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I need some good cheap ideas for a storing alternative to those large plastic bins. I have a couple of them, and after a few years, they develop a whiteish film substance on the inside. When you run your fingers across it, or paper towel, it comes off onto your hands. These have been in an airconditioned house in a closet with normal things inside. It is the actual bins that are doing this. So I cant keep them because this weird white stuff will rub off on to the things stored inside. I guess I can go with cardboard boxes, but not sure if they will keep the stored items nice.
A: If you're storing it and don't use it at Least once a year, get rid of it. Things used only once a year (holiday decorations mostly) are under a strict "buy one, dump one" policy to ensure my wife doesn't waste money on cheap junk. This cuts down on what you need to store, which means you have more options on how to store it.
B: If it's stuff you use, but need to store out of the way, then hire someone to build a custom storage solution (compartments/shelves/cubbies) in a closet or as part of an otherwise unused space (garage, guest bedroom, etc...)
C: Purchase one of the many other storage options (fabric bags, baskets, metal bins, I'm sure there are some wood option made from cedar for clothes, or the ubiquitous cardboard box).
D: Keep using the plastic bins, but use Another item as a barrier, such as a space-bag or sheet. If you're at all handy with a sewing machine, it'd be nothing to zip together some custom liners (and organizers) that perfectly fit your plastic bins.
I've never run into that problem either, but it sounds yucky!
I store seasonal stuff (like holiday decorations) in a collection of vintage suitcases. The suitcases are stacked to form an end table in the living room, and each is labeled with the contents on a vintage luggage tag. It's actually pretty cute. Tossing the idea out in case it might give anyone some inspiration.
The hardest part was finding a couple of vintage suitcases that weren't gross and musty inside. The ones I use are hard-sided.
Side note: I also have a set of vintage train cases that I use to store travel-size toiletries (for myself) and I have one reserved for travel size toiletries for overnight guests. All my friends/family know if they spend the night and forget a toothbrush or need some deodorant, they can look in the 1960s Samsonite train case. I also keep some basic OTC medications in there too (like advil, Tums, sudafed, etc) so they don't need to feel awkward about digging around in my medicine cabinet.
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