After learning how to organize your kitchen pantry you will be able to find every ingredient you need to make all your family meals. Having a well stocked pantry will help you to spend as little time at the shops grocery shopping and as little time in the kitchen looking for items!
1. Empty your pantry.
This is probably the scariest part of the process! In here you will probably find double ingredients and even items you have forgotten you had! They may even be a year or two old. By emptying your pantry you will have a good feel for what supplies are required.
2. Place all ingredients that are alike together.
Go through each ingredient and place like items with each other. Check the use by date and immediately toss ingredients that are out of code.
Cans / Dry pastas, noodles and rice / Flavor – Herbs & Spices / Oil & vinegars / Jars / Pastes & Mustards / Sauces & Stocks / Paper goods – plates serviettes / Kitchen Helps Box – baking paper, aluminum foil etc..
3. Throw as you go.
Have an empty bin ready to fill and some handy garbage bags. Now throw out all ingredients that have expired. Be ruthless at this stage!
4. Clean your shelves and line with shelf paper.
Dust each shelf then disinfect each shelf. Dry thoroughly before lining with shelf paper. Try to cut the paper to size before laying down.
5. Containerize Ingredients
Items can now be placed in airtight containers. This which will keep things fresher but also help when you come to arrange the space in your pantry. You will be able to stack containers and find them quicker! It is worth buying the right storage containers for your pantry as they will help you ingredients to last and your pantry to look tidy.
6. Place everything away.
Find a home for every item. This may take a bit of juggling depending on your space. A few tips though – keep the things you use frequently at eye level and towards the front
7. Label your containers & storage space
Get your label maker out and start to label your organized kitchen pantry! Your family will know where everything goes as you have everything in it’s designated space! You can organize designated spaces or boxes for baking goods, cans, jars, herbs and spices, sauces & stocks, dry pastas, paper goods, snacks, cereals.
Use your Master Shopping List as a stock guide. You can print an extra copy to keep on your pantry door as a pantry stock list. Highlight all the items you have in your pantry one color and in another color highlight items you need to buy to get your pantry organized and well stocked for all your up coming meal planning!
This is such a lovely idea. I am always looking at ways on how to teach my kids about household things – especially my daughter. Its nice when you have some idea of how to present things. Thanks! Joanne
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Organizing the pantry can be a huge task to even contemplate – especially with kids! I am working on a printable booklet that can help the kids learn and help out when organizing the pantry! This booklet will not only teach but it will also keep them busy whilst you organize!
I love the practical ideas and the clear lay out of your site. Makes me want to sort out the pantry ASAP.
This is a beautiful site with stacks of info and ideas.
It’s great for newly weds and mothers who need a 72 hr day!
There is so much on this site that is helpful and time saving.
The site itself is a pleasure to use – colours and layout make it so easy and I recommend it to all those who cook for pleasure and cook to just fill hungry mouths!
This site has been very helpful as a shopping guide – I no longer buy stuff I don’t need just because I’m not if I need it!!
There is a lot of good and variety of recipes for every meal.
What a nice site – practical and pretty. I am recommending it to lots
of my friends.
Thank you Ruth.
I find this site a real help to get myself and my pantry
organised. Easy and quick to get around too.
Ruthie these are great tips. I like to buy in bulk and then decant into containers to save a little extra cash. I try to store all the larger bulk packages high up above the containers I use every day. People may find this idea helpful too.