Top 10 Closet Storage Do’s and Don’ts: #3

This is the third in a series of Top 10 Closet Storage Do’s and Don’ts.

3. DON’T store items in opaque containers. Attractive boxes and baskets are intended for display-worthy spaces, not closets and other storage spaces. Colored plastic bins are good for hiding items, but not for organizing them. Under no circumstances should you store items of value in black trash bags. Trash bag contents tend to get mixed up with—well, trash.

DO store items in clear boxes. I know that some might argue that there are greener choices than plastic containers. The clear plastic containers I recommend are #5 polypropylene. According to thegreenguide.com they “transmit no known chemicals, but you may have a more difficult time finding someone to recycle your #4 and #5 containers.” I would argue that there is significantly less reason to get rid of a clear plastic boxes than other organizing “solutions”. I believe accordion files and Easter baskets recycle just fine. Clear containers enable you to see what you have, increasing the likelihood that you will actually use the contents and decreasing the likelihood that you will make excess purchases. Opaque containers often hold items you don’t want to deal with. If your space is limited, start by looking at what is hiding in those opaque containers. It’s probably time to reduce, reuse (donate), and recycle.

Today’s key to unlocking clutter.  Reveal don’t Conceal.