This weekend I decided it was time to sort out the medicines and the first aid kits.
The medicine box was filled to the rim and after closer inspection I realized a lot had expired. Here in Sweden we can return our unused medicines to the pharmacy which I did during my lunch hour today.
A photo of my kits has been posted on Flickr a long time now but as I needed to redo the green cross which had become soiled I though I'd show you how I put them together. As my boxes (vintage gingerbread tins) are metal I use magnetic sheets to make the crosses. You could do a sticker or just a paper cross glued on too.
I drew a cross onto green paper, glued it onto a magnetic sheet and cut through both along the lines.
After weeding out the expired items it was a nice feeling to put the lid back on.
For the first aid kit I made new dividers out of card stock. It's so simple. Two same size rectangles (the diameter of the box) with cuts halfway down the center.
Put the divider together by slotting one cut into the other.
Place inside box and Tadaaa!!
One section if for eye care, one for surgical tape and bandages, one for band aids and cleaning of minor wounds and one for insect bites etc.
I love these little clean outs. Always feel really good about myself afterward :)
your tins look wonderful. And the dividers are really usefull as I thought last week and this weekend when I sorted so much stuff in boxes. Now it's neatly arranged and looks wonderful. And it gives a feeling of relief: one thing done and it's so neat (and of course: you're able to find what you're searching for...).
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Franziska | February 02, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Great idea.
Congratulations for the article in the Swedish newspaper.
Susie
Posted by: Susie | February 02, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Wow, such a simple idea, the cardboard, and yet so useful. Plus, it can be used for other containers as well....
Thanks again for a useful tip!
Posted by: Petra from the Netherlands | February 02, 2009 at 05:25 PM
I love the industrious-ness of those containers!and your cleanout looks lovely!
I was wondering if you find round storage less efficient than squares or rectangles? I saw some great Frigovere containers over the weekend and I was thinking they would take up more space on the shelf and hold less. Do you find that?
Posted by: Jacqueline | February 02, 2009 at 05:44 PM
What a great little idea. Sadly, this is one area where I am not as prepared as I should be. While I insist on having one in the car, I don't have a properly stocked kit at home. Thanks for this!! I'll be working on one for our house this week!
Posted by: Cindy | February 02, 2009 at 06:00 PM
This is one of my favorite things in your house. I have looked all over for magnets like these! I'm so glad you described how you made them. I love how you write about your editing and cleaning process. I can't wait for a book! I am always referring to your blog for how-tos' inspiration and creative solutions. I am so glad about the newspaper article! Congratulations. Carol
Posted by: carol k | February 02, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Hello Benita,
It's funny but yesterday I bought this boxes in Ikea
http://www.ikea.com/pt/pt/catalog/products/46686200
I going to use them for my first aid kit.
Now I see it's a very good idea, looks great.
Monica from Portugal
Posted by: Monica Duarte | February 02, 2009 at 07:22 PM
As always, Benita, you have impeccable timing. I am soon tackling my linen closet in the bathroom - the closet which houses all my medicine items. I was not sure how to store the medicine and other medical items, but now I do.
You say "it's so simple" but it's because you have a knack for creating just the right solution to an organizing dilemma. What a gift you have!
Posted by: sunny | February 02, 2009 at 07:33 PM
So simple and pleasing :)
Posted by: Not Your Goddess | February 02, 2009 at 07:42 PM
I love your blog. However, I'm sorry if I missed it, but what is the difference between the green cross box and the red cross box?
Posted by: Betsey | February 02, 2009 at 08:16 PM
I can't believe that you made all those ugly things actually look nice in that box.
Posted by: Purple Area | February 02, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Thank you Benita! You give me the motivation to organise things I usually wouldn't think about.
And MONICA, great idea to use the IKEA tin boxes. :)
Posted by: Skye | February 03, 2009 at 12:46 AM
My first aid kits don't look anything like that.
Unfortunately.
Posted by: Caitlin | February 03, 2009 at 05:21 AM
Betsey, red is for first aid and green is for medicins ( pills, cold remedies etc).
Monica, I love the EMU boxes. I use them for all sorts of things!
Jacqueline, round is tricker than square and I would have gotten square ones for the medicins and first aid kits had I not had lots of the round ones around already.
Posted by: Carlos | February 03, 2009 at 05:42 AM
Great idea, so simple, so practical. Thank you!
Posted by: Maaret | February 03, 2009 at 06:02 AM
Snyggt och praktiskt!! Super :)
Posted by: Lilla huset på prärien | February 03, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I never thought I'd fall in love with a medicine/first-aid kit. I have.
Posted by: Katherine | February 03, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I never thought I'd fall in love with a medicine/first-aid kit. I have.
Posted by: Katherine | February 03, 2009 at 12:36 PM
This is totally on my list.
Posted by: Ali Edwards | February 03, 2009 at 01:09 PM
This is such a good idea...I had to do one of these in college for a first aid class I was taking. It came in handy, but now all the supplies have been depleted and it's time to make a new one.
Posted by: Cherry@NewburghRestoration | February 03, 2009 at 01:40 PM
You are my organizing hero. Seriously. I LOVE looking at your blog to get organizing ideas!
Posted by: Tiffanie | February 03, 2009 at 02:42 PM
They look great. Sometimes what I do when I need to compact my drugs/supplies for a small first aid kit, I take a few pills, place them in a small plastic baggie (like the really small ones that you use for craft beads), write the name of the drug and the expiry on it. When I'm done with all of them, I place them in a little plastic container (I use a cough drop container) and in the first aid kit they go. Then all the med containers go in the medicine cabinet. A great way to decrease bulk in your kit.
Posted by: Kerry | February 03, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Love this! Precis vad jag behövde, har grubblat över mina uberhemska röriga överfulla korgar! Tack fru B! Kram, minna :)
Posted by: Minna Mercke Schmidt | February 03, 2009 at 06:14 PM
I just love everything you do. Thank you for getting ME orginized. You are my inspiration and I read your blog every day.
I already have a white with a green cross, but I think I have to change.....
Posted by: Indra | February 03, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Benita you are so smart. That came straight out of my mouth as soon as I saw this!
Posted by: Account Deleted | February 03, 2009 at 07:52 PM
You know what I really love? Your instructions on making a divider. Why has it never before occurred to me I could make my own dividers? Sock drawer, here I come!
Posted by: Patia | February 04, 2009 at 06:10 AM
What a clever idea! Never thought about it! Im looking for weeks now for something to organize my different colored sewing thread and until now i just put them in clear little plastic bags in a tin box. But this is SO much better!! Thanks!
Posted by: madilla | February 04, 2009 at 08:02 AM
I commented on these tins from one of your photos a long time ago. I loved them then and still love them now. Magnet...very clever.
Posted by: jae | February 06, 2009 at 05:40 PM
You are so clever making a divider...I would have never thought of that and just crammed everything in there! I love your blog, you have so many great ideas!
Posted by: Tracey | February 08, 2009 at 02:18 PM
wow, this is a really nice idea!
i also like that you have a lot of chinese ointments and medicines! it's like my mother's medicine cabinet! :D
Posted by: quelle | February 15, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Perhaps this has been previously addressed, but it came to mind, seeing the first aid supplies for Chez Larsson... is there a similar kit for Auto Larsson? If so, I'd love to see what you container you use.
Posted by: Katie K | April 18, 2009 at 03:50 PM
There is no such thing as Auto Larsson :) Bus Larsson and Bike Larsson and even Subway Larsson yes, but Auto no...
To: [email protected]
Posted by: Carlos | April 18, 2009 at 04:42 PM