The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find So Good I Went Back for 2 More

Every year, when school starts again, I tell myself that this is the year I will keep the kitchen organized, prep snacks, and pack lunches without panic. And every year, around week three, I’m standing in front of a chaotic fridge, wondering how I forgot the cold packs (again) and whether I can count a string cheese as a vegetable.

The school year is almost over, but (I think) I’ve learned my lesson, and I’m starting to think ahead. When I came across these plastic woven storage baskets at Dollar Tree, I immediately tossed one into my cart with the explicit intention of making it work hard for me. And so far, it really has.

Why I Love Dollar Tree’s Plastic Woven Storage Baskets

At approximately 10 x 6 x 4 inches in size, they’re ideal for storing individual snacks like granola and protein bars, freeze-dried fruit, and applesauce pouches, so I can finally keep the kids’ lunch stuff in one easy-to-reach spot. 

It’s lightweight but sturdy, with just enough flexibility to slide in and out of pantry or cupboard shelves without scraping or catching. And it actually looks decently nice? The Dollar Tree sells them in grey, black, navy blue, and white, and the neutral colors give any pantry a clean, tidy feel.

They’re also easy to clean because they can be quickly wiped down with a dishcloth or scrubbed more thoroughly with soapy water.

I’ve since picked up a couple more. One bin holds the snacks, and another holds excess wrapping products, like parchment, foil, sandwich bags, and wraps. I tuck them in vertically for easy identifiability and access.

The third sits in my freezer, keeping my frozen smoothie packs organized and accessible. But you could also dedicate a basket to the week’s meal ingredients, allowing you to skip the daily scavenger hunt for tomato paste or taco seasoning.

Pull it out when it’s time to cook, and everything will be ready. Or tuck one under the kitchen sink to wrangle a misfit collection of dishwasher tabs, scrubbers, and backup sponges.

They nest neatly when not in use—since I’ve had them, they’ve been working full-time. I’ve met my original goal of making heading out to school each morning easier. I can quickly grab the one snack bin that holds everything and pick an appropriate snack to add to the fruit, vegetables, and other goodies without moving things around in a cupboard or opening multiple packages.

It’s not a perfect system, but it’s simple, works, and one less thing to stress about before the coffee kicks in.

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