Plastic storage bins have more uses than you might think, and can even save you money

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Spring cleaning season may be wrapping up, but there’s no wrong time to begin organizing your home. Going through the contents of every room can feel like a big, overwhelming task, so just starting on this project may be the biggest hurdle in itself. As someone who loves a good cleaning hack, I personally understand this challenge and will take any excuse to streamline household chores. When it comes to sprucing up any cluttered spaces, plastic storage bins make it nearly effortless.

Plastic storage bins are extremely easy to utilize. Simply throw whatever messy piles you have growing on the floor, bed, or cabinets into the bins to tidy things up. This basic routine is best for those who really want to complete their spring cleaning checklist quickly. Putting a little more thought into how you use these storage containers delivers a better outcome, as we will explain below.

8 practical ways to use plastic storage bins

You can be really creative with how you use plastic storage bins. You can use them to transport groceries from the car to the house or create a makeshift clean-up tub that holds all the random odds and ends found around the house at the end of the day. Most commonly, plastic storage bins will be used for long-term storage. 

You have two categories to choose from when shopping for plastic storage bins for your home. Do you like to see what’s inside the containers without removing the lid? You’ll want to stick with clear options, like the Sterilite 160-Quart Extra-Large Wheeled Storage Bin, which is on sale for less than $20 at Walmart. Others may prefer the uniform look of a solid-color storage bin, like the Sterilite Extra-Large 40-Gallon Wheeled Industrial Storage Bin, found at the same price point. If you opt for a storage bin that’s not transparent, you’ll also need to put a labeling system in place to save yourself a headache down the road. Regardless of which you choose, storage bins not only organize your space but can even help you save money. When properly labeled, you can store items out of the way without forgetting what’s in which bin. This ultimately avoids accidentally buying duplicates of the same things you already have. 

Sterilite 160-Quart Extra-Large Wheeled Storage Bin

Sterilite Extra-Large 40-Gallon Wheeled Industrial Storage Bin

You can use plastic storage bins to organize virtually anything that fits, but we’ve broken it down into eight common categories. 

Out-of-season clothing

Unless you have a spacious closet that fits your entire wardrobe, you need to rotate your summer and winter clothing each year. Placing your sweaters, cold-weather accessories, and snow boots in a plastic bin with a lid means they’ll be dust-free when you unpack them in the fall. Separating your wardrobe by season can also save time as you pick out your clothing each morning since you have fewer items to sift through.

Holiday decor

The Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving wreath, Christmas tree, and other holiday decor can have a home in a plastic storage container. If you have a special doormat for spring or art accent pieces for autumn, these bins will also work for organizing any seasonal decor. When you’re storing multiple containers, smaller storage bins that fit on storage shelves in the basement or garage can be extra helpful. Since they aren’t clear, you might have to label them to know what’s inside, but the good news is you won’t have to worry about your decorations fading over time. 

CX 27-Gallon Heavy Duty Storage Bins

CX 4-Tier Heavy Duty Plastic Storage Shelves

Outdoor gear and sporting equipment

Do your favorite pastimes involve fishing at the lake or camping on a scenic trail? Or perhaps you prefer to spend your free time shooting hoops or kicking around a soccer ball in the backyard. All your specialized outdoor gear and sporting equipment can be neatly arranged in plastic storage tubs.

Gardening tools

If you have a green thumb, you can use these containers for holding trowels, seeds, and potting soil. However, gardeners can also make use of plastic storage bins in multiple ways, like using them as a mini greenhouse or as a bottom watering station for houseplants. You could even use it for food scraps to start a batch of compost. 

Crafting supplies

Those who spend their free time crafting will find plastic storage bins incredibly useful. It’s a great way to keep all your spools of yarn or Cricut materials in one go-to spot. For smaller objects, like beads for jewelry making, you’ll want to stick with smaller containers or drawer organizers.

Toiletries

I can’t be the only one who buys deodorant and toothpaste in bulk at Costco or Sam’s Club for the best value. I even buy the multi-packs when I see them on sale at Walgreens or Walmart. If you stock up on toiletries like me, you can keep the extras in a storage bin in the bathroom closet so they’re out of the way, but still easily accessible when you need to replace a used-up bottle. 

Pantry staples

For kitchens that don’t have enough shelf or counter space, plastic bins can also be handy for organizing your pantry staples. If you don’t bake often, you can keep all the baking powder, flour, and vanilla in a tub that you only pull out when it’s time to whip something up. If you have a crowded spice rack, you could also utilize it to store the extra paprika and cinnamon. 

Power cords and electronics

Do you ever find a random charging cord without an obvious purpose? Throwing it out could be a problem later, so a plastic storage bin is a great way to keep these cords contained. This plastic storage bin can be specifically for power cords and older electronics, like a digital camera and an old Chromebook, but it could also become an oversized junk drawer, clearing out a spot in the kitchen. 

How to streamline your home with plastic storage bins

The first step to organizing your home with plastic storage bins is determining what you actually want to store, but there are two main areas we suggest mulling over before you start.

• Find your focus. Is there an overflowing room or closet that needs the most help? Maybe it’s the garage filled with power tools and sporting equipment. Also, consider if there are specific items, like crafting supplies or stacks of old textbooks, that you want to address first. 
• What container best serves your purposes? Now that you have a starting point, what size plastic storage container will you need? You can find massive plastic tubs equipped with wheels, which are best suited for large and bulky items, or you may want something smaller. Also consider if you want a clear bin to see the contents at a glance, or prefer a solid color for a more uniform look. 

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