyone stays nice and warm on the ski trip. The 30 Gallon Gasket Tote is an ideal durable solution for those items to be stored away in the tote to keep those smelly boots away and when storing in your basement, the contents are safe from the elements, dust, and pests.

Last but not least, keeping a first aid storage box in your car for those emergency situations can only help not hurt! The Sterilite 12 Gallon Latch and Carry is comfortable to carry and the ideal size so it doesn’t take up too much space in the trunk.

Now that the car is packed, grab the warm necessities such as mittens, gloves, and hats on the way out the door. Keep these winter must haves in an easy to access location! The Sterilite Weave 3 Drawer Tower and Tall Weave Basket are the perfect solution to keep these supplies organized and out of sight!

Tackle That Bedroom Clutter

By Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

Most people are home more than usual these days and may find themselves with the opportunity to complete that thorough Spring Cleaning they have always dreamt about. While cleaning and organizing the whole house can be overwhelming, separating this project into rooms can help make it manageable. Today, it’s the bedroom!

There is an abundance of under bed storage that not many think to utilize. This space is perfect for thick comforters, warm fuzzy blankets and extra sheets. The 60 Quart ClearView Latch™ Wheeled Underbed Box is a must have! It has four gliding wheels to help slide out from under the bed and can neatly stack on top of each other to use that space efficiently.

Bedroom closets can be a difficult space to organize. Adding wire shelving not only expands the space but allows for an efficient organizing system to be created. The 6 Quart & 15 Quart ClearView Latch™ Boxes fit perfectly on a 16-inch wire shelving unit. These items are great for storing shoes, tank tops, sweaters and more! Having a clear base and lid help identify the contents inside so there is no need to create a mess when looking for a particular item.

Another solution on how to keep the bedroom closet organized is switching out clothes based on the seasons. The 66 Quart ClearView Latch™ Box is a customer favorite, some will even add labels to the base for easy identification! This box can fit a decent amount of t-shirts, hats/gloves and more. Plus, these boxes can be stacked on top of each other saving space in the garage or attic.

Undeck The Halls

By Cassie Beigel from Sterilite Corporation

It’s the end of December, all of the holiday festivities are ending and the New Year is right around the corner. Packing up my Christmas decorations is a task that I dread every year. Before I started using Sterilite items to store my Christmas decorations, I would just throw all my decorations in cardboard boxes and toss them in my very unorganized attic.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more organized, why not start a week early and take on two birds with one stone by putting away your holiday decorations organized and efficiently! This way, you’ll know exactly where to find your holiday decorations and can pull everything out to decorate next year hassle free.

The Sterilite Stack & Carry 2 Layer Ornament Box is the perfect item to pack away my ornaments for the year. I have a wide assortment of ornaments, even some that are handmade. My collection is always growing with different shapes and sizes of ornaments I put on my tree! Thankfully, this ornament box has customizable dividers so every one of my unique ornaments has a space to be kept safe between the years.

After the tree, I’ll tackle packing away the indoor decorations I have on display such as stockings, Christmas candles, nutcrackers, garland, and much more. I use the Sterilite 64 Quart Latching Box (in red) to store all of these decorations over the years. The festive red colored lid and clear base shows me exactly what items I have stored away in the box, letting me know that I won't need anything inside the box until it’s time to decorate again next year.

Every year I find myself buying several rolls of holiday wrapping paper of different designs and patterns to wrap gifts for my friends and family. I never end up using all of it and I’m left with an abundance of holiday wrapping paper that I never knew what to do with until I found the Sterilite 30 Inch Wrap Box. This has been a great solution for me to store my wrapping paper neatly and to protect it so that it’s ready to be used when I need it next year.

We all know that packing up the holiday decorations is not something anyone looks forward to, but with these holiday storage items it will make the process a little more manageable!

Decorating for the Holidays!

By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

‘Tis the season to decorate for the holidays! I love this time of year because I get to decorate the house in all my favorite décor from the outside lighting and wreaths to the inside with garland and our festive tree. The house smells like warm apple pies and pine trees which gets the whole family in the spirit!

Every year around this time I find myself traveling to Home Goods before going through my already excessive amount of decorations and finding something I have to have and purchasing more décor!

And in order to decorate with bliss you need the right storage organization. I’m not sure about you but when it comes to organizing I like my storage items to be color coded to represent the season. This makes it easier to find exactly what you’re searching for and is the most aesthetically pleasing!

Last year I decided to get some new red totes, a wreath box and a light box in festive colors which were perfect for my holiday storage.

For the outside lights I used the Sterilite 4 Reel Light Storage Box and I love it! It’s perfect for avoiding a tangled mess and it has this bright, jolly red color for the lid! It holds all the lights I need to decorate the bushes in front of the house.


Moving on to my favorite, the wreath! I found the cutest wreath last year and was just storing it on top of other Christmas decorations, but I found the most perfect storage for it. The Sterilite Nesting Wreath Box keeps my wreath protected while being stored away at the end of the holidays! When I pulled it out to hang on the door this year, it was perfectly preserved.


Once the outside is complete with lights, reindeer, and all other décor needed this holiday season, it’s on to spice up the inside.

This huge Sterilite 50 G Modular Stacker is perfect for larger items I need to store away. I stored my tree stand, holiday blankets/pillows, and so much more. Next step is taking out my holiday items and decorating the house to create such a cozy feeling that friends and family can enjoy.

Having all of my holiday items stored in festive colors is great when you’re searching year after year to find your Christmas items. They’re bright and cheery and easy to find! And once it’s time to put everything away, you have exactly what you need to store them year after year.
So now it’s time for you to get the family together, make some hot cocoa and transform your home into a winter wonderland. Happy Holidays!

Friendsgiving Brunch

By Cassie Beigel of Sterilite Corporation

Thanksgiving is slowly approaching and it’s time to start figuring out plans for how you’re going to celebrate. I tend to spend Thanksgiving day with my family, similar to many of you I’m sure. However, considering that my family is not the only people I’m thankful for, I love to celebrate with my friends too! Every year my friends and I plan a Friendsgiving before stuffing ourselves with turkey and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving day, and this year we decided to make it a brunch.

I’m hosting Friendsgiving this year and the best way to take some stress off of hosting is if each friend brings a food of their choice! I always recommend using Sterilite’s Ultra Seal bowls when bringing food to an event because it’s perfect for keeping food fresh and sealed. Bringing something such as fruit salad, pumpkin bread, bagels, and pastries make for a delicious Friendsgiving brunch. The goal is to have so much food at your Friendsgiving that there are plenty of leftovers to send home with your friends! The wide range of sizes of Sterilite’s Ultra Seal bowls are guaranteed to hold whatever you bring, and any leftovers to bring home.

I decided to set up a waffle bar because who doesn’t love waffles!  Choose some of your favorite toppings for the waffles such as berries, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. Next, pour each topping into Sterilite’s 20-ounce bowls and serve yourself! A waffle bar allows your friends to customize exactly what they like on their waffles to ensure that everyone is satisfied.

Although delicious food is a major aspect of Thanksgiving, don’t forget the real meaning of the holiday- being thankful for the people and the things you have in your life. Let us know if you decide to get together with some great friends for brunch to celebrate Thanksgiving this year

Ghoulishly Great Gathering

By Tori Lind of Sterilite Corporation

Happy (almost) Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday and I’m so excited to celebrate this year since last year it wasn’t safe due to Covid-19. If you are thinking about hosting a small gathering for the kids but not sure what kind of activities to do, keep reading!

Gooey Slime

I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t love making slime! It’s easy to make and will keep kids entertained for hours. Here’s what you need:

• Sterilite 20 Ounce Bowl
• Elmer’s Washable School Glue (about 6 – 7 ounces per bowl)
• Elmer’s Magical Liquid (about 2 -3 tablespoons per bowl)
• Fruit coloring (just a few drops)
• Googly eyes, fake spiders, glitter, etc.

Add about 6 – 7 ounces of glue into the bowl. Mix in 2 -3 tablespoons of magical liquid and a few drops of food coloring. Stir until slime holds together. Pick up the slime from the bowl and start playing! Add googly eyes, fake spiders or glitter to make it spooky!

Jack-o-lantern Bowling

This is a great activity to do when the kids have eaten too much candy and need to burn off some energy! You can either make this game yourself or get the kids involved! Here’s what you need:

• Sterilite 20 Ounce Tumbler
• Markers
• Dodgeball

Draw faces on the tumblers and set up them up like bowling pins or stack them. Have each kid stand a few feet away and see how many they can knock down. So easy and so fun!

Marble Mummies

This is my personal favorite! This craft is adorable and kids love the final product. Here’s what you need:

• Sterilite Small Pencil Box
• Mummy cut out stencil
• Black construction paper
• Scissors
• White paint
• Marbles
• Glue & googly eyes

Have the kids cut out a mummy on black construction paper. Place the mummy into the tomb (pencil box) and add a marble covered in white paint. Close the pencil box and shake, shake, shake! Once done shaking remove the mummy and glue the googly eyes on. Kids always get a good laugh when doing this!

When the gathering is over not only do the kids leave with big smiles and candy but also gooey slime and marble mummies! Let us know if you end up trying any of these and post on social media using #sterilitenation. Have a SPOOKtactular Halloween!

Seasonal Clothing Swap!

By Michaela Coyle of Sterilite Corporation

Living in New England can be challenging with the drastic weather changes but we’re also very lucky to watch the transitions especially Summer to Fall. And it’s that time of year again where the warm summer nights turn into cool sweater weather evenings. All those shorts, tank tops and summer dresses need to be put away to make room for the cozy Fall/Winter clothing and shoes. As much as I’m sad to see summer go, being able to wear comfy sweatshirts and leggings is always exciting for all of us “cool weather lovers”.

Picking the storage box is crucial for me for a few reasons:

• Clear storage is preferred so I can quickly find my clothes when it comes time to swap them out again
• Sturdy latches to ensure that the lid is secure to the base to keep my seasonal clothes protected
• Making sure they stack securely so I can utilize the most space in my basement

I bought the new Sterilite Hinge Lid Storage Boxes in both 60 Quarts and 80 Quarts. They share the same lid so they stack securely for efficient use of that vertical storage space!

The transitioning of clothing for seasons can be overwhelming but it’s such a good feeling when its neatly packed away in your storage boxes and you have a refreshed wardrobe to rotate throughout the colder months. So tuck away those tank tops and lighter clothing and put on some comfy clothes and enjoy watching the seasons change!