Storage

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

If you live far from grocery stores, consider buying a secondhand second fridge or freezer to store bulk items and reduce trips.
It can halve the number of trips to distant stores, saving time and convenience.
- It adds to your electricity bill.
one person who lived it
Place damp traps in drawers if clothes remain slightly damp after indoor drying in winter.
Dampness can occur near windows in winter.
- Specific to winter indoor drying near windows.
one person who lived it
Refrigerate eggs if you live in a country where they are commercially washed, such as the US, Japan, or Australia.
Washing removes the protective layer and weakens the shell, decreasing lifespan.
- In some countries, like South Africa, stores do not refrigerate eggs.
one person who lived it
Use racks and hanging storage in the kitchen.
They are wonderful for storage.
one person who lived it
Use milk crates as bookshelves if you move frequently.
The crates double as packing boxes.
one person who lived it

Store compressed grocery bags in saved Kleenex boxes to keep a stash accessible for cleaning small trash cans.
The bags scrunch up small enough to fit many in the box, providing convenient access for bathroom trash can cleanup.
one person who lived it
Store spices in metal or ceramic containers instead of clear ones to protect them from light.
Many spices and herbs dislike light exposure.
one person who lived it
Add middle supports to hanging shelves to distribute weight.
one person who lived it
Store organic items like cooking oils and alcohol in cabinets rather than near windows to prevent decomposition from sunlight.
Organic items decompose in sunlight.
one person who lived it

1 more on this

If you are in college, keep a wire mesh storage cube with yesterday's clothes ready to throw on in case of a fire alarm.
one person who lived it