“It’s Only Taken Me 40 Years”: Woman Is Left Stunned Upon Finding Out How To Close A Cereal Box The Right Way
InterviewYou know how you wake up at 6 in the morning sharp, trying to make sense of this whole universe, only to remember there’s a crisp new Reese’s Puffs box waiting on the kitchen counter? Your day just got a tiny bit better, but it may get ruined in a sec after you find the puffs all stale in a mushy cardboard box. You can never be ready to see such a thing.
So when one woman found the answer to her ugly torn boxes, she had to share it and save everyone from dried-out cereal misery. “It’s only taken me 40 years, but I now know the correct way to close a cereal box,” wrote Becky Holden McGhee on her Facebook. Her step-by-step video of box sealing in action has gone viral with 3 million views. More people joined in to share their own folding techniques for what seems like new, happier cereal breakfasts to come.
Becky from Blackpool, UK couldn’t believe it took her so long to find out there’s a right way to seal a cereal box
Image credits: Becky Holden McGhee
Image credits: Becky Holden McGhee
Image credits: Becky Holden McGhee
Image credits: Becky Holden McGhee
Image credits: Becky Holden McGhee
Bored Panda contacted Becky, the mom of two from Blackpool, UK behind the viral video, who is still overwhelmed with all the stir her box-folding video has created. “It was accidental, I never in a million years thought it would be viewed 3 million times!” Becky said she feels “incredibly lucky, all the comments and feedback has been really kind or funny.”
One of the reasons why the cereal box-sealing hack blew up so fast has to do with how basic it is. Becky told us she couldn’t believe she did not know this, and “the next morning, I thought I’d give it a go with the numerous cereal boxes we have and couldn’t believe how simple it was.” It turns out, the folding “literally takes seconds, looks really neat, and will stop cereal going all soggy.”
And here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it
Becky’s video has now been viewed 3 million times, proving simple tricks can blow up the internet
At first, Becky posted some pictures of the hack online and her friend asked for a video tutorial. “It made me giggle, but my husband and I quickly did and added it to the post!” Sooner than she knew it, people were sharing Becky’s video, commenting, and joining in with their own techniques for a neat cereal box sealing.
Everyone got excited about the hack and others have been doing it for a long time
...just roll the bag down into the box and close the box like normal...or get airtight cereal containers lol. Her solution is no different than closing it the normal way
Exactly. It doesn't matter how you close the box, it's how you close the bag to keep the cereal fresh. The best hack is to take the back out an roll it down and seal it as you eat more.
Load More Replies...I feel for the poor designer that designed cereal boxes. The tabs in the centre of the flaps are designed to hold the top of the box closed. As to keeping the cereal fresh, open the bag carefully and roll the empty part down, or better still put a clip on it. Some people just seem to want to reinvent the wheel - oooh, I wonder if an octogon would be better. (faceplam).
The one she's using has a very clear slit on one side and, I don't know what it's called in English, but that doohickey on the other side fits right in the slit when you close it and voila. No weird nonsense folding techniques necessary.
tab and slot in English. Tab being the part that sticks out, and slot being the slit
Load More Replies...If the boxes are in a cupboard, pantry or larder it does not matter whether they are "visually pleasant" or not, because you only see them when you open the door to take something out.
Load More Replies...Agree with 'bag closing' side. I open the bag on one end, pour cereal out, roll the bag closed and reinsert in box, fold tabs on top of box as per usual. The method shown only serves to reduce the amount of space the box takes up: it does not preserve the cereal's freshness. Plus how many people don't use up the cereal within a week? [unless you're on your own and you buy mega-sized boxes]
Now we just need someone to show us how to open a bag of flour without the bag ripping and spilling flour everywhere when you open it. That bag is such a bad design.
I'd actually like to see how. The paper bag for the flour is always flimsy and gets torn if I just hold it in my hand....but the glue that keeps it closed is super-strong.
Load More Replies...I don't understand, on a post that shows you how to fold a CEREAL BOX, how there are people being judgmental. If you don't like it, move tf on
Because it says that’s the correct way when the correct way is using the provided tab.
Load More Replies...I think it has upset people because she says she's figured out the "correct" way to open the box. Which isn't the case - the "correct" way is to use the neat little tab and slot provided. She's just thought up a different, unnecessarily troublesome and - in my opinion - not as nice looking way to do it.
Load More Replies...I prefer to remove the wax-paper bag, fold all the flaps inside, insert a large zip baggie, then dump the cerael into that and zip it airtight.
I use chip clips or binder clips on the bag inside. Who cares about the box. It won't keep the cereal fresh in a hot humid environment.
This isn't the "right way", it's just another way. Some people don't even use the box. They just take out the bag, use a clip to keep it closed (which should be done regardless), and throw away the box. If anything is the "right way", that is as it minimizes the time and effort involved.
It's just a different way. I just replied to someone earlier that we learned to discard the box and keep the bag of cereal in the freezer to keep in fresh when we'd moved to a high humidity area. It was nice of the person to share the idea with others though...
Load More Replies...When I was 20 or so, I got into bed and, as usual, began rubbing my eye to get rid of a recently-deposited eyelash. But I discovered a simple and effective technique that quickly removed foreign objects from your eye. Overjoyed, I mulled how I would change the world and drifted off to sleep. When I awoke any and all memory of this technique was gone, and remains lost to this day.
I would fold, spindle, and mutilate every cereal box I have before I would go to that much trouble to close one.
I often have several cereal boxes going at the same time, and I roll down the inner bag and take a Bulldog or other clip to seal it securely. My cereal doesn't get soggy, even when the weather is humid.
Stunned? I@m stunned by this article. It's so simple - close the inner bag by rolling or folding it down. Keep it closed with a clip if necessary., then just flip the cardboard lid. That's it - simple. If you've several different ones on the go, they can actually all be stored in the one box, if there's enough room. Then get rid of the empty cardboard bozes - hey presto, you've saved space as well.
No matter how cute the packaging, just like people....at the end of the day, it's what's INSIDE that matters! I figured out a way to fold the inner bag that keeps the air out & keeps the food fresh and crunchy. Chips and cereal go stale in 2 days in a rolled up inner bag because air is rolled up in the bag and comes in through the rolled up ends. It's a hugging-triangle maneuver, lol. Too hard to explain...my friends say I should do a video, maybe I will? It also works with storing produce in bags in frig, wrapped in paper towels or parchment paper (so it stays dry & doesn't go bad) so you can stop throwing produce away! PS Use wooden clothes pins instead of plastic "chip clips" since they are much stronger and not slippery (can get 20 from Dollar Tree $1). Later
I'll stick to my folding the bag and applying a cereal clip technique....breakfast time is too early for origami
I close the inside bag with a spring clothespin. I love her technique of closing the box. Will use it!
me, too! Lots of naysayers on here, nice to see a positive comment. I've used a clothespin to close the inside bag. Also learned yrs. ago to discard the box & keep bag with cereal in the freezer, had moved to a high humidity area so was happy someone shared that idea with me to keep cereal fresher longer. :-)
Load More Replies...I didn't realize "dried up cereal" was a problem. Aren't they dried up to begin with?
If it were meant to be folded there on the sides, why isn't there some sort of perforation or something? Too much work.
As everyone else has noted, just fold or roll the bag down a bit, clip it shut---I use a binder clip because it holds better than a paperclip---and the food inside the bag will stay crisp and good. No need to mess around with silly box folding.
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I always thought those tab and slot thingies were the way to close a cereal box, after you roll the inner bag.
We now roll the bag up and put it in sideways so the back stays shut. I will admit that this folded-box thing looks good though! I just cleaned and painted my pantry so I'm gonna do this just for neatness!!!
I empty the cereal into plastic storage containers. I started that when a mouse chewed through the cereal box. I caught the little bugger but I still use plastic containers just in case.
When I was a kid, there was no bag. There was a box with a toy (also not in a bag) at the bottom, covered by cereal. I wasn't allowed to dig the toy out either. I had to eat the cereal first. Then came the bags with unpackaged toy inside under the cereal. Then they moved the toy, put it in a separate bag under the bag of cereal. Eventually, the toy was just a memory.
It's going to take another 30 years for her to find the slit was there for sealing the box all the time .
Yknow, I know other people are bored too, but writing about CEREAL!? This is insane.
Whaaat??!! So that little flap that goes in the slit, what is it for?!
It's the stupid "you've been using a can opener wrong" thing again. This isn't an easier way to close a cereal box and this doesn't solve any problem. And it's certainly not the "right way".
Wanna know what is better and keeps the cereal totally FRESH? Plastic containers with airtight lids. Pretty simple, cheap and works better than allowing cereal to be in cardboard, which is vulnerable to varmints (rats/mice) and moisture. Get a grip people, this is not all that brilliant of a way to fold a cardboard box. You can also do the same to chip bags. Do any of you know how to fold a plastic grocery bag into a small ball and tie it shut, saving hundreds into a small container? Try it, you will be amazed at how you can save plastic bags and not toss them into the trash.
I like it. I know there’s a tab closing but mine never seem to work. They pop themselves out. Thanks for the idea
Give this woman a Nobel Prize. She did more to earn it than most other recipients, including president Obama.
I just tried this it works i always end up tearing the box when i open it now thts good way
I transfer cereals and all similar dried goods into plastic air-tight plastic boxes. They keep the products fresh and dry, pack much neate,r and can be stacked - thus saving cupboard space.
This method doesn’t help if the bag is left open (like in this video). No wonder her cereal is stale.
I often have several cereal boxes going at the same time, and I roll down the inner bag to close it and take a Bulldog or other clip to seal the bag securely. My cereal doesn't get soggy, even when the weather is humid.
omg that is such a great idea i will defenitly try that next time i get cereal (well... that is if i remember IMG_202004...2cac45.jpg
omg that is such a cool idea next time i get cereal i will try that (if i remember) IMG_202004...11c1d2.jpg
Woohoo. It's the best and easiest way and it's taken many more years than you😄😄 thanks.
As someone who eats cereal every day, I'm here to say that I love this approach. Many cereal boxes have weak cardboard and super strong glue, leaving the box lids with the tab and slit easy to tear when initially opening. Furthermore, the tab doesn't always stay in the slot and the lid will pop back open or never close. This way of folding ensures that the box will stay closed and it saves on space if you have a full pantry. With this design, you could alternate and flip your boxes to wedge between each other in a sort of zig zag pattern.
So she invented her own method that takes longer and crushes your cereal unless 30% has been eaten. It's like pooping in a bowl and then emptying it into a toilet and then saying 'I figured this out!'
It's cleaner and better looking but air is still going in so that won't change anything to the cereal's taste.
I will try this, it looks like it can work just fine and it does look very neat.
And then the entire box tears apart the first time you try to re-open it. Pass. I'll just continue neatly folding the BAG and using the built-in locking tab that does a great job.
What's wrong with using the existing tab and slit? It may not be as eye pleasing but it works. At 6 in the morning I'm in no mood to practice origami on a cereal box.
Am I the only one who binder clips the bag, and puts the box in the trash?
...just roll the bag down into the box and close the box like normal...or get airtight cereal containers lol. Her solution is no different than closing it the normal way
Exactly. It doesn't matter how you close the box, it's how you close the bag to keep the cereal fresh. The best hack is to take the back out an roll it down and seal it as you eat more.
Load More Replies...I feel for the poor designer that designed cereal boxes. The tabs in the centre of the flaps are designed to hold the top of the box closed. As to keeping the cereal fresh, open the bag carefully and roll the empty part down, or better still put a clip on it. Some people just seem to want to reinvent the wheel - oooh, I wonder if an octogon would be better. (faceplam).
The one she's using has a very clear slit on one side and, I don't know what it's called in English, but that doohickey on the other side fits right in the slit when you close it and voila. No weird nonsense folding techniques necessary.
tab and slot in English. Tab being the part that sticks out, and slot being the slit
Load More Replies...If the boxes are in a cupboard, pantry or larder it does not matter whether they are "visually pleasant" or not, because you only see them when you open the door to take something out.
Load More Replies...Agree with 'bag closing' side. I open the bag on one end, pour cereal out, roll the bag closed and reinsert in box, fold tabs on top of box as per usual. The method shown only serves to reduce the amount of space the box takes up: it does not preserve the cereal's freshness. Plus how many people don't use up the cereal within a week? [unless you're on your own and you buy mega-sized boxes]
Now we just need someone to show us how to open a bag of flour without the bag ripping and spilling flour everywhere when you open it. That bag is such a bad design.
I'd actually like to see how. The paper bag for the flour is always flimsy and gets torn if I just hold it in my hand....but the glue that keeps it closed is super-strong.
Load More Replies...I don't understand, on a post that shows you how to fold a CEREAL BOX, how there are people being judgmental. If you don't like it, move tf on
Because it says that’s the correct way when the correct way is using the provided tab.
Load More Replies...I think it has upset people because she says she's figured out the "correct" way to open the box. Which isn't the case - the "correct" way is to use the neat little tab and slot provided. She's just thought up a different, unnecessarily troublesome and - in my opinion - not as nice looking way to do it.
Load More Replies...I prefer to remove the wax-paper bag, fold all the flaps inside, insert a large zip baggie, then dump the cerael into that and zip it airtight.
I use chip clips or binder clips on the bag inside. Who cares about the box. It won't keep the cereal fresh in a hot humid environment.
This isn't the "right way", it's just another way. Some people don't even use the box. They just take out the bag, use a clip to keep it closed (which should be done regardless), and throw away the box. If anything is the "right way", that is as it minimizes the time and effort involved.
It's just a different way. I just replied to someone earlier that we learned to discard the box and keep the bag of cereal in the freezer to keep in fresh when we'd moved to a high humidity area. It was nice of the person to share the idea with others though...
Load More Replies...When I was 20 or so, I got into bed and, as usual, began rubbing my eye to get rid of a recently-deposited eyelash. But I discovered a simple and effective technique that quickly removed foreign objects from your eye. Overjoyed, I mulled how I would change the world and drifted off to sleep. When I awoke any and all memory of this technique was gone, and remains lost to this day.
I would fold, spindle, and mutilate every cereal box I have before I would go to that much trouble to close one.
I often have several cereal boxes going at the same time, and I roll down the inner bag and take a Bulldog or other clip to seal it securely. My cereal doesn't get soggy, even when the weather is humid.
Stunned? I@m stunned by this article. It's so simple - close the inner bag by rolling or folding it down. Keep it closed with a clip if necessary., then just flip the cardboard lid. That's it - simple. If you've several different ones on the go, they can actually all be stored in the one box, if there's enough room. Then get rid of the empty cardboard bozes - hey presto, you've saved space as well.
No matter how cute the packaging, just like people....at the end of the day, it's what's INSIDE that matters! I figured out a way to fold the inner bag that keeps the air out & keeps the food fresh and crunchy. Chips and cereal go stale in 2 days in a rolled up inner bag because air is rolled up in the bag and comes in through the rolled up ends. It's a hugging-triangle maneuver, lol. Too hard to explain...my friends say I should do a video, maybe I will? It also works with storing produce in bags in frig, wrapped in paper towels or parchment paper (so it stays dry & doesn't go bad) so you can stop throwing produce away! PS Use wooden clothes pins instead of plastic "chip clips" since they are much stronger and not slippery (can get 20 from Dollar Tree $1). Later
I'll stick to my folding the bag and applying a cereal clip technique....breakfast time is too early for origami
I close the inside bag with a spring clothespin. I love her technique of closing the box. Will use it!
me, too! Lots of naysayers on here, nice to see a positive comment. I've used a clothespin to close the inside bag. Also learned yrs. ago to discard the box & keep bag with cereal in the freezer, had moved to a high humidity area so was happy someone shared that idea with me to keep cereal fresher longer. :-)
Load More Replies...I didn't realize "dried up cereal" was a problem. Aren't they dried up to begin with?
If it were meant to be folded there on the sides, why isn't there some sort of perforation or something? Too much work.
As everyone else has noted, just fold or roll the bag down a bit, clip it shut---I use a binder clip because it holds better than a paperclip---and the food inside the bag will stay crisp and good. No need to mess around with silly box folding.
If you ever want to change or up your university grades contact cybergolden hacker he'll get it done and show a proof of work done before payment. He's efficient, reliable and affordable. He can also perform all sorts of hacks including text, whatsapp, password decrypt,hack any mobile phone, Escape Bancruptcy, Delete Criminal Records and the rest Email: cybergoldenhacker at gmail dot com
Do you need to increase your credit score? Do you intend to upgrade your school grade? Do you want to hack your cheating spouse Email, whatsapp, Facebook, instagram or any social network? Do you need any information concerning any database. Do you need to retrieve deleted files? Do you need to clear your criminal records or DMV? Do you want to remove any site or link from any blog? you should contact this hacker, he is reliable and good at the hack jobs.. contact : cybergoldenhacker at gmail dot com
I Want to use this medium to appreciate an online ghost hacker, after being ripped off my money he helped me find my cheating lover and helped hack his WHATSAPP, GMAIL and kik and i got to know that he was cheating on me, In less than 24 hours he helped me out with everything, hacking setting is trust worthy contact him via: hackingsetting50@gmail.com
I always thought those tab and slot thingies were the way to close a cereal box, after you roll the inner bag.
We now roll the bag up and put it in sideways so the back stays shut. I will admit that this folded-box thing looks good though! I just cleaned and painted my pantry so I'm gonna do this just for neatness!!!
I empty the cereal into plastic storage containers. I started that when a mouse chewed through the cereal box. I caught the little bugger but I still use plastic containers just in case.
When I was a kid, there was no bag. There was a box with a toy (also not in a bag) at the bottom, covered by cereal. I wasn't allowed to dig the toy out either. I had to eat the cereal first. Then came the bags with unpackaged toy inside under the cereal. Then they moved the toy, put it in a separate bag under the bag of cereal. Eventually, the toy was just a memory.
It's going to take another 30 years for her to find the slit was there for sealing the box all the time .
Yknow, I know other people are bored too, but writing about CEREAL!? This is insane.
Whaaat??!! So that little flap that goes in the slit, what is it for?!
It's the stupid "you've been using a can opener wrong" thing again. This isn't an easier way to close a cereal box and this doesn't solve any problem. And it's certainly not the "right way".
Wanna know what is better and keeps the cereal totally FRESH? Plastic containers with airtight lids. Pretty simple, cheap and works better than allowing cereal to be in cardboard, which is vulnerable to varmints (rats/mice) and moisture. Get a grip people, this is not all that brilliant of a way to fold a cardboard box. You can also do the same to chip bags. Do any of you know how to fold a plastic grocery bag into a small ball and tie it shut, saving hundreds into a small container? Try it, you will be amazed at how you can save plastic bags and not toss them into the trash.
I like it. I know there’s a tab closing but mine never seem to work. They pop themselves out. Thanks for the idea
Give this woman a Nobel Prize. She did more to earn it than most other recipients, including president Obama.
I just tried this it works i always end up tearing the box when i open it now thts good way
I transfer cereals and all similar dried goods into plastic air-tight plastic boxes. They keep the products fresh and dry, pack much neate,r and can be stacked - thus saving cupboard space.
This method doesn’t help if the bag is left open (like in this video). No wonder her cereal is stale.
I often have several cereal boxes going at the same time, and I roll down the inner bag to close it and take a Bulldog or other clip to seal the bag securely. My cereal doesn't get soggy, even when the weather is humid.
omg that is such a great idea i will defenitly try that next time i get cereal (well... that is if i remember IMG_202004...2cac45.jpg
omg that is such a cool idea next time i get cereal i will try that (if i remember) IMG_202004...11c1d2.jpg
Woohoo. It's the best and easiest way and it's taken many more years than you😄😄 thanks.
As someone who eats cereal every day, I'm here to say that I love this approach. Many cereal boxes have weak cardboard and super strong glue, leaving the box lids with the tab and slit easy to tear when initially opening. Furthermore, the tab doesn't always stay in the slot and the lid will pop back open or never close. This way of folding ensures that the box will stay closed and it saves on space if you have a full pantry. With this design, you could alternate and flip your boxes to wedge between each other in a sort of zig zag pattern.
So she invented her own method that takes longer and crushes your cereal unless 30% has been eaten. It's like pooping in a bowl and then emptying it into a toilet and then saying 'I figured this out!'
It's cleaner and better looking but air is still going in so that won't change anything to the cereal's taste.
I will try this, it looks like it can work just fine and it does look very neat.
And then the entire box tears apart the first time you try to re-open it. Pass. I'll just continue neatly folding the BAG and using the built-in locking tab that does a great job.
What's wrong with using the existing tab and slit? It may not be as eye pleasing but it works. At 6 in the morning I'm in no mood to practice origami on a cereal box.
Am I the only one who binder clips the bag, and puts the box in the trash?
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