Spring is the perfect time to clean out your cabinets and pantry. It’s a great way to refresh your home and start fresh, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.
Here are 8 steps to help you clear out the clutter and get organized!
1. Set Pantry Goals
What do you want from your pantry? Do you want to make it more functional, or more beautiful? Do you want to be able to find things quickly, or do you just want to be able to close the door on all that mess? You might have different goals for each area of your kitchen, so think about what’s important in each area before starting.
2. Take Inventory
Now that you know what you want from your pantry, take inventory of what’s currently in there. Are there any foods that expired last month? Is there anything moldy? If so, throw it away immediately! Then check expiration dates on everything else—you may want to donate items past their prime if they’re still in good condition.
3. Declutter
Once expired items are out of the way, it’s time for some serious decluttering! Get rid of all those old cans and jars and clear off your shelves so that nothing gets lost behind other items (and so that nothing gets lost behind them).
4. Organize
Organize all of your items into categories—food, cleaning supplies, cookware, etc.—and make sure all the items are neatly organized in their bins or drawers.
5. Find Your Flow
Know where you want things to go, and if possible, make sure things are arranged in an order that makes sense. For example, canned goods could go on one shelf and dry goods on another—you get the idea.
6. Organize with Containers and Baskets
It’s not enough to just throw things into the pantry—you want them organized so that you can see what you have and make sure it’s all in good shape.
7. Label Items
Label items with expiration dates and other important info (like allergens). This is especially important if you have kids who might eat from the pantry without your supervision.
8. Stock Your Shelves
Put your items back on your shelves in a visually pleasing way (arranging them by color or size or shape can be helpful). This will make them easy to find when you need them.
Visit The Fancy Pantry to learn more about creating your dream pantry.