So I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was frustrated with my labels from my label maker not staying stuck on my plastic bins. Here is what I mean (and this is after adding a piece of tape to it to try and make it stick):
Grrr. So annoying! If there is anything I’ve learned in the last couple of years is that small frustrations like these can be toxic if we consistently let it bother us without doing something about it. Luckily, for the most part, there is almost always a way to solve the problem. I knew there had to be a solution out there and you all had many suggestions to offer up. Thank you!
However as I sat here one night I happened to glance over at where I keep my stash of 3M Command products and saw one of their products I hadn’t put to use yet. Which product am I talking about?
3M Command Brand Picture Clips
These are designed to hold pictures but I thought, why not labels instead? So I tried it and it worked beautifully. I can easily snap in a new label (I just printed off cardstock labels on my printer) whenever I need too and they stay put!! You should have seen how excited I got about the whole thing. I was jumping up and down and all around. Seriously it takes so little to amuse me…ha! I also new it was the end of an annoying problem and I was not going to be irked no more. Take that you labels that don’t stick. Whoot!!
Let me show you some pictures:
Want a great way to organize your fridge? Add a basket or two to contain “like with like”. I was tired of my condiments all over the place. A beautiful basket to the rescue!
Of course the fact that I have an 11 year old son means the word condiments gets a giggle every time he sees it.
It’s one of those things where I wonder why I didn’t think of it sooner. It’s such a perfect non-permanent solution. I LOVE versatility in an organizing product!!
3M asked me to do a video for them of my experience (which was also very exciting as you can imagine) so I calmed myself right down and gave it a go. You can see that video clip by clicking below. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to embed it into my blog.
So there you have it. An inexpensive (you get 6 clips to a pack) organizing solution to a terribly annoying problem. Yay!!
Halley says
I especially like the refrigerator idea!!! Nice tips! 🙂
Allison P. says
Ah! I love this blog!
Rae says
The fridge picture made me laugh because after The Attack of the Condiments I decided to corral all my condiments into a basket… which is exactly the same as yours. Too funny!
I live alone and know where things are, so I don’t label everything, however. Much as I get tempted to do so. 🙂
Sheri Bertolini says
Great idea! I can’t wait to try that. And I love what you said about “small annoyances like these can become toxic.” I couldn’t agree more. LOVE finding solutions to annoyances. Thanks!
Joyce says
Brillant!
Sallie @ Texas Cottage says
I’ve used the 3M picture hangers in my classroom, but I’ve never used the clips. What a great idea! I never could get the labels to stay on the baskets in my classroom library. Thanks for the tip!
Melissa G. says
LOVE this idea! Do you have any suggestions for getting labels to stick to the fabric cubes? I love the look of them and my kids have organized their toys with them, but the labels keep falling off, even with tape. I even took a picture of what is in each cube and tried to tape it on the front, but it keeps falling off.
Laura says
I’ve got a couple of suggestions. Do the fabric cubes have a handle? Tie labels on similar to this post:
https://orgjunkie.com/2007/11/organizing-kids-toys-with-cubby-storage-free-printable.html
Or if not, use velcro strips to attach them. Works great!!
Hope that helps!
Melissa G. says
I have tried velcro strips, but they don’t stay on either, so I’ll try to tie the labels. Thanks so much for your help!
Melissa H says
I’ve used business card label holders. Worked great on some and okay on others.
Fiddledeedee says
LOVE it. I have a drawer full of extra 3M clips.
You’re going to be so proud of me. I just made my own coupon box, even creating my own dividers. I will post tomorrow. 🙂
Sabrina says
Love this idea!
I would suggest using laminated sheets around the label part to make the paper more permanent. Especially, for the refrigerator basket.
For baskets with holes in the front, I have also used Cable ties or twit ties and hole punched the label and placed the cable ties through the basket and label to hold them together. To remove, you can cut the cable with scissors.
Thanks for sharing the photos! Love the photos.
Rachel Owens says
Great idea! Love it. Will definitely have to remember this. Thanks for the suggestion and photos to see exactly how you did it.
Julieann says
Hi Laura, I always love visiting your blog. Such wonderful ideas:)
I have a question though. If you put all your condiments in a basket in the fridge, what do you keep in the little shelves on the door?
Have a lovely day:)
Julieann
Laura says
Great question! I actually have salad dressings over there (now that it’s summer our collection has grown) and I also keep my milks in the door as well.
Julieann says
Ah-ha!!! Great idea. I have two fridges, and it still doesn’t seem like enough room. I love that idea, of freeing up the space on the shelves for more things like dressing:)
Thank you, Laura!
Julieann
Amanda Thomas says
Loooove this! Love how I can easily change the labels!
Erink says
great tip! You can get these at Michaels or Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon too! Just added them to my shopping list! Thanks
Cindy says
When we got a new fridge. I noticed we ran out of door space but had room for the smaller-than-ketchup condiments on a top shelf. I got an 8×8 gladware pan and put all of the picnic-type condiments together (mayo, mustards, pickles, relish). Everytime we have guests over for hamburgers or deli sandwiches, I get a little giddy when I pull out the tray or put it back! So easy to make 1 trip than collecting all of the bottles & struggling with the sliding glass door 🙂
Nicky at Not My Mother says
Nice idea, but I’m curious as to why you didn’t just stick your labels to the solid part of the basket either at the bottom or under the lip at the top – it’s still readable and organised but at least your label has a chance to stick where there’s something to stick to…?
Laura says
Hi Nicky, I did try that but for whatever reason the labels still didn’t stick especially on the cheaper dollar store baskets. The basket in my fridge is from Walmart and little more heavier duty so it might have worked there, but now I’m hooked on my new method 🙂
Sue from Livin In Duckville says
Too funny, Laura. You make me giggle when you get so excited. If organizing was ‘nerdy’ you’d be the queen. 😛 Someday, when I grow up, I’m gonna be ‘nerdy’ like you!!!
Robib says
Love this! Totally what I need for my baskets. I’m almost done reorganizing my closet with baskets I already had and was wondering what I was going to use for “labels” —-> I was thinking hanging tags, but I like these better, plus I have a couple 3M Q’s. 🙂
Bunny says
Do you have any suggestions for shelf placement in the fridge? I’ve tried moving them so what we buy will go where I want it, but it never seems to keep its rhyme or reason, even with baskets (I have clear trays meant for the fridge).
Laura says
My friend just wrote this post about organizing fridge shelves that might be helpful to you:
http://organizingmadefun.blogspot.ca/2013/10/31-days-of-spontaneous-organizing-day.html
Lori says
Oh Laura! My husband knew something was up when I had the label maker out in the kitchen. He immediately asked where I was getting my ideas. He knew that I didn’t have this much organizational skill on my own. I told him that I had been reading your blog and it all made much more sense to him. HA!
Laura says
Haha I love it Lori!