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How to store and preserve food with the right containers

Food waste often starts long before anything goes bad. Leftovers get pushed to the back of the fridge, dry goods lose their crunch and freezing feels more complicated than it needs to be. With the right storage, preserving food becomes less about effort and more about habit. This how-to looks at simple, intuitive ways to store food, showing how something as easy as choosing the right container can contribute to reducing food waste.
A white background with various IKEA 365+ food containers in rectangular glass and bamboo, neatly arranged on a countertop.

Turn leftovers into today’s meal

Leftovers are often the first thing that comes to mind when talking about food waste. That’s why food containers like IKEA 365+ have become a kitchen classic. Airtight and leakproof, they help keep leftovers protected in the fridge and ready to reheat. The transparent design makes it easy to see what’s inside while also being sturdy enough to bring on the go. Plus, they’re microwave-safe, making it easy to turn yesterday’s dinner into today’s lunch.

Add structure to your fridge

An organised fridge doesn’t just look good – it helps you keep track of what’s inside. KLIPPKAKTUS turntable makes it comfortable to reach bottles, jars and small items by simply spinning it, while raised edges keep everything secure. Paired with stackable boxes, it’s easy to see what you already have at home to avoid buying duplicates, while making the most of every ingredient and keeping everything in sight.
A kitchen fridge containing a transparent KLIPPKAKTUS storage box set of six, holding assorted vegetables and sauces.

Add structure to your fridge

An organised fridge doesn’t just look good – it helps you keep track of what’s inside. KLIPPKAKTUS turntable makes it comfortable to reach bottles, jars and small items by simply spinning it, while raised edges keep everything secure. Paired with stackable boxes, it’s easy to see what you already have at home to avoid buying duplicates, while making the most of every ingredient and keeping everything in sight.

Fruits you can see, grab, and enjoy

Keeping fruits and vegetables visible on shelves or on your worktop adds a warm, natural touch to your kitchen while helping you stay organised. Lightweight yet durable, CHOKLADHAJ wooden boxes are easy to move and stack, freeing up space while keeping foods within reach. By seeing everything at a glance, you can keep your kitchen tidy and convenient with the food you have on hand and plan around what’s available at home.
A kitchen shelf featuring wooden CHOKLADHAJ food storage boxes holding green fruits and vegetables.

Fruits you can see, grab, and enjoy

Keeping fruits and vegetables visible on shelves or on your worktop adds a warm, natural touch to your kitchen while helping you stay organised. Lightweight yet durable, CHOKLADHAJ wooden boxes are easy to move and stack, freeing up space while keeping foods within reach. By seeing everything at a glance, you can keep your kitchen tidy and convenient with the food you have on hand and plan around what’s available at home.

Organise and display

Keep your kitchen organised while showing off your ingredients. Whether its utensils and spice jars on countertops or fresh fruits and vegetables in baskets or pantries, everything stays within reach.

Keep dry pantry staples fresh and sealed

Storing dry foods like spices, grains and pantry staples properly helps them last longer and stay in good condition over time. EKLATANT and KORALLVIPPA jars offer airtight lids and transparent designs, so you can quickly see what’s inside while keeping ingredients fresh. For smaller items like spices and seeds, CITRONHAJ spice jars with silicone seals ensure secure storage that locks in flavour and freshness.

Store airflow-friendly foods with room to breathe

Cool, dark and well-ventilated – that’s the ideal environment for many pantry staples. Choosing storage that allows air to circulate helps keep foods like potatoes, onions and garlic in good condition. IKEA 365+ food storage baskets are designed to let air circulate while keeping contents visible, making them a practical choice for foods stored at room temperature. Use the baskets on their own for airflow, or add a lid when you want extra protection. Kept neatly in a pantry, they help you store foods the way they’re meant to be stored, so they stay usable for longer.
A white background with stacked transparent IKEA 365+ food storage baskets in white made from metal, containing various foods.

Store airflow-friendly foods with room to breathe

Cool, dark and well-ventilated – that’s the ideal environment for many pantry staples. Choosing storage that allows air to circulate helps keep foods like potatoes, onions and garlic in good condition. IKEA 365+ food storage baskets are designed to let air circulate while keeping contents visible, making them a practical choice for foods stored at room temperature. Use the baskets on their own for airflow, or add a lid when you want extra protection. Kept neatly in a pantry, they help you store foods the way they’re meant to be stored, so they stay usable for longer.

Preserving and fermenting at home

From colourful jams to tangy pickles, homemade treats deserve a place in your kitchen. With KORKEN jars you can easily turn your own preserved jams, pickles and ferments into a pantry showpiece. The airtight lids lock in flavour, while the clear glass lets you see every batch, meaning no more forgotten creations at the back of the shelf. Whether you’re a preserving pro or just starting out, these jars make it simple to keep everything neat, organised and ready to enjoy. Stacked on IVAR shelving, they turn everyday storage into an inspiring setup.

Tools and jars for your next preserving project

Fermenting and preserving doesn’t have to be too complicated. With the right tools and containers, you can turn everything from fresh veggies to homemade jams and pickles into long-lasting treats.

For long-term storage, trust the freezer

Jars, containers and storage solutions are great – but when it comes to making food last for extended periods, the freezer is your best friend. ISTAD resealable bags make freezing easy and organised. With a double seal, airtight design, they help protect flavour while keeping ingredients fresh for longer. They can also be hand-washed and reused and are suitable for anything from fruits, vegetables, to meats and leftovers.
A close-up featuring a hand demonstrating using ISTAD resealable bags to store foods inside the freezer.

For long-term storage, trust the freezer

Jars, containers and storage solutions are great – but when it comes to making food last for extended periods, the freezer is your best friend. ISTAD resealable bags make freezing easy and organised. With a double seal, airtight design, they help protect flavour while keeping ingredients fresh for longer. They can also be hand-washed and reused and are suitable for anything from fruits, vegetables, to meats and leftovers.

Little helpers for lasting food habits

From sealing clips to clever lunch bags and flexible food covers, these storage accessories make storing, preserving and transporting food simple – so nothing gets left behind.