We have found three storage materials that work better (by far) for me–metal, glass, & ceramic. Not only are they stable materials, but also when they are washed, they “release” scents and other chemicals that might be clinging to them. Therefore, even “pre-owned” items in these categories work for me!!
Metal:
- We use popcorn tins and Christmas tins for everything from toys to office supplies to snacks (if the tins aren’t rusty).
- Last year we got a large number of beautiful popcorn tins from a family involved with the traditional boyscout popcorn fundraiser. You might try connecting with a boy scout on this! Maybe the popcorn customers would like to donate the empty tins to a good cause (someone with MCS) when they are finished with the popcorn.
- Some resale shops and used clothing places have tins now & then.
- We had to get used to “circular storage,” 🙂 but it works.
- Metal file cabinets are a life-saver for organization of my papers.
- Metal shelves are wonderful!! We lay a thin sheet of cardboard under our canned goods to keep them from “wobbling” on the metal shelf “bars.” (Cardboard isn’t perfect, but that small amount isn’t a big deal to me.) You could also use disposable metal baking sheets.
- We use metal mixing bowls in our kitchen a lot. Sometimes I even use extra bowls for storing small toys.
Glass:
- Baby food jars are so nice for small things.
- Any and every type of canning jar is good for leftovers, nuts, other snacks, frozen bread crumbs, etc.
- We keep glass jars from salsa, etc. and use those as well. (Though sometimes things stored in salsa jars will pick up salsa scent, at least to my very sensitive nose! 🙂 )
- We freeze some things (lemon juice, egg whites) in small amounts in ice-cube trays and then dump the cubes into large glass jars to keep in the freezer.
Ceramic:
- I have coffee mugs full of pencils everywhere in my house!
- Pretty ceramic bowls could work on very safe shelves away from children.
- Just a tidbit of random info: before I got MCS, I had only one collection: tea cups. Was that a gift from God that my tea cups are one of the few “non-essentials” we could save from the mold house?! Also, I started collecting tea cups and later found out my great-grandmother had also collected tea cups! Can something like that be hereditary? 🙂
Do you have more thoughts on using metal, glass, or ceramic? Do you know of other low-chemical storage products? I would love to hear your ideas!!!
