Tired of having to take everything out of your pantry just to find that one thing you need for dinner? Worried that if you move too much, things might start falling? Or maybe you’re not sure how much stock you have because you can’t see everything.
Well, you’re in luck. Today we’ll walk you through how to first declutter and then organize your kitchen pantry, so you don’t have to worry about that stuff any longer.
Clear Your Shelves
To get started, we recommend that you remove everything from your shelves. Yes, all of it. Spread it out on your kitchen counters or table so that you can actually see what you have. While it’s out, this is a good time to wipe down your shelves.
Declutter Your Pantry Items
Now it’s time to make some decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. Don’t worry – with our 4 steps below, this is an easy process.
1. Group Your Items into Categories
Take a moment to put all your like items together – this will allow you to determine whether you have any duplicates or nearly empty items, and it’ll help you see what you actually use.
Depending on the amount of things you have, this could get extremely frustrating. You now have two options. You can clean it yourself or you can get organizational services from a professional service business.
2. Trash Expired and Stale Products
You’re making room for fresh products, so trash what needs to be trashed. Along with items that are past stated expiration dates, get rid of anything that smells off or simply looks too old to be eaten. If it’s in that kind of state, you’re not ever going to eat it. Be ruthless.
3. Start a Donation Box
In this pile, put extras from anything you have way too much of, anything you don’t know how to use, and anything you have no desire to use. Do not include any open items. If you followed step 2, there shouldn’t be any expired products, but double-check just in case, then drop off the box at a local donation center.
4. Make Note of What You Have Left
You should only be left with foods you actually use and foods you like. Make a note of anything you have an excess of (if you didn’t donate it) and make it a point to use that up soon. This will also help you determine what you need to buy more of and what you can skip on your next grocery run.
Organize Your Pantry
Now that you have decluttered your pantry items, it’s time to put it all back in!
1. Use Clear, Wire, or Stackable Containers to Repackage
One of the keys to having an organized pantry is being able to see everything that you have. See-through containers or stackable baskets and bins with labels can make sure loose items (e.g. gravy packets, bouillon cubes, etc.) have a place and that you can see your food. Put as many dry items as you can in air-tight containers to keep them fresher longer.
2. Restock Vertically and According to Use
Now you’re ready to restock your pantry, but you don’t want to just throw everything back in. You should consider how often each item is used, and place them accordingly. Keep your categories and multiples together so they’re easy to find, and place items you use daily at eye level. At the top, place lighter items which you only use occasionally, and put the heavier occasional items on lower shelves.
As you fill each shelf, you should try to keep things as vertical as possible (this is why stackable containers are good) so that you can see everything instead of hiding things behind other items on the same shelf.
If you follow these steps, you’ll have a decluttered and organized pantry in no time! This will make it easier to know what you need to buy and help you see items you need to use up, saving you time and money!
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