How to Organize a Pantry
Remove everything from your pantry.Place everything on the kitchen table., Clean out your pantry., Fit baskets or containers into your pantry., Combine duplicate items in containers., Organize what is left on the table., Put the groupings into wire...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Remove everything from your pantry.Place everything on the kitchen table.
Toss out anything outdated or bottles that have less than a teaspoon on the bottom.
If you have duplicates of an item that you rarely use, set these aside.
You may want to reconsider buying that item in the future.
Check expiration dates.
If something is very old, but not outdated, consider donating it.
If it has lasted years, you probably aren’t going to use it. -
Step 2: Clean out your pantry.
Dust your pantry and remove any sticky messes.
If you clean your pantry, there will be more of an incentive to keep it clean.
Use baking soda and vinegar to clear out any mold, and clean the floor as well.
Use butcher paper to line the shelves, so that your pantry will be easier to clean in the future.
Some people like to use wrapping paper for a more cheerful look.
Wire shelves in particular can be drab and may need some dressing up. , If your pantry is disorganized, then it is likely that you need separate containers to split it into sections.
Find baskets with low or transparent walls, so that you can see what is in them without pulling them out.
Some people suggest using spice racks or lazy susans for easy access to items.
Some things, like flour or nuts, that you may accumulate a lot of, can be put into large jars and labelled with a tag and a sharpie. , If you have two bags of flour, put them into one container.
If you accidentally buy duplicate items, you can simply empty them into the containers.
Get square, stackable containers to make the most of the space that you have. , Gather like items together into groups that you will keep them in once you transfer them all to your shelves.
Some people prefer to organize their pantry by meals-- breakfast foods, lunch foods, snacks and beverages.Some people prefer to organize by type.
Common groupings are as follows: flour and sugar, canned and jarred goods, grains and beans, boxed items, spices, canned/bottled beverages, potatoes and onions, and paper goods. , You can usually find cloth baskets at a home goods store.
Also be sure to check goodwill or another thrift store.
Don’t be afraid to pack the basket a little bit tight-- you will be removing it from the pantry to grab your items.
This will ensure that instead of reaching to the back of the pantry you will be able to pull out the basket, remove your item, and replace it. , If you took items out of their original container, label the container.
If you put items in an opaque container for grouping, put a tag on the container and write down which grouping is inside.
You can also print labels onto stickers for more permanent staples, like flour.Labelling is essential for clarity, especially if many of your family members will be reaching into the pantry as well.
If everything is clearly labelled, you will reduce the learning curve and minimize confusion. , Organize your items by weight and necessity.
Heavier items should be the most easily accessible.
The same goes for healthy snacks and daily staples, like cereal and bread.
You may need to put things like cookies and other sweets higher.
They are less likely to hurt someone if they fall, and stay out of the reach of small children. , These can be found online, or you can make your own.
A pantry inventory list is just a list of your groups, the items in them, and how many there are.
As you use and buy items, you update the list, so that you always know how much food you have in the pantry.
You can also buy a chalkboard at a thrift store, or chalkboard paint at a home improvement store.
When you are running low on an item, you can write it on the chalkboard. , You will have more of an incentive to keep your pantry organized if you like the containers that things are kept in.
Buy a couple of fun containers whenever you see them out shopping, and add beauty to your pantry.
You can usually find vintage or antique containers at secondhand stores or junk shops.
Brightly colored containers can usually be found at a home goods store or big box store. , This way you can see their labels, and you will not buy duplicates when you visit the store.
Big box stores sell low wire racks for this purpose, but you can also get creative.
Old cigar boxes can be about the right height.
If you have many duplicate items, sometimes you can stack them two high. -
Step 3: Fit baskets or containers into your pantry.
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Step 4: Combine duplicate items in containers.
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Step 5: Organize what is left on the table.
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Step 6: Put the groupings into wire
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Step 7: or woven baskets.
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Step 8: Label your items.
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Step 9: Put the items back in your pantry.
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Step 10: Create a pantry inventory list.
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Step 11: Use fun containers to keep your pantry beautiful and interesting.
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Step 12: Use levels of storage so that you can see the back row of items.If you have a particularly deep pantry
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Step 13: you may want to elevate items that are in the back by putting them on low shelves.
Detailed Guide
Toss out anything outdated or bottles that have less than a teaspoon on the bottom.
If you have duplicates of an item that you rarely use, set these aside.
You may want to reconsider buying that item in the future.
Check expiration dates.
If something is very old, but not outdated, consider donating it.
If it has lasted years, you probably aren’t going to use it.
Dust your pantry and remove any sticky messes.
If you clean your pantry, there will be more of an incentive to keep it clean.
Use baking soda and vinegar to clear out any mold, and clean the floor as well.
Use butcher paper to line the shelves, so that your pantry will be easier to clean in the future.
Some people like to use wrapping paper for a more cheerful look.
Wire shelves in particular can be drab and may need some dressing up. , If your pantry is disorganized, then it is likely that you need separate containers to split it into sections.
Find baskets with low or transparent walls, so that you can see what is in them without pulling them out.
Some people suggest using spice racks or lazy susans for easy access to items.
Some things, like flour or nuts, that you may accumulate a lot of, can be put into large jars and labelled with a tag and a sharpie. , If you have two bags of flour, put them into one container.
If you accidentally buy duplicate items, you can simply empty them into the containers.
Get square, stackable containers to make the most of the space that you have. , Gather like items together into groups that you will keep them in once you transfer them all to your shelves.
Some people prefer to organize their pantry by meals-- breakfast foods, lunch foods, snacks and beverages.Some people prefer to organize by type.
Common groupings are as follows: flour and sugar, canned and jarred goods, grains and beans, boxed items, spices, canned/bottled beverages, potatoes and onions, and paper goods. , You can usually find cloth baskets at a home goods store.
Also be sure to check goodwill or another thrift store.
Don’t be afraid to pack the basket a little bit tight-- you will be removing it from the pantry to grab your items.
This will ensure that instead of reaching to the back of the pantry you will be able to pull out the basket, remove your item, and replace it. , If you took items out of their original container, label the container.
If you put items in an opaque container for grouping, put a tag on the container and write down which grouping is inside.
You can also print labels onto stickers for more permanent staples, like flour.Labelling is essential for clarity, especially if many of your family members will be reaching into the pantry as well.
If everything is clearly labelled, you will reduce the learning curve and minimize confusion. , Organize your items by weight and necessity.
Heavier items should be the most easily accessible.
The same goes for healthy snacks and daily staples, like cereal and bread.
You may need to put things like cookies and other sweets higher.
They are less likely to hurt someone if they fall, and stay out of the reach of small children. , These can be found online, or you can make your own.
A pantry inventory list is just a list of your groups, the items in them, and how many there are.
As you use and buy items, you update the list, so that you always know how much food you have in the pantry.
You can also buy a chalkboard at a thrift store, or chalkboard paint at a home improvement store.
When you are running low on an item, you can write it on the chalkboard. , You will have more of an incentive to keep your pantry organized if you like the containers that things are kept in.
Buy a couple of fun containers whenever you see them out shopping, and add beauty to your pantry.
You can usually find vintage or antique containers at secondhand stores or junk shops.
Brightly colored containers can usually be found at a home goods store or big box store. , This way you can see their labels, and you will not buy duplicates when you visit the store.
Big box stores sell low wire racks for this purpose, but you can also get creative.
Old cigar boxes can be about the right height.
If you have many duplicate items, sometimes you can stack them two high.
About the Author
Mark Jenkins
Writer and educator with a focus on practical creative arts knowledge.
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