How to Keep Plastic Buckets From Sticking

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Things You'll Need

  • Newspapers or cardboard

  • Craft sticks or paint stir sticks

Buckets are handy to keep around, but if you get a lot of them, they must be stacked to get them out of the way. The problem is, when you stack too many of them together they stick and are next to impossible to pull apart. This is because they are made so uniformly that when fitted together they create a vacuum, which holds them tightly. To break the seal, you must release the vacuum. Better yet, there are preventive measures you can take to help keep plastic buckets from sticking in the first place.

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Step 1

Put something about 2 inches tall in the bottom of the first bucket to raise the next bucket just high enough that it can not create a seal with the first bucket. Almost anything will do—a tennis ball, empty can or small box—whatever is handy and will not be compressed by the weight of several buckets sitting on top of it.

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Step 2

Continue adding something to the bottom of each bucket as you make your stacks.

Step 3

Wrap a piece of newspaper or thin cardboard as a sleeve between buckets as an alternative way to prevent sticking.

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Step 4

Wrap and stack each subsequent bucket the same way until all are stacked.

Step 5

Tape a wooden craft stick on the inside of each bucket; stack as normal.

Tip

This method works as well with any items that stick when stacked—including bowls and plastic cups. Remember that breaking the vacuum is the goal.

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