With all the talk I’ve been hearing lately about how plastics are so bad for us, I made the decision to stop heating up leftovers in my plastic ware. I’ll admit, I’ve done it plenty of times in the past. But, it can’t be good for us, can it? My mom and I were talking about this before Christmas and she had made the decision to get herself a set of glass storage pieces with lids and she got me a set too. I was thrilled! 
Red lids to match my kitchen too. Now I’m all set for my storage needs and can put the leftovers directly in these cute little containers, complete with their own lid and warm up in the microwave without the fear of plastic poison. I don’t want to eat plastic! 
My storage cabinet went from this jumbled mess….
To this. Neat and somewhat tidy. I’ve gotten rid of all the mismatched pieces, but still held onto some of my old Rubbermaid and Tupperware plastic pieces with the tomato sauce stains. I need those for soups and pasta sauce storage. Tell me you have stained plastic too. What is it about tomatoes that does that? Maybe the acid?
Anyway, I won’t be heating up in my plastic anymore, now that I have these cute glass pieces. And my cupboard looks a lot better too.
Have you switched to glass yet?
I’m sure you are all watching the news of the Haiti earthquake disaster, which is just horrendous. Just wanted to take a moment to urge you all to give during this time. I’m going to give to Compassion International, since I support them, but here’s a post from Money Saving Mom about several agencies that you can donate money to. Let’s ALL help!
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yardsales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? 
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
I have not used plastic in years. I just don’t like it. I think it makes the food taste funny…and it’s really ugly.
I have the same funky old bowls. The ones with the handles. I was surprised to see them in your cupboards. They make excellent storage containers. I put a little saucer plate on top of them. that works great for stacking things in the fridge also.
Wow! I never gave it much thought about reheating leftovers in plastic. I don’t reuse the plastic drinking bottles but never thought about reheating plastic. Thankfully, I only store my leftovers for us at home in Pyrex that I’ve had forEVER! I do, however, use plastic for hubby’s lunch…everyday! I guess I need to make a change! Thanks!
On a side note, if you put your tomato stained Tupperware outside in the hot sun and the stains will vanish. This is good for fabric too. I had a blanket where a bowl of salsa was dropped on it and it was horrible stained for years but I never threw it out because it was so warm. My Mom was at my house one time and was helping with laundry. She put it outside over a drying rack to dry and NO MORE STAIN! Moms are so smart, aren’t they?
I am switching to glass also, and I used to save my tomato-stained plastic too, until I realized that the sauce won’t stain glass so what was I saving them for? Especially since your tops are red, I think you’d be safe getting rid of the plastic.
I never really thought about the risk from heating food in plastic containers. They do become stained and scratched and out of control very quickly. Definitely somethingn to consider and make a change over to in 2010. Great post – thank you!
I try not to heat up plastic anymore, either. I’m not perfect with it – but, I usually transfer to a plate before microwaving. Your containers look like the perfect solution! I am finding that I use my plastic bowls less and less, and am liking glass bowls all the more. Of course I have red stained tupperware! If I can stand to do it – I can get those stains off with a drop of bleach in the dishwater. It works like a charm, but wreaks havok on my hands. I need to look into some bowls like you’ve got.
Have a great weekend!
Pam
Good Morning Rhoda! I have to say that when we moved two years ago I sold all of my Tupperware at our yard sale for $3! I wanted it gone! The only thing I have left is my colander and a few pitchers. I stopped heating stuff in plastic years before that after I had read in article in the paper about kids going through puberty early and they think ONE of the causes could be our use of plastic! I was pregnant with my son at the time so I decided right then and there I was gonna make some changes! I have seen a lot of really nice glass storage pieces at TJ Maxx lately. The glass doesn’t cost much more than buying plastic! Good for you on making the switch!
I made the switch several years ago and haven’t looked back. I also use an aluminum water bottle which, while it has its own evils, is still better than plastic. I would love to be able to afford milk in glass bottles, but that’s not happening….
I keep wanting to switch from plastic, my hubby wants us to get the glass bowls too but I wasn’t sure about the plastic lids. I’m assuming it’s ok to use them to reheat food if you just lay it on top to stop any splatters… it isn’t touching the food is it, so it should be ok? You’ve inspired me to start getting some
Good morning Rhoda
I threw out almost all my plastic ware awhile ago, except for the kid’s sandwich holders. I store everything in Pyrex now and haven’t looked back. No more random lids
I think I read somewhere that you can spray the plastic bowls with Pam and it prevents staining, but don’t take my word on it.
xoxo,
rue
Oh I love your new glass containers with the red lids! So pretty as well as much healthier, Your organized cabinets r coax me on to keep getting more orderly. I love freshly organized cabinets! Isn’t it nice you can take pictures of your work and share. Have a great weekend! Miss Bloomers
I haven’t switched yet, but I know I need to! Love your set with the red lids.
Good for you. My sister-in-law had breast cancer 15 years ago, and the first thing they are told in their mtgs is not to heat food in plastic containers. It’s pretty stable cold, but not hot.
I, like you, keep some for storage … big ones in glass are just too heavy! … but don’t heat in them any more.
My husband was shopping in Lowe’s for work-related stuff–he’s a truck driver/maintenance man where he works. Anyway, Lowe’s was selling Pyrex sets very inexpensively. Now, I have a set of mixing bowls with colorful lids as well as a set of smaller bowls for leftovers. I had lost most of our plastic lids and bowls and containers anyway, so this was a pleasant surprise. Now, I have neatness and glass! I am a happy camper.
I switched to glass ages ago. I hate plastic and keep some on hand for freezing, but won’t reheat. I think it gives food a funky taste.
I love your red containers! They are great!
Have a great weekend!
I just found Open Sky! Way to go Rhoda. You have beautiful stuff. I want to save up for a cast iron skillet. Congratulations and I wish you all the success in the world!
I have been looking to do this for a few months; just need to do it….where did she get the set?
Suzanne
Though I do still sometimes store things in plastic, I try to be diligent about not heating things in plastic. A tip my sister-in-law gave me that I thought was so clever, not to mention free and “green,” is to reuse all the jars so many things come in (like sauces and dressings) as storage containers.
I have, I have!!
I did keep a few plastic containers for traveling, etc…but I only store and reheat our food in glass. It looks so much nicer too!
I switched to glass a few years ago, too. Before that I was the rubbermaid queen. I also used waxed paper bags for sandwiches. Another place you can get these in all different sizes is Garden Ridge. I’m always in need of the larger bowls.
I love using glass. It seems so much cleaner!
I have been wondering about plastic lately, I haven’t had a microwave for the last year and a half, but have one now. I did happen to see those glass containers just yesterday in a sale flyer. Maybe I will go ahead and get them. Thanks for the nudge, Cindy S.
We still have the plastic, but not heating it does make sense. I might need to invest in one or two pieces for that purpose, but I don’t have much more storage space left. :s Your *new* cabinet looks great.
I haven’t, but I think I might just do that, or at least use the glass I have to reheat things up. We save the soup containers from when we get Chinese food for sauce storage. This way if it stains I can just get rid of it. If I soak the plastic right away in dishwashing liquid and hot water it usually gets most of the stain off and then I throw them in the dishwasher.
I never heat things up in plastic and I’m trying to transition from plastic to glass. I picked up a neat little container at TJ Maxx called the GlassLock Handy. It is a glass container with a plastic lid with a handle on top. It is perfect for bringing lunch leftovers to work. I don’t have to worry about chemicals leeching into my food and I don’t have to waste a paper plate either.
I switched to glass a few years ago. I’m so glad I did. They stack so well in the fridge, you can see what’s in them and they are so much better for your health…no BPA leaching into your food.
Good for you!
We have been slowly making the switch with vintage lidded glass dishes. I didn’t know anyone but Ikea (well anyone in MY price range) made glass fridge storage containers anymore. We just went to the Ikea and I couldn’t even find theirs the other day. I’ll have to look out for the Anchor set!
When I saw your bowls with the handle on the top shelf it reminded me we had some of those when I was growing up! I had totally forgotten about them and all of a sudden the memory came rushing back, weird how that happens!
I’ve been thinking of going to glass for storage as well. I try to be diligent on letting food cool before putting it in plastic, but it’s not always an option. I never reheat in plastic now though, always transfer it to the plate or a glass bowl first. I use red in my kitchen as well and have looked at that very set several times!
I switched to glass before it was the ‘popular’ thing to do, because I found I just don’t like plastic, period.
Someone asked about re-heating: you shouldn’t use the plastic lids or plastic wrap, so instead I put a salad plate or saucer on top of my container to keep the splatter down (or a paper towel).
Thanks for the daily inspiration!
I’m about half and half with glass and plastic. I just like glass better, but plastic is more lightweight and travels to and from the office better. (I heat my food in microwave on a paper plate, with another inverted over the top to contain splatters. I guess that’s not too eco-friendly though, since I throw away the paper plates….) Yes, I have sauce-stained plastic. What to do, what to do?….
Love your red lids — I have lots of red in my kitchen too. Love red for the kitchen! So cheery and rich!
WendyBee
Hi Rhoda,
I’m still using plastic but mainly just for storage. I’m very conscious of the harmful effects plastic has when it’s heated. Right now I transfer the food to a glass bowl before reheating. The same goes for covering your food with plastic wrap when reheating the food so I always cover with a paper towel. I am slowing changing to glass storage though. I read once that if you spray your plastic container with a cooking spray before adding the food that this helps to eliminate the staining. On the rare occasion when I do reheat in plastic I have noticed that spraying it beforehand does help. TFS! Sheila
It’s not a good idea to put any plastic lids in the microwave either, they can definitely curl & melt in the heat. I have been using waxed paper over my food to keep it from splattering. It works great, even better than a paper towel, since it doesn’t stick to everything.
One of my pet peeves: Nothing worse than a splattered microwave that reminds me of being at an office. I can’t tell you how many offices I’ve worked at with dirty microwaves. No one wants to take responsibility for those messy splatters! Cover that food!
Good for you! Yep, I made the switch too. Really like the glass alot better. Still have a few plastics tho…what is it about not getting rid of them?? Love your new set!
*hugs*deb
I haven’t switched to glass yet, but I try to transfer everything to a plate before popping it in the microwave. I also started covering the plate with a paper towel instead of plastic wrap. Oh the things we have to worry about in our industrialized world to try and stay healthy
. I’m not ready to give up plastic in a house of boys!
Have not used plastic in years Rhoda…..glad to hear you switched…
Another thing I have not used in years is salt….we use sea salt instead….just thought I’d throw that out !!!
I have given to the American Red Cross… and sent out many, many prayers !!! God Bless them all !!!!
Kathy
I need to invest in some glass storage ware, that’s for sure. I am so sick of my plastic storage ware falling all over my lazy susan.
I count myself among all of you who’ve made the switch to glass. Also, if you occasionally buy packaged-in-plastic frozen food- you may want to transfer them to a plate before heating, too.
I have those domed *plastic* microwave splatter thingies. They work great and keep your microwave spotless. They don’t come in contact with the food BUT now I’m thinking….. probably not such a good idea, either!
Thanks! Great post!
glass is so much better!
re: tomato stains, the newest rubbermaid doesn’t have those stains. we just got married in july so we got a set for the wedding. during the holidays some tomato sauce got shoved to the very back of the fridge, and i’m sure it was back there for a long time but who knows how long! anyway, it wasn’t stained. i put salsa in small containers in my husband’s lunch, never stained. i store mexican food leftovers (that i know we’ll heat on plates) and it has never stained. it’s another marvel of modern science!
love your blog! check me out at newmandesigns.etsy.com
Yes, I have been using more glass for quite a while. I use plastic (Tupperware) only for things that won’t be heated up in them. I was married in 1972, in the Corning ware time, so I have lots of Corning containers. I need to purge my Tupperware & recycled plastic containers. With my physical abilities lessening with arthritis, the back of lower cabinets become black holes for Tupperware! I need slide out shelves, etc!
Glass is so much better but I can’t part with my tupperware that is abut 35 years old and all stained. Once a year I take out a box of Arm and Hammer and clean it all up to get most of the stains off. Infact I just ordered cereal bowls with lids this summer on QVC (yes I have been known to watch that show at 3AM when I can’t sleep). I find the cereal bowls are the best for stacking leftovers in my fridge. My closets always like a plastic nightmare no matter how many times I organize them and the babies like to play in the cabinet so I blame them for the mess:)
Joyce
A few years ago I bought a set of glass storarge containers. My real purpose in buying them, was not for the glass in particular, but they were all square or regtangular shapes, so much easier to store and stack. Round containers leave too unused space around them. Yours are verry pretty and they all match. What a delight when you open your cabinets now. Enjoy your weekend.
I do freeze in plastic containers, but I am trying to only reheat in glass. It is hard to break old habits. Love your new containers. Love & blessings from NC!
How did you get pictures of my cabinets with all those plastic bowls and lids falling over?
There are plastic containers that specially state on wrapper that it remains free of tomato stains. I have purchased three of these containers and used them and they work. I try to use paper plates and paper towels when microwaving – mainly because some plastic can “melt” in the microwave. Your new glass set with the red lids is very pretty.
Teacup Lane (Sandy)
I quit heating in plastic some time ago, though I still use plastic for storage. I’ll pick up more glass as the budget allows. BTW, styrofoam is also one of those heating no-noes, &, like plastic, molecules of it will travel into your food if you do heat food in or on it.
Hi Rhoda, I store in plastic but always heat in glass, Hubby use to work in chemicals and plastic so he is Mr. Safety man on that count. Your little red topped containers look so cute in your cupboard. I acutally have a couple of old glass top and bottom containers like they use to have in the good ol” days. Kathysue
I use as little plastic as possible. I think you will LOVE using glass now!
HI Rhoda! Thanks so much for the reminder! I do like to store leftovers in plastic: I have one of those carousel things and love it cause all the containers are in one spot. But I will go get a set of Pyrex to reheat things in, you have convinced me. I have a plastic dome like thing that I bought , it is made to be a cover for reheating things in the micro. I wonder if it is safe????? Maybe I will just switch to waxed paper like you. I love your new set with the pretty red lids! GREAT gift! Love your blog, always great posts!!!! XO, Pinky
Rhoda,
I quit using plastic as well for heating things up a while ago. A hint for even more organized plastic….get a brown paper sack and cut it down to about 5-6 inches tall, then stand all of the lids to the plastic containers in the bag. Stack all of your plastic ware one inside the other as they fit best and slide the sack with the lids in the cupboard to one side! You could do the same with the lids to your new glassware or put them with the plastic ware lids.
You know I am an organizer too right?
Have a good weekend!
xx
Hey Rhoda. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never thought about plastic poison. Duh, where have I been? The glass looks so much nicer and so do the cabinets.
But here’s a hint if you are going to continue with the nasty bad plastic. Spray the inside with a cooking spray before putting food (including spaghetti sauce) in them. When you heat them in the microwave you shouldn’t have anymore staining.
Hugs….Tracy
Great post. I have heard the stories about plastics in the microwave but hadn’t thought about switching to glass. Great idea!
I am so glad you did this post. I love using glass. Only bad thing was when I sent food in glass with my hubby to work….some times the glass dish didn’t make it home UGH.
Yes, we have switched a year ago and got used to the glass containers. We take lunches to work, so we use glass for warm lunches and plastic containers for salads. The best thing about glass is that it washes better and doesn’t stain like plastic. And it’s much healthier. Thanks for the article.
I’ve thought about buying some glass storage containers, too. Your new ones would match my kitchen! Very pretty! And yes, I have stained Tupperware pieces, too. Storing leftover chili and vegetable soup are usually the causes for the stains in mine. I have a couple of pieces that are probably 15-20 years old but they are so reliable and exactly the right size most of the time, I can’t get rid of them. The line “old dog and new tricks” somehow come to mind right now
I love my Pyrex glass containers, but have the same problem as Wanda P so hubby gets to take the plastic ones to work. Hint: Lightly spraying plastic containers with a non-stick spray(like Pam) before adding those tomato-based sauces will keep it from staining.
Thanks for dropping by my blog Rhoda! I was already following yours *blush* I have these same glass storage containers for when I know I’ll need to warm up food in the container, like at work. My other set are these (also nice red lids), I love how neat and tidy they always stay: http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091258&CatName=FoodStorage
They’re BPA free, so if I really have to warm something up in them, it’s not so bad.
I switched to plastic too – its so much better and heats evenly. Putting red stained plasticware in sunlight bleaches the red right out
Good for you Rhoda!! I hear just storing your food in plastic is bad for you. I need to buy some glass storage containers too. Thanks for the reminder!
I do use glass almost every time I reheat something! My mom got me started a year or so ago – but no cute glass with lids so I just use the rubbermaid I have to store it and then transfer it to reheat in the microwave. Oh, and I switched to glass baby bottles also. Feel better about those too. And in almost a year and half, I’ve only broken one.
I need to get myself a set of these too. I hate the idea of heating things up in plastic.
Yep, I have some stained plastic pieces too. I think we all do. LOL
Hugs!
Kat
Rhoda- good work!!! love getting organized and they’re so pretty too!!! congrats on the shop going up- yay!!!!
xoxo,
lauren
Being pretty AND healthy–that is a good thing!
I use both. DH works in the food industry & isn’t allowed to bring glass to work so he has to use plastic. I keep the heavier, hard plastic containers for that. I recycle a lot of plastic for storage in the fridge & in the freezer.
I don’t like to heat plastic in the microwave because some containers lose their shape. I usually take it out of plastic from the fridge & put it in a sturdier hard plastic or glass container.
Hi, I know this is late but I love your blog and just catching up from a week away and saw this post. Have you heard or seen online where Pyrex dishes are blowing up on people for really no reason? I would normally blow this off but it just happened to my sister last month. She luckily was not hurt but would have been if she or her kids had been in the room – it shattered into thousands of pieces. (It was a new pyrex dish, not chipped or “cooked dry”.) Sounds like it happens most frequently when items are cooked in the oven but also at times in the microwave. Something due to the new cheaper glass they use since they have gone through bankruptcy. Augh. I just don’t know what to use now! I wonder if Anchor Hocking uses that same type of glass??
I love the idea of using glass. And I have made the switch to not using plastic in the microwave. I just need to buckle down and make the other change the one thing I just can’t seem to give up is my favorite plastic travel mug.
I have made a switch to a totally plastic free clothes drying rack and I have been making other changes to remove plastics from other parts of my life.
If you have a chance you should watch the documentary “Blue Vinyl” it is entertaining and eye opening.
Keep on posting. Thanks for your great and informative posting.
Thank you so very much for writing about our glass storage containers! If you ever have any questions let us know! We’ll put a link to your article on our Facebook page today!
Best wishes,
Anchor Hocking Company
(Webteam)
http://www.anchorhocking.com
http://www.anchoronline.com