The Big Dump
It’s Springtime, so let’s get organized. This is a great time to bring order to your kitchen pantry or food cupboard. A clutter-free pantry allows you to maximize your storage space, reduce waste, and more easily find the kitchen items you need.
Give your pantry a much needed refresh with tips from organizing experts. The end result will be a more functional space just in time for barbecue season.
START WITH A CLEAN SLATE
Over the past year, we’ve been guilty of stockpiling food, paper products, and cleaning supplies. Certified Professional Organizers, Janine Sarna-Jones, Carol Radellant, and ReGina Smithwick agree that you start by emptying out your pantry. Spend time cleaning and washing the entire space - top to bottom. Now is also a great time to add a fresh coat of paint or reline your pantry with an easy-to-clean liner that cancels small stains and spills.
GROUP LIKE THINGS TOGETHER
Before you start to organize, take inventory and start grouping like things together. Take a cue from the organizers and purge. Get rid of expired items, stale foods, and anything else you do not want or need.
Create these groups based on your family’s needs and be sure to put the groups of food you use most often upfront so they are easier to find.
READY, SET, ORGANIZE
Return the items to your pantry. No need to over think this step - put items together that make the most sense to you. “Organize your pantry in a manner that items are easy to access and quick to see what is there,” says Carol.
For inexpensive storage options, ReGina recommends going to Dollar Tree for affordable organization solutions.
Janine says storage drawers are ideal for displaying all the canned goods, seasonings, and other hidden items that typically get moved to the back of the pantry.
LIST IT OUT
As you begin to reorder your pantry, the organizers suggest you create a running list of your pantry staples. Creating an inventory list of everything returned to your pantry reduces the likelihood of a double-purchase.
No two pantries are the same so maintaining an organized pantry requires you to think about what works for you. Always put things back where you found them. Set aside some time monthly to make sure the space is clean and every item is in its place. “Organizing means different things to different people,” says Janine. Find a system that works for you.
Sources include Zoom Interviews with:
Janine Sarna-Jones, CPO®, SMM-C | [email protected]
Carol Radellant | www.cluttersolved.com
ReGina Smithwick | Smithwick Solutions LLC Owner
Crystal Walker is one of Hope magazine’s newest contributing writers and when she’s not obsessing over throwing the perfect party, you can find her preparing a mouthwatering meal, reading or watching the news.
