Pantries can be a big, daunting task to clean up because they become a catch-all for your food. Your best bet is to divide and conquer. Here is a step-by-step guide to spring cleaning and organizing your pantry.
1. Take everything out of your pantry. Check every item for the expiration date; if it has passed, toss it. Same goes for stale products. If you bought something, with big plans to bake or cook, like you’re a top chef, but never got to use it, throw it out. That cereal box that hasn’t been touched for months or the half eaten bag of chips–garbage! The expired oatmeal and beans–toss it out! If you have to think twice, it belongs in the garbage.
2. Sort all the items you want to keep into different categories. One section for canned goods, such as corn or fruit. Another for baking, like flour and sugar. Same goes for breakfast items like oatmeal, cereal, jams and syrups. Those paper goods get their own section as well. Maybe a breakfast section makes sense for you.
At this point, the pantry is empty and you have thrown some stuff away. This is great progress!
3. Next, clean the pantry. Grab a wash cloth or paper towel and cleaning spray. Wipe out all those crumbs, pasta noodles, and random beans that fell out of your cholent mix. Make the pantry nice and sparkly. Even the unidentifiable caked on food, scrape it out and wipe it down.
4. Make a plan to put your pantry back together and see the transformation. Do you need to purchase any containers or baskets? Or, do you already have some? Amazon, Target and the Container Store have great products. You can get amazing clear, airtight containers from OXO.
5. To label or not to label? Section your pantry either in your head or with labels. Place the containers where you think they would go best. Lazy Susans work best in tight corners. Bins on the floor are great to hold snacks, for easy access for you little ones. Use clear bins to see everything you have. You can also transfer already opened packages to clear containers or glass jars, such as mason or jam jars. Ziplocs and jars are good to store open pastas, dry beans or other easy-to-spill items. Placing ingredients that need to be used up earlier in the front is a great way to save food.
6. Labeling: Does labeling make sense for your pantry? Do you remember where things go? Will other family members put groceries away and not know where they go? If so, labels might make sense for you. Label everything to easily see where everything goes. You can use hand-made ones, peel offs or customized, or buy them online. Whatever works for you.
7. Lastly, if you need to, restock your pantry with snacks, canned goods and baking products. Get only the things you need and will realistically use in order to maintain a clean pantry.
8. If you have a pantry broken up into separate cabinets, apply the same grouping and storage tips. Toss out unused items. Clean cabinets and organize items together.
Kayla Bogner is 13 years old and loves to organize. I can help organize pantries, toys, closets etc. Contact me at 201-562-6050 or [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @organizingbyk. Get ready to get organized!
