How Do You Store Plastic Food Containers in a Storage Unit?
Sep 2, 2026 / Public Storage
Store plastic containers by washing and drying every container and lid, matching pieces when practical, and nesting containers from largest to smallest. Keep lids in a separate labeled bin or vertical organizer so they stay easy to find.
A storage unit can help when extra containers, kitchen items, and household supplies take up more cabinet space than you want to use at home. Store empty containers only; do not place food or liquids in a storage unit.
Plastic Container Storage Essentials:
- Wash and dry containers and lids fully before storage.
- Recycle or discard cracked, stained, or damaged containers.
- Nest similar containers from largest to smallest.
- Store matching lids vertically in a separate labeled bin or organizer.
- Group containers by size, use, or season.
- Use labeled bins for meal-prep containers, holiday containers, or extra kitchen storage.
- Place containers on shelving or another raised surface.
- Keep heavy boxes and furniture off plastic container bins.
Plastic Container Storage at a Glance:
How Should You Clean Plastic Containers Before Storage?
Clean plastic containers before storage by washing the containers and lids with warm water and mild dish soap. Remove food residue, oils, and odors, then let every piece dry fully before nesting or packing.
Check containers for cracks, stains, warped edges, or lids that no longer fit. Recycle or discard damaged pieces instead of storing them with usable containers.
How Do You Nest Plastic Containers to Save Space?
Nest plastic containers by placing similar shapes and sizes inside one another from largest to smallest. This reduces the amount of cabinet, bin, or shelf space the collection uses.
Do not force containers together if they do not fit easily. Group round, square, rectangular, and specialty containers separately to make nesting and retrieval easier.
Use this process:
- Sort containers by shape and size.
- Place the largest container on the bottom.
- Nest the next smaller container inside it.
- Continue until the stack is complete.
- Store lids separately in a labeled holder.
- Place the nested set in a drawer, cabinet, or storage bin.
How Should You Store Plastic Container Lids?
Store plastic container lids separately from bases to prevent clutter and make matching pieces easier to find. Place lids upright in a small bin, basket, drawer divider, or file-style holder.
Sort lids by shape or size, such as round, square, rectangular, large, or small. Keep lids that no longer match a container out of the storage system.
Use labels such as:
- Small Container Lids
- Large Container Lids
- Meal-Prep Container Lids
- Holiday Food Container Lids
What Containers Work Best for Storing Plastic Containers?
Use labeled bins, drawer organizers, baskets, or shelving for extra plastic containers. Choose a container that fits nested sets without compressing or bending them.
Keep empty containers clean and dry before placing them in any storage area.
Should You Use Climate-Controlled Storage for Plastic Containers?
Climate-controlled storage can be useful for plastic containers stored for longer periods, especially when they are part of a larger kitchen-storage collection. High heat can contribute to warping, fading, brittleness, or changes in plastic lids and seals. Changing humidity can also contribute to moisture-related odors if containers are packed away before they are fully dry.
More than 90% of Public Storage properties offer climate-controlled units. These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than non-climate-controlled storage.
Wash and dry containers fully, nest them loosely, store lids in separate labeled bins, and place all kitchen-storage containers on shelving or another raised surface.
How Should You Organize Plastic Containers in a Storage Unit?
Organize plastic containers in one kitchen-supplies area of the storage unit. Keep the containers you expect to retrieve soon near the entrance and place lower-use or seasonal sets farther back.
Keep labels facing outward. Group containers with related kitchen items, such as serving pieces, extra cookware, or seasonal table supplies.
How Often Should You Check Stored Plastic Containers?
Check stored plastic containers during seasonal kitchen rotations or before bringing a set back into regular use. Look for discoloration, odors, warping, cracks, or lids that no longer fit.
Wash containers again before using them for food. Recycle or discard damaged containers and update labels when the contents of a bin change.
Store Plastic Containers With a Clear Plan.
Plastic containers are easier to store when they are clean, dry, nested by size, and paired with an organized lid system. Keep everyday containers at home, put away lower-use sets, and label every bin so the right pieces are easy to find.
Find a Public Storage location near you to reserve climate-controlled storage for extra kitchen containers, seasonal serving pieces, household items, and belongings that do not fit your current cabinets.
A simple container system can make every kitchen reset easier to organize.
Plastic Container Storage FAQs
Can you store plastic food containers in a storage unit?
Yes. Store empty plastic containers after washing and drying them fully. Do not store food, liquids, or containers with food residue.
How do you store plastic containers without losing lids?
Nest containers by size and store lids upright in a separate labeled bin, drawer divider, or file-style holder.
Should plastic containers be stored with lids on or off?
Store lids separately when nesting containers to save space and make matching pieces easier to find. Keep matching sets grouped by size or shape.
Should you use climate-controlled storage for plastic containers?
Climate-controlled storage can be useful for plastic containers affected by high heat or changing humidity. More than 90% of Public Storage properties offer climate-controlled units.
How do you organize holiday food containers?
Wash and dry holiday containers, nest them by size, and place lids in a separate labeled holder. Store the collection in a seasonal kitchen-supplies bin.
