Thursday, February 14, 2013

58 UHeart Organizing: 3 Simple Steps to Stylish Pet Food Storage + Free Printable!

As we tackle the kitchen space this month, it is important to remember and consider all members of the family.  Adults, kids and our furry friends!  To offer up an adorable way to store your pet food, Serena from Pretty Fluffy is joining us today!  I never knew pet food storage could look so good!



To be honest I really was tossing up giving this post another title. Because really, nothing says ugly and boring like pet food storage. You’re probably sitting there thinking of dusty old plastic containers sitting out in the garage, half eaten packets of treats and all sorts of unappealing things lurking the in depths of your cupboards. Monica Gellar would not be proud.

But today is all about saying goodbye to those images, and saying a big fat hello to stylish, safe and modern pet food storage. Because you know what? It’s not as hard as you might think! Here are my top 3 tips for simple, yet ridiculously good looking, pet food storage.


1. Dry Food + Trash Can = Happy Storage Solution

For most people kibble forms the main part of their pet’s diet, so of course it gets number one billing when we’re talking about storage.
There are so many options out there – plastic tubs, storage bins, and even high tech pet food storage containers. But for me the numero uno option will always be popping the dry kibble bags in a good old stainless steel trash can. Why? Well Oscar the Grouch was onto to something my friends…
  • Pet food companies spend a lot of money on designing pet food bags to keep the food fresh. By keeping the kibble in the bag it came in, it stays fresh and tasty for your dog.  You also have the bag to refer to if there are ever any pet food recalls.
  • By keeping the food in the bag and popping in the trash can, the can prevents any little critters getting in {safety first} and also hides away that eyesore of the dog food bag that’s been sitting on your kitchen counter {prettiness second}.
  • Trash cans are inexpensive and come in a range of sizes. Whether you have a solitary cat or a litter of Great Danes, you can find a trash can in a size to suit you that won’t break the bank.
  • You can dress them up as much as you want. I’m partial to the rustic galvanized silver look, but the sky is really the limit as to what paint, labels, or designs you want to add to fit the look of your kitchen. 


HOW TO:
You’ll Need: trash can, iron on transfer paper, white fabric {calico, cotton etc}, spray adhesive, food scoop
  • Pick out the best trash can size for your storage needs. Wash it thoroughly in warm soapy water, rinse and dry.
  • Print out your label {download the free printable in pink HERE and in blue HERE} onto iron on transfer paper. Using a hot iron, iron the transfer on to the white fabric. When cool, trim your label.
  • Using an adhesive spray, glue your fabric label to your trash can. Voila! Stylish pet food storage!


2. Treat Yo’ Self with some Treat Jars

Hands up who buys pet treats, opens them, and then leaves them lying around the kitchen? Yep, I totally used to do that too. But not anymore. Sister got herself some glass treat jars. What’s to love about them?
  • They’re inexpensive. Whether you buy dollar store versions, or recycle old honey and coffee jars, glass treat jars leave you with change in your pocket.
  • Because some treats can be stored for more than a week, glass is preferable over long term plastic storage.
  • Their air tight seals keep the treats smelling and tasting fresh to your furry friend.


HOW TO:
You’ll Need: glass jars, iron on transfer paper, white fabric {calico, cotton etc}, spray adhesive.
  • Thoroughly wash and dry your jars.
  • Print out your labels {download the free printable in pink HERE and in blue HERE} onto iron on transfer paper. Using a hot iron, iron the transfer on to the white fabric. When cool, trim your labels.
  • Using an adhesive spray, glue your fabric labels to your jars.


3. Resuable Containers + Washi Tape = Fridge Fresh Food

When it comes to wet food, whether you prefer store bought or home made pet food, both require safe storage. In my experience I’ve found the easiest and safest way is through reusable containers and washi tape labels. Why are they great?
  • Once opened, canned pet food ideally should not be left in the tin. It’s not good for the other contents in your fridge, or the quality of the pet food inside. Plus apparently dog food left in the tin doesn’t taste too good. I have NO IDEA who tested out that theory.
  • Reusable containers allow the portions of a can or a homemade batch of food to be divided into meal portions and frozen/microwaved where necessary.
  • Washi tape labels are a simple, stylish and cheap way to display use by dates. 


HOW TO:
You’ll Need: Reusable containers, washi tape.
  • Simply divide the full amount of wet food into meal portions and place into containers.
  • Attach a snippet of washi tape and write on the use by date.
  • Once a meal is eaten, simply remove the tape, wash the container and you’re ready to start again.


Don’t have a pet? You can still use these tips!

Do you know what I love about these storage solutions? They are completely transferable to non-pet items.

Mini trash cans are perfect for storing bulk bags of rice or grains, cute treat jars can be filled with our very own treats {I’m looking at you Hershey Kisses!} and washi tape labels are perfect for leftovers.

How do you store your pet food? What are your tips for keeping things fresh, stylish and organized?


"I am Serena Faber Nelson, a television producer, writer and fluffy dog owner.  Obsessed with home décor, fashion, lifestyle and dogs – I set about creating Pretty Fluffy as a go-to guide for the modern pet owner.   Featuring a range of stylish products, celebrity pooches, DIY projects and handy hints, Pretty Fluffy is a daily stop for smiles and inspiration, giving readers the tools they need to enjoy full and happy lives with their furry friends.  My greatest loves include fresh peonies, Dirty Dancing (Nobody puts Baby in a corner), Banoffe Pie, spending waaay too much time on Pinterest, and hugging random dogs at the park.  I currently live in Sydney, Australia with my husband, Andy, and my 11 year old Border Collie, Soda. As a long time fan, I am super excited to be joining the IHeart Organizing Team!"

58 comments:

  1. I wish my cat would eat dried food! I feed her pouches, and I don't know of a particularly pretty way to store those!

    Some great ideas though.

    www.gleepface.com

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    Replies
    1. Thankyou! Maybe in a cute little storage container without the lid and a nice label? I have to say food pouches are probably much nicer looking that big bags of kibble anyway! :)

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  2. LOVE your ideas! I am definitely the one who leaves the big 50lb bag of dog food laying around unopened. Whoops!! Question... why do you transfer the image onto fabric? Why not just a sticker? I didn't know if that was simply preference or if there is a reason that fabric is better. Just wondering! Thanks!
    www.livingasauceylife.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Tasha,
      A sticker would work just as well! If I had a Silhouette machine you bet I'd be making a label that way too!
      One of the handy things about the fabric label is it's durable and you can carefully peel it off to wash the trash can and then reattach.
      :)

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  3. Ha ha, Monica Gellar couldn't sleep at all if she knew how my pet food storage looked like ;-)

    Love the idea, and I am even more in love with the pink labels =) Thanks for sharing, hopefully my Coca will have a cuter food storage soon.

    PS In our household these "treats" jars would be in danger of being attacked by the humans - maybe a little doggie would be a better icon than the cupcake ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Great idea - some little doggies or bones would work great!

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  4. I love washi tape! I use it for important dates in my planner :)

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  5. What can't you do with washi tape?! love that idea for food storage!

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  6. Love it. You had me at Monica Gellar.

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  7. Regarding the washi tape labels:

    I use plain, old masking tape to label my freezer containers. I've begun turning one end of the tape under as I apply it to the lid. That give me a little "tab" to pull to easily remove the tape when the container is ready for the dishwaher.

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    Replies
    1. Dorothy! I love that idea. Totally going to start doing that now too :)

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  8. Love the mini trash can idea! I've been meaning to get something better to store our fur-baby's food. Ballard sells something similar in a few different sizes but this would be much a much cheaper solution!

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    Replies
    1. Thankyou! Yes the trash can option is much more budget friendly :)

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  9. I love this idea! I have 2 cats and their food just sits on top of our fridge.

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  10. that is adorable you can even make the dog food look pretty! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Gigi! It's my aim in life to make all pet related things pretty!

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  11. great ideas--especially for the treats. we try not to give our pup G too many treats on a regular basis, so they last a long while---but this is such a great idea for keeping the amount you have in sight while keeping them fresh. most importantly, that is the sweetest mixer i have ever seen...

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    1. Absolutely! The mixer is a Kenwood Patissier - http://www.kenwoodworld.com/en-AU/Products/Kitchen-Machines/Patissier/KM270B-Patissier-Food-Mixer-0WKM273005/
      xx

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  12. Very cute! We always buy the 40lb bags because we have two dogs, but the smaller trash can is a good way to hide our rice bag!

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    Replies
    1. You bet! And yes, a bigger trash can would be needed for multi pet households :)

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  13. We use an old popcorn tin for storing our cat's kibble. It's decorative in it's own right, and airtight (very important!)

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  14. Does this sound strange, but you actually make the pet food look, dare I say, appetizing! Pink labels, galvanized silver, and clear storage? I totally love it!

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  15. Unfortunately we have 2 dogs @ 50 lbs+ each so this counter top solution doesn't quite work for us. We have a big trash can in our garage where we keep their food so that no critters can get into it. I do keep their treats in my pantry in a small trash can with the step-on, pop-up lid. Makes getting to treats almost hands free and since I found it in the bathroom decorating aisle it's quite stylish.

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  16. No pets here - but I could see myself applying some of these idea's to our own food. The cereals, for instance. And indeed: brown rice.

    Very nice to see the combination of several pink items in the picture of exactly the same shade!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks El - yes it would totally work for non pet items...and yes - I'm a pink fan!

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  17. Adorable! We keep our treats out right beside the front door for easy access. I put them in a glass jar so that it's less of an eye sore, but I've wanted to add an extra something to make it cuter. A label is perfect! Obvious to any IHeart follower I suppose, but so cute.

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  18. I may need to get a pet just so I can use some of these ideas! So adorable. Also I am madly in love with your pink mixer--CUTE! Thanks so much for sharing!

    ~Abby =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Abby - the mixer is a Kenwood Patissier - http://www.kenwoodworld.com/en-AU/Products/Kitchen-Machines/Patissier/KM270B-Patissier-Food-Mixer-0WKM273005/
      xx

      Delete
  19. I love the glass jars!!! I use similar ones for our own food, pasta, teas, rise... We have two cats and we use a bigger container in our basement for there food. Would love if you would check out my walk in closet makeover. I am a new blogger and would love to have you also on my blog.
    http://claudiapersi.blogspot.ca/

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  20. I have a slightly unrelated question. Does anyone know where you actually go and buy washi tape? Or have you simply purchased it online?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Katie!

      I purchase decorative Washi tape from various local stores and online from Etsy. Here is one of my favorite Etsy shops for the tape: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwineAndTape

      xo!
      Jen

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  21. Michaels had a ton. Target has a few rolls in the office supply section.

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  22. I always walk away from here wanting to run off and label everything! Love the super-cute pet food storage ideas!

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  23. You have the best ideas!! I sure do LOVE an organized pantry. Adorable print outs! xo

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  24. Jenn, I totally agree! My house is always a mess, this blog puts me in such perspective every time I see it. Thanks for the post, you have beautiful labels!

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  25. Where did you purchase the mini trash can?

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    1. I am not sure where Serena found hers, but I have seen them at local home improvement stores and also some great options at IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90218924/

      xo!
      Jen

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    2. Hi there! Sorry for the delay. You can get similar trash cans at your local hardware stores in various sizes, or IKEA like Jen mentioned above.
      The one I used was the 'Oscar Bin' from Freedom Furniture: http://www.freedom.com.au/homewares/kitchenware/cleaning/23179714/oscar-bin-with-lid-10-litre-silver/
      x

      Delete
  26. I, too, am in love with your pink mixer. Can you tell me what brand it is? Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jill! It's a Kenwood Patissier and you can find more info here: http://www.kenwoodworld.com/en-AU/Products/Kitchen-Machines/Patissier/KM270B-Patissier-Food-Mixer-0WKM273005/
      xx

      Delete
  27. I really really like this idea and I'm hoping u could give me different options as to where to buy the trash cans.... Thank you... It would be super helpful... If have a brand new four month old puppy and I am still coming up with systems... Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. I am not sure where Serena found hers, but I have seen them at local home improvement stores and also some great options at IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90218924/

      xo!
      Jen

      Delete
    2. Hi there!
      I would try your local hardware stores for different sizes and then IKEA as Jen mentioned above. Also horse and livestock stores can often carry the larger versions.
      I got mine from Freedom Furniture - it's called the 'Oscar Bin' http://www.freedom.com.au/homewares/kitchenware/cleaning/23179714/oscar-bin-with-lid-10-litre-silver/
      You can also find various sizes at LOWES: http://www.lowes.com/Cleaning-Organization/Cleaning/Trash-Cans/_/N-1z0zaj7/pl
      Hope this helps!
      x

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  28. I love this idea and style. Simply chic and cute! Love it. Thank you for sharing this. I noticed that you only have labels for "dog food". Would you be able to create a label for cat food? That would be much appreciated!

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  29. I have two kitties, do we get any free pintables for them?
    Everything looks so pretty!

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