We are in full fall cleaning mode now as we welcome in October
and I’m happy to welcome my very first guest post today. Please make Miriam Bornstein from Zillow feel welcome by commenting on her chore prompt. This is a perfect “tackle
over weekend” chore.
By Miriam Bornstein
Say goodbye to your nightly game of hide-and-seek when
searching for dinner ingredients. If your pantry looks like a war zone with open
boxes of pasta, spices on every shelf and empty containers taking up limited counter
space, then you are in dire need of pantry reorganization.
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1) Clean the Pantry:
One of the best ways to organize your pantry is by starting with
a clean slate. Pull everything out and give shelves a wipe down – dust every
nook and cranny. When clearing the pantry, pay attention to the products you use
infrequently. Perhaps they don’t deserve easily accessible locations when you
restock. The same process applies to cleaning out your fridge
or closet. It's important to toss expired or rarely used food and repackage
items that take up unnecessary space.
2) Categorize Items:
Once your pantry is cleared out, separate items into four
categories:
- Items you use on a daily basis
- Items you use less frequently
- Unopened items for donation
- Expired items to throw out
Categorizing items helps eliminate overbuying, revealing
which products are collecting dust or products your family consumes the most.
3) Make it Functional:
Once all four categories are established, you can strategically
place items in more accessible locations. Place heavier items, like olive oil
and vinegar, on the bottom shelf, while keeping the items you use on a daily
basis, like cereal, at eye level. If you find yourself using your grandma's
hand-me-down mixing bowls less frequently, place them on the bottom shelf to
make room for the kitchen appliances you use more frequently.
4) Create a View:
The saying “out of sight, out of mind” certainly applies
here. Opt for open shelves, wire baskets or glass-front cabinetry to see the items
you already have in your pantry and avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
Optimize vertical space, while saving counter space, by placing your dry foods
in clear containers. If you don't want to install new cabinets, one quick fix
is to add pegboard to a pantry or kitchen wall, allowing you to hang pans,
colanders and other utensils.
5) Restock and
Organize:
Restock and organize your pantry around your family's lifestyle. Establish order and consistency
by storing baking ingredients in one section, canned foods in another and
grains and pasta together. Organization helps you remember where certain items belong,
making it simple to find items at dinner time, unload goods after a grocery
trip and eliminate constant pantry cleanings.
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Although organizing your pantry may seem like a tedious
chore, it saves time and money in the long run. These simple tips can help create
a smoother pantry-organizing routine.
Please share in comments: Which section, or category in your pantry gets disorganized most often? For us, it’s the cereal/breakfast food section because it's used daily.
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