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Home » Organization

13 Easy Steps To Organize Tupperware & Food Containers

Brittany Kline | Updated August 5, 2024 Organization

Say goodbye to the Tupperware avalanche and hello to a more organized kitchen!
Organize Tupperware Piles of plastic container for food storage neatly arranged on a kitchen cabinet.
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Collage of organized Tupperware and food containers in various cabinets and drawers, showing neat stacks of containers and lids. The central image features the text '13 Easy Steps to Organize Tupperware and Food Containers' with a colorful circular border. The image highlights different methods to efficiently store and arrange kitchen storage containers.

Have you ever faced the overwhelming task of finding the perfect-sized Tupperware? Only to be greeted by an avalanche of mismatched lids and containers when you open the cupboard door?

Many people struggle to organize their homes, and Tupeprware is a pain. It’s a frustrating, time-consuming mess that makes meal prep and food storage more of a chore than it needs to be.

I have some easy steps to organize Tupperware more effectively, making planning and follow-through easy!

You can transform your chaotic kitchen cabinet into a neatly arranged stack where all your food storage containers have their corresponding lids.

Chaos to Control Bundle
Chaos to Control Bundle

Ready to Control the Chaos and Get Your Entire Life Organized? Get full access to our digital library of resources now!

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Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Key Takeaways
  • Prep Your Stockpile & Clean Cupboards
    • Declutter The Chaos
    • Get Rid Of Damaged/Smelly/Spotted Tupperware
    • Match Or Toss
    • Dust Your Cupboards
    • Wash Your Shelves & Doors
    • Add Shelf/Drawer Liner
  • Organize Tupperware
    • Get Dividers (Or Build Some)
    • Or Consider Wire Shelves
    • Use A Turntable
    • Consider Making Pull Out Drawers
    • Decide: Store Together Or Lids Separately
    • Use Vertical Stacking Space
    • Use Bins To Organize Lids
    • Arrange By Size Or Usage
    • Leave Extra Space
  • FAQs
    • Are drawer dividers worth it?
    • How should I separate my Tupperware?
    • How can I "Marie Kondo" my cupboards?
  • My Thoughts

Key Takeaways

Collage of organized Tupperware and food containers in various cabinets and drawers, showing neat stacks of containers and lids. The central image features the text '13 Easy Steps to Organize Tupperware and Food Containers' with a colorful circular border. The image highlights different methods to efficiently store and arrange kitchen storage containers.

No more wrestling with an avalanche of Tupperware, Mama!

These tips for a well-organized Tupperware cabinet will make your kitchen life so much easier and smoother.

Trust me, I’ve been there too! Organize your food storage containers by:

  • Using cloth storage bins
  • Adding dividers
  • Installing pull-out drawers
  • Making the most out of cabinet space with long bins and shelving
  • Utilizing the back of a cabinet door
  • Integrating stackable drawer organizers or tension rods
  • Curating my collection to include glass containers

If you want to take it a step further, see how I organized my kitchen and tackled the clutter!

Prep Your Stockpile & Clean Cupboards

Declutter The Chaos

too much tupperware!

Start by decluttering your entire Tupperware collection.

It’s important only to keep what is in good shape and usable, as holding onto things that have no value or purpose can create unnecessary clutter.

I hate looking for Tupperware lids and realizing the lid has been MIA for a while!

Eliminate damaged or broken containers from your collection. This will streamline your storage process and save you from long-term stress and frustration.

Get Rid Of Damaged/Smelly/Spotted Tupperware

   

The next step in the preparation process is to discard damaged, smelly, or stained Tupperware containers.

Tupperware, though convenient, is prone to damage and odor absorption over time. The plastic containers can become scratched or warped- then it’s time to say goodbye!

Therefore, regularly inspecting and replacing your storage containers is important to ensure safe food storage.

Keep an eye out for signs that it’s time to part with your favorite Tupperware, such as:

  • Being more than 10 years old
  • Having a broken or lost lid
  • Being stinky or stained
  • Having a weird texture or white bumps
  • Having scratches or discoloration that can’t be removed

Match Or Toss

   

Once you’ve decluttered your plastic food containers, it’s time to match the containers with their corresponding lids.

Any unmatched items should be tossed since they’re useless without their counterparts. You can keep a large one if you want a bin for lids, but that’s up to you.

If you want to recycle your unused Tupperware, check the type of plastic it’s made from and the recycling options available in your local area.

Dust Your Cupboards

Now that your cupboard is empty of Tupperware, it’s time to clean up shop!

Before organizing your Tupperware, give your cupboards a good dusting to create a nice, clean spot for your food storage containers.

Trust me, it makes a world of difference, and you can get Dollar Tree cleaning supplies to keep your project within budget.

Don’t forget to clean things every other month or so to check for dust and mold spots.

Wash Your Shelves & Doors

Besides dusting, washing the inside of your cupboards and cabinet doors is necessary to maintain a clean and sanitary storage area for your Tupperware.

If you want, you can create your own cleaning solution using one part baking soda and two parts water, a mixture of water and dish soap, or a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water.

For wooden shelving and doors, consider using olive oil, white vinegar, and warm water to clean them safely.

Regularly cleaning your kitchen cupboards and doors every 3 to 5 months will help maintain a clean and organized Tupperware storage area.

Add Shelf/Drawer Liner

shelf liner

Finally, consider lining your drawers for visual appeal and protection against spills or moisture.

This is what I’ll be using to cover up the cupboard damage the previous owners made!

To install a drawer liner, follow these steps:

  1. Measure the surface of the drawer.
  2. Mark the dimensions and cutting lines on the liner.
  3. Cut the liner according to the marked lines.
  4. Lay the liner in the drawer.
  5. Secure it in place with masking tape.

Replacing your drawer liners every three to six months will help prevent mold and other contaminants from damaging your Tupperware.

Organize Tupperware

Get Dividers (Or Build Some)

deep drawer dividers

Dividers offer a practical and efficient means to organize food storage containers and lids.

Dividers can be easily installed and adjusted to fit your drawer or cabinet dimensions, ensuring a perfect fit for your Tupperware storage needs.

You can purchase dividers from various retailers or even build your own using materials like:

  • Wood
  • Foam board
  • Plywood
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Cloth storage bins

Or Consider Wire Shelves

Wire shelving is another excellent way to organize your Tupperware. You can create tiers, optimizing storage for containers of different sizes.

Wire shelving is available in many sizes and designs, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your kitchen cabinet or pantry.

They’re inexpensive, and they’re one of my go-to for Dollar Tree organizing on a budget.

Wire shelves also promote air circulation, preventing dust and debris buildup so that cleanup can be easy peasy.

Use A Turntable

turntable tupperwares

A turntable is a straightforward and effective tool for arranging Tupperware containers and lids.

By placing your food storage containers on a turntable, you can easily access and locate the one you need without rummaging through a cluttered cabinet.

Pop them all on the turntable, and it rotates around for you to see all your options.

Turntables come in various sizes and designs, so you can choose one that fits your cabinet or pantry perfectly.

Consider Making Pull Out Drawers

pull out drawers

You won’t have to dig through a cluttered cabinet if you use pull-out drawers in your cabinet or pantry.

Building pull-out drawers may require some DIY skills or a kit, but the investment in time and effort will pay off with a functional and organized Tupperware storage system.

I’ve also seen people add pull-out drawers to more kitchen cabinets, so it’s easier to get out accessories like mixers, crackpots, and more.

Decide: Store Together Or Lids Separately

tupperware with lids on top nested and lids together

A crucial decision in Tupperware organization is choosing between storing containers and lids together or storing all the lidless containers separately.

Storing them together, as in lids on the containers, might not save space, but you never have to search for lids again.

On the other hand, keeping containers and lids separate allows for better stacking and nesting, making the most of your storage space and reducing the risk of damage.

Ultimately, what you decide to go with will depend on your personal preference and the amount of storage space you have available.

Use Vertical Stacking Space

vertical stacking by size

Vertical stacking is crucial for efficient storage and organization of Tupperware containers.

‘Vertical stacking’ is a fancy way of saying “stack that Tupperware.” It refers to utilizing the height of your cabinet rather than just the width and depth so that there is no unused space.

Be sure to stack lighter or more frequently used items on top to avoid any toppleover. We don’t want that avalanche!

You can use those locker shelves, you know, the fold-out metal ones? It can add an extra shelf to stack more Tupperware without having to move them off each other when you need one.

Use Bins To Organize Lids

extra tupperware to hold lids

Using bins to organize Tupperware lids is an efficient and practical solution for keeping your food storage containers neat.

Storing lids in bins allows you to stay organized by preventing lids from getting scattered around the cabinet.

Less clutter, easier life, Mama!

Arrange By Size Or Usage

tupperware by usage

Another way to easily organize Tupperware is to arrange lids and containers by size.

Start by sorting your containers and lids from the smallest to the largest. Things can be nested inside each other to store neatly and free up space.

For the lids, you can use a separate bin or a lid organizer. Similarly, arrange them from the smallest to the largest.

I’ll even use a large Tupperware bin missing a lid to hold them in one place.

Leave Extra Space

extra room for new tupperware

It’s important to allow extra space in your Tupperware storage area for new containers and easy access.

You may think you have a lot, but you may find you need a certain size or small ones for taking lunch to work- like mini dressings containers.

It’s also important to leave space to quickly locate and access the container you need without rummaging through a cluttered cabinet.

FAQs

Are drawer dividers worth it?

Drawer dividers are a great idea for organizing your Tupperware.

Drawer dividers help keep lids and containers separate, making it easier to find the right lid when needed.

However, they may not be necessary if you have a well-designed pull-out drawer or other storage system that keeps your Tupperware organized.

It depends on your preferences and needs. You may be just as happy with cloth bins or nesting food storage containers.

How should I separate my Tupperware?

Separating and organizing Tupperware containers and lids can be done in several ways to create an efficient and accessible storage system.

Some ways to organize your cabinets are by using:

  • A turntable
  • Dividers
  • Wire shelving
  • Pull-out drawers

These methods will help keep your glass or plastic containers with lids separate and easy to find.

Or, you can store containers with Tupperware lids in a bin or a basket on a shelf in your cabinet or pantry, or even use tension rods to keep lids standing upwards.

How can I “Marie Kondo” my cupboards?

To apply the Marie Kondo method to your Tupperware organization, follow these steps:

  1. Divide all items in your cupboard into categories, such as food containers, lids, or other kitchen items.
  2. Evaluate each item individually, asking yourself if it sparks joy and if you truly need it.
  3. Discard any items that don’t bring you joy or that you don’t need.

Designate a specific place for each item and put items back in the same place each time.

My Thoughts

Close Up Of Happy Woman After Cleaning The House

Don’t let disorganized Tupperware slow you down; take control of your kitchen organization today!

A well-organized kitchen looks great and enhances your cooking experience, saving you time and effort in preparation.

By implementing some simple strategies, we can transform that messy cabinet into a functional and efficient storage space for food storage containers.

And remember to leave some room for additional containers!

Create a system that suits your needs and preferences, making your kitchen organization a breeze.

Happy organizing!

Chaos to Control Bundle
Chaos to Control Bundle

Ready to Control the Chaos and Get Your Entire Life Organized? Get full access to our digital library of resources now!

Get Started Now
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About Brittany Kline

Hi, I’m Brittany Kline—a mom, home systems expert, and culinary enthusiast passionate about helping busy families simplify life—starting in the kitchen. With a master’s degree in education and years of experience creating streamlined home solutions, I specialize in practical meal planning, effortless home organization, and family-friendly recipes that make life easier (and tastier) for moms everywhere.

As a former educator turned household management pro, I understand the daily chaos that comes with raising a family. That’s why I’ve dedicated my work to helping moms take control of meal planning, grocery shopping, and kitchen routines—so they can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying family meals.

My recipes and meal-planning strategies have been featured in leading publications such as Forbes, TIME, USA Today, and Business Insider, among many others. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners or tips to make meal prep stress-free, I’m here to help you turn chaos into calm. Click here to read all of my posts.

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