TikTok's IKEA GODMORGON Pantry Hack May Not Be The Best Idea. Here's Why

Our desire for order, space efficiency, aesthetics, and practicality means we usually have our eyes peeled to the screen for home organization hacks shared on social media, including TikTok. Content creators are continually coming up with inventive ideas to maximize storage efficiency, like a DIY wooden drawer organizer. One such suggestion shared by @smt_designs on TikTok that's gaining popularity involves repurposing bathroom organizers, specifically the 5-star-rated GODMORGON boxes with lids from IKEA, for storing an assortment of dry food ingredients. 

These organizers have a sleek design and convenient size, making them seemingly perfect for use in the pantry or for sliding into kitchen drawers. However, before you rush to implement this space-saving hack, it's crucial to understand the potential pitfalls that come with using these bathroom organizers for storing food ingredients. Why? Because their lids have a hole that is meant to function as a handle.

While these containers may indeed fit seamlessly into your pantry or kitchen drawers, their design poses a significant concern. In the pantry or kitchen, where ingredients like flour, sugar, salt, and spices are regularly stored, the vented covers of these IKEA GODMORGON boxes can become a potential gateway for pests. Additionally, exposure to air through the hole in the lid can lead to ingredients losing their freshness, becoming stale, and even clumping together. Now, let's look deeper into the specifics of why these otherwise useful bathroom organizers may not be the best choice for your kitchen storage needs.

IKEA GODMORGON boxes are made from PET plastic, which is considered food safe; however, their application in the kitchen demands careful consideration. The hole in the covers, designed for easy opening and closing, introduces a vulnerability in the storage system. It inadvertently creates an open invitation for pests like ants, cockroaches, and mice into your pantry or kitchen, posing a serious risk to the safety and integrity of your cooking ingredients. 

Beyond the pest issue, the ventilation compromises the airtight seal crucial for preserving the quality of dry goods like flour, sugar, salt, peas, lentils, sesame seeds, and beans. Exposure to air can lead to spoilage or cross-contamination and clumping or caking, especially for powdered or fine items like sugar, rice, and French sea salt, jeopardizing the overall freshness and usability of your ingredients. Moreover, these vented covers allow moisture to seep in, particularly in humid environments, potentially leading to the formation of mold or mildew that can render the contents unsafe and useless. 

As you strive for an organized kitchen, it's essential to recognize the potential consequences of utilizing these bathroom organizers for food storage. At best, you may use these IKEA GODMORGON storage containers for keeping individually sealed kitchen ingredients or items, like packets of seasoning or spices intended for single use. You may also use them for keeping dry utensils that fit their dimensions perfectly. Otherwise, airtight containers are still your best option for proper food storage.