If your pantry is cluttered and chaotic, it’s going to add to the stress. Not only does it take longer to find what you need, you are likely to be wasting money with items going out of date before they are used.
Most of us are usually rushing around at meal times, feeling behind the eight ball and multitasking.
Want an organised pantry?
Let’s get your pantry working for you!
Allow at least 2 to 3 hours for this job – don’t be put off…think of how much easier it will be afterwards.
As always the first step is to declutter and sort your pantry.
- Make sure your kitchen surfaces and any nearby tables are clear, you will need these to sort onto.
- Grab some masking tape or painters tape to make temporary labels.
- Gradually empty your pantry, as you take items out:
- Check the product is still in date. If it isn’t and it is something you use regularly add to your shopping list.
- Group like minded items together and write temporary labels to help you keep track.
- If you have any spare containers, this will also help segregate your categories.
4. Once the pantry is empty, give it a quick clean.
5. Review how you are storing items and what is and isn’t working. For this family, the spice containers worked but the holder didn’t. So we got rid of the holder.
6. Now it’s time to plan how and where to store items. Transpose the temporary labels into the pantry to help you plan. While you plan:
- Items you use regularly are best kept at eye level.
- If you have children, keep healthy snacks in an easy to reach spot.
- Use storage containers to help coral small like-minded items. Handled baskets make the container easy to grab.
7. Once you have decided where everything will go, consider labelling shelves and containers to help everyone know where to look and return items.
8. If you made a shopping list, check the list to make sure you didn’t find more of the same item before heading to the shops.
Any other tips you would like to add?
Don’t delay, start today
Sara
