I just had a BIG fight. . .with my Tupperware drawer!
By Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
United States
August 27, 2012 7:03pm CST
Why is it that no matter how neatly you stack your Tupperware and other plastic containers, they always fall over and get messy? And even worse no matter how many times I match up bottoms with lids when I put them away, when it is time to use the container again, I can't find a lid that fits????
Where do the lids go? It is almost as mind-boggling as the age-old missing sock question.
So, this afternoon, I couldn't find a bottom and top that matched in the size I needed, they all fell over into a heap, so I did the only thing I could do--pulled them all out and stuck them on the floor, muttering curses the whole time. Luckily my more-patient husband came by and broke up the fight between the plastic containers and myself (I was clearly outnumbered), and cleaned up the mess. And yes, he finally found a lid to my container. But it was only because I had been battling for the first few rounds and the containers finally gave up.
How many of you have fought similar battles with your Tupperware? Are you victorious or do you just admit defeat and use plastic wrap over a bowl instead? 
Where do the lids go? It is almost as mind-boggling as the age-old missing sock question.
So, this afternoon, I couldn't find a bottom and top that matched in the size I needed, they all fell over into a heap, so I did the only thing I could do--pulled them all out and stuck them on the floor, muttering curses the whole time. Luckily my more-patient husband came by and broke up the fight between the plastic containers and myself (I was clearly outnumbered), and cleaned up the mess. And yes, he finally found a lid to my container. But it was only because I had been battling for the first few rounds and the containers finally gave up.
How many of you have fought similar battles with your Tupperware? Are you victorious or do you just admit defeat and use plastic wrap over a bowl instead? 2 people like this
8 responses
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
28 Aug 12
When we cleaned out the pantry a few weeks ago we took all the plastics we could find and I started washing them. Meaning, I filled up the top with plastics and whatever was safe on the bottom and then the rest of the dishes... actually, the dishes went in first and then the plastics. But after they were washed, they all got crammed into some plastic storage bins. So, last Friday I went though and put tops with bottoms. I still have a few left over we are looking for tops (or bottoms) for, but the rest are combined and consolidated.
I got it from 2 full bins to 1 full and 1 partial bins. I know there are still a few plastics running around and I'm looking for them to wash and put away...
However, we haven't found a place for them to live and they can't LIVE in the bins forever, they are IN THE WAY!
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
28 Aug 12
It sounds like you are off to a good start. . .but you are right, you will have to put them somewhere. . .and then the battle will start anew! 
1 person likes this
@echoforever (5180)
• United States
28 Aug 12
Yep this is the problem i have with tupperware. You'll always have to search for a lid unless you get those one's that lock together. those are nice and you won't have them all tumble out of the cupboard. I just though of an idea though. Mark the tupperware and lid with a sharpie in color that will fit which one...
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
28 Aug 12
That is a good idea, although if I keep losing them after I have marked them, I will REALLY be freaked out! 
I'll know it's elves or gnomes or something for sure! 
I'll know it's elves or gnomes or something for sure! 1 person likes this
@echoforever (5180)
• United States
28 Aug 12
I blame gremlins before the gnomes and elves! those furry lil guys are always so hungry!
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
28 Aug 12
This happens to me a lot too. we tried going through the drawer and getting rid of anything that didn't have a matching lid, and we started out with a nice set of containers, but we acquired other people's containers, lost a few of ours, and now this drawer is a mess again and I can't find lids for a bunch of the containers.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
28 Aug 12
Hi cutepenguin,
I feel your pain. This is exactly what happens to us too. And unlike other drawers that I clean out, this one gets messy again VERY quickly. Maybe I should stop accepting other people's containers until my supply is completely diminished!
@AmbiePam (120738)
• United States
28 Aug 12
You're awfully funny! Back when my mom was not in the grips of dementia she got tired of "mysteriously" losing lids and not finding the same size lid for the same size container. So she bought one of those rotating tupperware thins, like a lazy susan for tupperware. Only the lids were in separate dividers so they couldn't fall out or get misplaced. Solved the problem.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
29 Aug 12
That's a good suggestion although I hate to spend any more money on things that already drive me crazy! Might be worth it, though. . .
You just have to laugh about this kind of thing, because it's not worth getting upset over it (or too upset).
Sorry about your mom. Hope things are ok, or as ok as can be expected. 
Sorry about your mom. Hope things are ok, or as ok as can be expected. 1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
28 Aug 12
Haha! I can imagine all that Tupperware on the floor and I bet they all looked the same (even though they aren't) at that moment, adding to your frustration.
As for me, I have various containers including 3 different-sized Pyrex dishes with lids on. All 3 can be stored together, a bit like a Russion Doll, one in the other, if that makes sense.
When I first got a Morrisons plastic box with lid it took me forever to put the lid onto the box. I have since discovered there is a knack. Press the side furthest away down first, then move the front round to the back, then press down again; it's easier that way. Mind you, in its early days it had every swear word uttered in front of it. It's a wonder the lid didn't turn blue lol.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Aug 12
Haha! Yes indeed. My Pyrex bowls give out the same effect with the glass and the same reddy-purply plastic lids!
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
29 Aug 12
You seem to have conquered your war with the plastic container armies. . .I like the stacking idea, although I still seem to end up with ones that can't be stacked.
And oh yes, Tupperware pieces have an amazing ability to all look the same--must be some sort of camouflage technique learned at plastic container boot camp!
@liviaslife73 (238)
• United States
28 Aug 12
Of course this is a battle that has been going on for years & years. My grandmother battled the Tupperware back in the 40's, my Mom in the 70's & finally me in the years following 2000. No matter how neatly I try to stack my Tupperware & keep the matching lids close by, when it comes time to use one of them I can never find a matching lid. Like you & the many women who have gone through this before me I either lose the fight w/ the Tupperware entirely & toss out the bowls w/ no lids or retreat so that I may return to continue this fight on another day. This is a battle that no woman has ever won thus far. I'm sorry to say that your children will one day have this fight on their hands as well.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
28 Aug 12
Ahh. . .a fellow warrior! You know exactly what I am talking about! And it is true, my mother fought the same battle, and I am sure her mother did before her. My only hope for my children is that hopefully some new contraption will be invented before they go off to war that will negate the need for plastic containers entirely. I know it is unlikely, but one can dream. . .
@mrswhitfield (2044)
• Indonesia
28 Aug 12
I once in your problems, but it was because I have bought low quality tupperware, the lid and the bowl can not match after sometimes. But I try to buy high quality product, and they are just fine till now. I think its just about their product quality
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
28 Aug 12
HHmm. . .you might be right. This may be at least part of the problem, for sure. I will try your suggestion and see if it helps.
@Shavkat (141905)
• Philippines
28 Aug 12
I do have that kind of issue, I can't focus to something if I do looking for something. It is like a puzzle, finding the link. I know what you feel.lol
