It is the season for organizing! If you have never tackled your pantry space, today is the day. Brace yourself. It is going to be a wild but rewarding ride. Here are some tips to help you:
- PURGE: "Empty your entire pantry, and thoroughly clean it before you begin the organization process. Check expiration dates, and toss anything that's past its prime or no longer in use. This will free up space in your pantry and help things stay organized longer" (HGTV). Remember: if you have not eaten something yet that has been there for a long time, you probably never will. Get rid of it and any guilt you may feel about it.
- SUPPLY: "We strongly believe that the dollar store should be your first stop once you decide to take pantry organization into your own hands. You’ll find so many baskets there, for such little money" (Kitchn). You do not need to spend a ton of money to get great results; you just have to be creative!
- STRATEGIZE SPACE: "If you have doors on your pantry, hang organizers over them to free up shelf space. Canned goods, spices, oils and jars are usually good fits for these types of organizers" (HGTV). Another good tip is making sure food for kids is at a level they can reach, as will as making use of FIFO (first in, first out).
- LABEL: "Labels are not just for leftovers in the fridge and freezer. By labeling your jars, you’ll be able to spot what you need in a glance. Oh, and labels go beyond pretty jars, too — if you have a basket of, say, snacks for the kids, put a label on it" (Kitchn). Labels help ensure everything gets put back in the space you so carefully organized for it.
- MAINTAIN: "Your pantry can get disorganized after a while. Schedule a quick cleaning [once] a month to make sure that everything is up-to-date and in place, so you don't have to spend hours organizing again" (HGTV).
Happy cleaning!
(Image via Canva)
Posted by Ken Richter on
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