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I was in need of storage bags for some old toys, clothes, etc. and I stumbled upon these bags at Target - Ziploc® Big Bags.

The advertising on the box stated that they “are the biggest, strongest, most versatile Ziploc® Brand bags ever created. Use them to store clothing, bedding, holiday decorations, sports equipment, and more. No more clutter in the garage, the basement, or your car. Plus, Ziploc® Big Bags have the natural, flexible shape of a bag so they can fit into places where storage boxes can’t”.

Ok so I thought that I would give them a try. I know what you might be thinking, these remind you of the vaccum sealed bags, these are very different. First off they are huge and very durable. I was amazed at the amount of toys, clothing and stuffed animals that I was able to get in them.

I even bought an extra box and placed it in my hurricane kit, they do not advertise that they are water proof, but I am sure that they are water resistant. I’m thinking that they would be perfect for the photo albums, frames, etc. that you need to take down off the wall and protect.

Get em: Target for $4.99 (box of 4 bags).

I’ve used Rubbermaid for years, but after a while they turned dingy and/or stained; It was time to toss them. A Bed, Bath & Beyond flyer extolled the virtues of Snapware and my interest was peaked. Armed with my 20-percent-off coupon, I picked up an 18-piece set, sold by the box lingo with words like watertight and airtight. Rarely does the box tell the whole truth; there’s usually a fib in there somewhere, but my fellow organizer junkies, Snapware does not tell a lie.

The crystal clear containers make it easy to tell what food is inside. They stack and store easy, you can even nest them. Easy to open, easy to close; You can put them in the dishwasher, the microwave (lift the latches to vent), the freezer and the fridge. They’re so nice you can even take them filled with your cheddar-carrot balls to an afternoon tea party. And did I mention they’re airtight, watertight, stainproof and shatterproof? It’s true. I slammed one against my countertop a couple times; filled another partly with water and shook it like a paint shaker; and I filled one with coffee grounds to see if I could smell it after it was closed - I couldn’t.

Snapware came so close to that coveted five stars, but even with all the sizes and types (Snap ‘N Lock, Snap ‘N Serve, Snap ‘N Stack, and airtight canisters, etc.), there are still a few sizes they’re missing. I’ve been supplementing needed sizes with another brand, Lock & Lock, sold at Target and Organize.com, the makes the same claims. They’re cheaper, but I’ve read reviews from consumers who said their food went stale, and they also don’t have the crystal clear containers that Snapware’s Snap ‘N Serve provides. Snapware costs a little more, but with a lifetime guarantee, that can be overlooked. (Btw, they also offer household, craft, pet and seasonal storage.)

Get it: $3.88 - $28.36 (includes boxed sets). Can be found at Snapwareusa.com, Bed Bath and Beyond and other retailers.