Storage containers are big business - have you seen the price of canisters and boxes and baskets lately? I'm the first to admit that I just love my Tupperware, BUT, and it's a big but, I've never paid full price for any of it, and most of it is over 30 years old (already!).
These days though, Tupperware just doesn't fit my budget so I'm always looking for alternatives, especially free alternatives. Brenda's suggestion of using formula tins isn't new, but it is a timely reminder that when we think creatively we can almost always find a solution to our problem.
Free Canisters
Whilst organizing my pantry I realized I needed more storage containers. Looking around the kitchen I noticed my baby's formula sitting on the bench. As I have a 4 month old daughter I have quite a few empty formula cans with lids. Being a little creative I sprayed them with paint in my favourite colour and put labels on them and now have cheap canisters for my pantry. The canisters contain packets of salt, breadcrumbs, custard powder etc. Looking around the house I have now used them in the laundry for pegs etc. You can paint them all different colours and use them for hundreds of uses like buttons, screws, Lego or children's toys. This has saved me about $8 - $10 for a container of a similar size so depending on how many you make you can save a lot of a money.
Contributed by Brenda Buckley
If you'd like to see some truly beautiful "formula tin canisters" visit The Bluebirds are Nesting. Annabel has done a lovely post on this very subject.
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Dear Cath, You know how much I love free canisters! Just now I have another six babu formula tins to make over. I am thinking of painting them but might experiment. They make great storage containers. Also Andy is collecting me food grade storage buckets. Once I have six then I will decorated them like Vicky did with vinyl. I plan on using them to hold packet items in my cellar... ie tea, pasta etc. Plus the bug coffee jars. They are huge and Im still collecting those. The have an excellent seal. And they are all free! I would rather spend the money on the food to fill them any day! Thanks for mentioning Bluebirds. Love Annabel.xxx
ReplyDeleteOh Annabel your covered tins are gorgeous - such an inspiration. The buckets sound great - do you know how much they hold in kgs?
DeleteI'd much rather spend our money on food than containers too. I did buy four big storage tubs for the rice and flour so they can stack in my laundry, I don't really want to put food in the shed.
I love Moccona coffee jars...the big ones.
ReplyDeleteI love the Moccona jars too Phil, shame about the coffee though :) I usually buy them when I see them at the op shop because they make great canisters for all sorts of things.
DeleteI've found old and new Tupperware in Op shops. Amazing what people throw out. I think the most I've paid is $5 for a set of Heat and Serves.
ReplyDeleteSome of the pre made salad containers (small) have been great for my sons teeny tiny bits of Lego.
Lots of my Tupperware has come from garage sales too, usually $1 or $2 a piece. They're the best source of the older style canisters and fridge containers and always so cheap. Tupperware cleans up really well with a little bicarb soda and water too so buying second hand isn't a problem.
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