- Empty Your Entire Pantry
A good pantry should feel more like your tool kit rather than a dumping ground for things you do not have an idea what to do with. The best way to figure this out is to pull everything out as it makes it easier to clean and reorganize.
- Group Similar Products
Similar products need to be grouped to make them easier to find. Having them scattered around creates a bigger mess when you have to search the whole pantry for one item. The idea here is to keep items that you often use together in proximity. A few examples include flour and sugar, chips and salsa, and pasta and tomato sauce. This way, you will not search for things when restocking the pantry.
- Have Everything Labeled
Labeling the shelves, bins, and containers makes it easier for everyone to know where each item is located. If you do not label everything, you will always end up in a mess when members of your household are at home. It also helps avoid mixing up the wrong stuff especially when two ingredients look almost the same in appearance. For quick labeling, consider a Bluetooth label maker or chalkboard labels.
- Be Mindful of the Expiration Dates
Organize the items in your pantry based on expiration dates so that the food items that expire sooner are placed at the front while the others follow. It is also important to write the expiration dates when transferring original products from their packaging into clear containers. Even if you are not around, anyone can keep track of the products whose expiration dates are due from those that are not.
- Create More Space
A few accessories that are carefully chosen for your pantry can ensure you never lose anything again. When you shop around, you may come across professional organizers with wire baskets or clear plastic bins that have the same depth as the pantry shelves. Bins usually function like drawers because you can pull them out to access products or items that would have otherwise been stuck in the back.
- Put Everyday Products at Eye Level
Besides grouping similar products together, it is also important to put items that you use often at eye level. The food items or ingredients that you use every day for cooking need to be the most accessible. A few examples include cooking oil, vinegar, salt, and other condiments. Things like baking products can always live up high on the shelves because most people do not use them every day.
- Adjust the Shelves
Many kitchen cabinets are designed with adjustable shelves but not everyone bothers to rearrange them. In most cases, the shelves are usually a foot apart, which leads to wastage of vertical space. You can maximize the existing space by adjusting the shelves to fit all your cans and containers. You can even squeeze an extra shelf or two if you have enough room. A wire cabinet shelf or a helper shelf can add an elevated level on top of your existing shelf.
- Keep Up With Maintenance
You will probably be intrigued with your recently organized pantry but the only way it can stay tidy is to sift through its contents regularly. This means giving your shelves a quick touch-up any time you add your weekly grocery haul. It should only take a few minutes to put things back into their original place. Always take inventory of what you have to avoid buying duplicates and check expiration dates to prevent things from going bad.
A well-organized pantry not only makes things easier to find but also gives you a sense of control in the kitchen. You get to keep track of what expires soon and where everything else is kept so that you always get it right the first time. After reorganizing your pantry, it is crucial to stay on top of maintenance to avoid falling back into your old habits.