I've fought the tendency to be a packrat all my life. I come from a long line of them. Thoughts of, "But...I might use that someday..." or "But that's a perfectly good [whatever]!" are something I've often struggled with. Unfortunately, with four kids and a not-so-large house, keeping everything I might use someday is a luxury I can't afford!
One thing that always seemed like it might be useful, but I couldn't think how, were the vinyl, zippered bags that linens often come in. You know the ones....sheet sets, blankets, etc. frequently come in them. I never found a use for them, though, so I would reluctantly throw them away.
Well.
Not too long ago, I had a lightbulb moment.
These bags are the perfect toy-storage solution!
They are perfect for almost any kind of blocks or building toys...
...a dream for containing all the Little People people, animals, and vehicles (that one there is a queen size mattress pad bag...funny, it doesn't look as huge in the picture as it does in my living room)...
...work great for Barbies and their clothing...
...even action figures...
...a smaller one holds baby toys perfectly...
...well, you get the idea!
I've long been a fan of using large Ziploc or Glad storage bags to store toys and various other items so I don't know why I didn't think to use these sooner. They are sturdier, and for those of us who still have small ones, the zippers are much easier for little hands to manipulate than the "slide lock zipper" closures on the Ziploc-type bags. They come in various sizes, to accommodate multiple types of toys. They're also easier to handle than plastic totes and bins. My tiny, petite, 3 year old can wrangle that big ole' bag of Little People out of the toy cabinet and all the way across the room to her chosen spot...she couldn't do that with a tub or bin large enough to handle the same quantity. Cleanup is easy too...grab the bag, throw everything in, and carry (or drag if necessary!) it back to it's designated shelf or cabinet.
I was thrilled a few days ago to discover a stash of them in a laundry room cabinet that I evidently couldn't bring myself to toss! A few more toy sets will be shedding their beat up storage bags or unwieldy tubs and bins and going straight into those babies! These bags definitely work for me!
For more tips and ideas about what is working for others, make sure to visit Works For Me Wednesday over at We Are That Family.
This post is also linked with Make Do Mondays at Ann Kroeker...take a look to see how others are simplifying, repurposing, using what they have, and being creative.
We have those exact same blocks in your very first photo - the square, yet triangular ones! My mother-in-law lives in Berlin, Germany and sent them for a gift. I've never seen them in the states, so I thought they were only overseas. Except, ours have been stored in an old shoebox and unfortunately, we've lost several of them. :( I will definitely be using my bedding zippered bags for storage - what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I think I've got one of those bags somewhere, now I know what to do with it. Lisa
ReplyDeleteLove it! I have so many of these bags stuffed in my closet because I knew there had to be something I could use them for. I'll be pulling them out tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I recently used some of the large ones to store my winter clothes. Smaller ones (from curtains or pillow cases) I've been using in my diaper bag. One for a change of clothes/pajamas for the baby and another to put a little diaper kit together....a few diapers, disposable changing pad, travel pack of wipes, diaper disposal bag, etc. That way, when I'm out, I can just grab the little diaper kit and change the baby and not have to haul the entire diaper bag out of the corner of whomever's house I am at. I'll be sure to use them for toys too, when the baby is a bit older.
ReplyDeleteGood idea...use what you have around the house. These would be great for camping, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for using those bags. I have been using one to store my Christmas wreath.
ReplyDeletewww.homeschoolblogger.com/kristenph
I do this too - it is such a great solution! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for those bags. I like the comment above that said they use it for their Christmas wreath. Now I can stop throwing those bags away.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! It always does seem to be a shame to throw them away. I use cloth diapers, and I put these in my diaper bag to hold wet diapers 'til I get home. You can buy "wet bags," but I had so many of these and they work great!
ReplyDeletegreat idea! I'm so bummed I was hanging on to mine and JUST threw them away. Ahhh I'll have to start saving them again. =) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI also save those bags. I have stored all kinds of things in them!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I save those bags too!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I save up mine too. But I use mine for carrying toiletries when traveling.
ReplyDelete:)
Come by and visit me over at Free 2 Be Frugal!
Thanks for the great idea,I have some of these bags stored away and now i know what to use them for.I hate throwing useful things away,even if you don't know how to reuse them at first,lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments and many more great suggestions for using these bags!
ReplyDeleteHooray for plastic bags ... and hooray for reusing them, too!
ReplyDeleteThose big, awkward, oddly shaped toys are working great in your big bedding bags--great make-do solution!
Thanks for participating,
Ann
I wish I'd read this before throwing all mine away. My son and I both hate the plastic shoe boxes that we are using now. The lids never stay on, and they don't fit well at all in his to chest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the idea. Now I'm off to shop for linens. lol