Don't Toss Empty Plastic Containers - Reuse Them For A Clever Shoe Storage Hack

How many times have you picked up an empty food container and tossed it in the recycling bin without a second thought? Since they seem like trash, it's what most people do. Yet, you could also repurpose them around the home and garden in useful and stylish ways, whether you reuse leftover containers in a clever seed-spreading hack or put them to work storing your footwear. Shoes, sneakers, and flip-flops can become a cluttered mess in anyone's closet. But with large plastic food containers, you're able to easily organize your shoes by giving each pair its own clear receptacle.

The production of plastic has drastically increased over the past two decades, and not all of it is properly recycled. To stop some of that plastic from polluting our planet, start saving your containers for gardening, craft, and organization projects. You can even repurpose old drink containers for optimal organization around the home! For this shoe hack, though, you'll need plastic boxes that are large and clear, such as from take-out food, bakery items, or salad. The key is to hang onto containers that are big enough to hold your shoes. Naturally, you'll want to clean the containers first. Start by getting rid of any remaining food and giving them a good rinse with hot water. Use a paper towel to wipe away any grease. Next, wash the containers in a sink of warm water and dish soap until they are thoroughly clean. Use a towel to dry them off, and allow them to sit and air dry fully.

Go through your closet and pick out the shoes you'd like to organize. Then, place a pair in the leftover container that best matches its size. If you're organizing flip-flops or a kid's closet, you might even be able to fit more than one pair. Although these containers are essentially similar to "shoeboxes," this is a brilliant repurposing idea because the clear plastic material allows you to see inside of the box. With these, you don't have to fumble around opening different shoeboxes looking for a specific pair. If you don't typically use shoeboxes, it's a way to keep your sneakers and sandals off the ground, where they risk getting scuffed and smashed. The plastic offers protection, while the transparency makes picking out shoes a breeze. Plus, any small gaps in the container allow for ventilation to remove odors and moisture and keep your footwear fresh, making for a genius shoe storage idea for small closets.

Use containers of similar sizes and shapes so that you can easily stack them on a closet shelf. Plus, this will make it look much more organized. Add sticker labels to the outside of the boxes to ensure each pair has its own designated spot. Or, if you want to get crafty, you could decorate them any way you'd like. Is using leftover containers a storage solution for everybody? Probably not. However, it's an excellent hack if you don't want to spend extra money on organizational items and you love to upcycle.