As a busy mom, I know keeping your kitchen pantry organized can be tricky. Today, we will concentrate on decluttering and organizing your kitchen pantry.
A well-organized kitchen pantry can be the difference between a calm, relaxing cooking experience and a chaotic, stressful one. A well-organized pantry can save you time and money, not to mention reduce your stress levels!
If you’re tired of feeling like your pantry is a black hole of lost ingredients and half-empty boxes, read on for our top seven tips for achieving pantry perfection.
Tip #1: Designate a “Home” for Each Item
One of the most important things you can do to keep your pantry organized is to give each item a “home.” By that, I mean to assign a specific spot on a shelf or in a cabinet for each type of food item. For example, all your baking supplies should be kept together in one place, while all your canned goods should be stored in another.
Another way to create homes for your pantry items is baskets, bins, and containers. This can help you to corral items together and keep them organized. Just be sure to label each basket or bin so that you know what goes where.
By giving everything its own home, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and frustration when trying to find what you need in your pantry, you’ll always know where to find what you’re looking for, and you’ll be less likely to buy duplicates of items you already have accidentally.
Tip #2: Purge Your Pantry Regularly
One of the best ways to keep your pantry organized is to purge it regularly. At least once a month, you should go through your pantry and get rid of any expired or non-perishable items. This will help you to keep your pantry feeling fresh and well-stocked, and it will also make room for new items.
When purging your pantry, check the expiration dates on your food items, even if they are non-perishable. Just because an item doesn’t expire doesn’t mean it will last forever. For example, most spices should be replaced every six months to one year, while peanut butter and other nut butter can start to go bad after about three months.
Tip #3: Keep a List of Your Pantry Items
After you’ve purged your pantry and given everything its own home, keeping a list of all the items in your pantry is a good idea. This will come in handy when you’re making your grocery list or trying to remember if you need to restock a certain item.
You can either keep a physical list taped to the inside of your pantry door or create a digital one on your computer or phone. If you go the digital route, be sure to update your list regularly so that it stays accurate. Either way, having a list of your pantry items will help you keep track of what you have and need, making restocking your pantry a breeze.
Tip #4: Use Clear Containers
Clear containers are a great way to keep your pantry organized and looking its best. Not only will clear containers help you to see what you have at a glance, but they will also protect your food from pests and keep everything fresh.
When using clear containers, choose the right size for each item. You don’t want your containers to be too big or too small, or you’ll waste space (and money). Also, label each container with a permanent marker so that you always know what’s inside and when it is in there.
Tip #5: Store Food at Eye Level
Store the food you use most often at eye level, so it’s easy to see and reach. This way, you won’t have to search through piles of boxes and bags every time you need something.
Also, when you can see all of your food at a glance, you’re less likely to forget that you have it and let it go to waste. Every time you open your pantry, you’ll be reminded of what you have and can plan your meals accordingly. Win-win!
Tip #6: Get Rid of Excess Packaging
Transfer dry goods like cereal, rice, pasta, etc. into clear storage containers when you get home from the store. This will not only help keep your pantry organized, but it will also save space since most packaging takes up more room than the actual food itself!
Actually, this tip can be applied to any food, not just dry goods; for example, you can decant your favorite sauce into a plastic container instead of keeping the whole jar.
Label each container with the contents and the date so you can keep track of everything, and be sure to use airtight containers to keep your food fresh.
Tip #7: Keep Your Pantry Clean
Lastly, keep your pantry clean—sweeping or vacuuming the floor regularly and wiping down the shelves as needed. If you have any spillage, clean it up immediately so that it doesn’t attract pests or become a breeding ground for bacteria.
A clean pantry will not only look and smell better, but it will also be a safer place to store your food. Imagine you get home after a long day of work and starving. The last thing you want is to dig through a messy pantry to prepare your meal. So do yourself (and your family) a favor and keep things clean!
Conclusion
There you have seven tips to help you organize your pantry like a pro! Remember, keeping things simple and streamlined is the key to a well-organized pantry. Don’t overcomplicate things or try to fit too much into one space. When in doubt, less is always more.
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