Easily DIY Food Storage Containers That Are Truly Airtight

Airtight containers are great tools to preserve dry foods and keep bugs out, but they have some downsides. They need to be washed and dried carefully to prevent mold, and the process of transferring food from store-bought containers into airtight ones can be messy. While they can help organize your pantry, these containers also take up a lot of space in storage and while being used. Not to mention, trying to choose the correct size and find the matching lid is frustrating. The good news is that there is an easy hack that solves these problems and only requires a couple of items you likely already have in your home.

All you need is the bagged food item that you want to seal, an empty plastic water bottle, and a pair of scissors. Carefully cut through the water bottle just above the label to remove the top section. Remove the bottle cap and feed the opening of your bagged food item through the cut end of the bottle top and out of the mouthpiece. Then, fold the bag over the outer edges of the mouthpiece — you should have access to the food through the opening of the bottle top. Finally, screw the bottle cap back onto its base, securing the folded bag edges between the cap and where it screws onto the bottleneck.

Water and soda bottles are usually made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) and are considered acceptably airtight. Once you start cutting up the plastic, though, you will have to test your container on your own. Try leaving room for air in the bag, sealing it, and then gently squeezing to see if the air escapes.

Keep in mind, though, that even if it is airtight, this DIY container is not as protective as a thicker plastic container. Some bugs and animals can bore through plastic bags, so you may need to find ways to deter pantry pests to protect your food. If you do not fully trust your DIY, you can place your DIY airtight package in another glass or plastic container for an extra barrier.

Overall, this hack is a great way to repurpose your plastic water bottles. It also creates a nice funnel to easily pour out small foods like rice. The success of this DIY may vary based on the size and quality of the water bottle and bag you use. A water bottle made of thicker plastic, especially near the cap (think Gatorade), can more easily secure a plastic bag. However, if your bag is made of thick plastic or has a larger opening, you'll have more plastic that needs to be squeezed between the threads and the cap, which can make it more difficult to seal. Conversely, if the plastic bag is too thin, it may become damaged when screwing on your cap, so ensuring that it's airtight before storing is essential.