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How to do a post-winter pantry clean out

Get ready for spring. - by Laura Barry
  • 14 Aug 2018
How to do a post-winter pantry clean out

Winter is the time of the year when many of us hibernate indoors and eat hearty meals. But our reluctance to leave the house in dismal weather often results in big weekly shops, and our pantries are slowly filled with the memories of grocery shops past. Spring will soon be upon us, which means it’s time to do a thorough post-winter pantry clean out so you know exactly what you have in your pantry, and you can start planning meals around what you already have, save a little money and reduce your food wastage.

Step one: get ready for the clean out

Designate an area in your kitchen, on the bench or on the dining table where you can put everything you’re trying to sort out. Have some storage containers or bags handy in case you need them, as well as some cleaning products for your pantry, such as a spray cleaner and microfibre cloth. Place the bin next to the table so you can easily toss items you don’t want.

modernglamhome View Profile
1,340 likes - View Post on Instagram
I spent the entire day cleaning out and organizing my pantry 🙌🏼 While it doesn't look as good as this one from @thehomeedit, I'm pretty happy with the result. You can see the process in my stories. I still need a few more things to help keep the clutter at bay 🤔Where's your favorite place to get pantry organizers from? 🛒 . . . . #organizingideas #pantryorganization #pantrygoals #pantrychallenge #pantrymakeover #organizationideas #organizationtips #foodstorage #foodpantry #pantrycleanout

Step two: Pull everything out

Pull absolutely everything out of your pantry and start checking expiration dates on all your food. Check if they’ve been opened and if so, what the shelf life is once opened. As you’re working through, toss expired items into the bin, and place items in groups of similar products on your work space. Group sauces and condiments together, snacks together, baking supplies such as flour and sugar together, etc.

justsouthofperfect View Profile
76 likes - View Post on Instagram
Happy Friday everyone!! The pantry is (mostly) finished and I couldn't be more happy with how it turned out! Check out my stories for a full tour and details! I have been wanting to redo it for quite some time, but the containers can really add up. I have spent the summer purging closets and listing garage sale items to save up for the new look! I just love it! We are getting ready for our annual "weekend-o-fun" that we have with our kiddos each year the weekend prior to school starting. Typically includes movies, fun outings, and lots of sweet treats. 😉 What plans do you all have for the weekend? * * #justsouthofperfect #pantry #pantrymakeover #pantryorganization #pantrycleanout #pantrygoals #pantrylove #farmhouse #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #farmhousekitchen #farmhousedesign #modernfarmhouse #betterhomesandgardens #bhghome #bhgfood #bhgbaking #bhgprojects #raedunn #raedunncanisters #raedunnlove #raedunndisplay

Step three: Clean your pantry

Using a cleaner of your choice, give your pantry a thorough clean, removing all left over residue from sauces, any spilt flour or salt, etc. You with this pantry to be clean and fresh for new food.

modernglamhome View Profile
1,007 likes - View Post on Instagram
Talk about pantry goals!🙌🏼 Not only am I impressed by the organization here, but this collection of dishes and cake stands is 😍 Shared for #housebeautifulhome by @homewithhollyj 👏👏👏 . Keep sharing and tagging your photos and we will share our favorites this weekend! Hosted by: @hallstromhome @happyhappynester @yourmarketingbff @modernglamhome 💕 . . . #pantrygoals #pantrycleanout #pantrymakeover #organzing #foodpantry #organizingideas #organizationideas #organizing #thelighthome #casualchichome #bhilivebeautifully

Step four: check your lighting

Once everything is removed from your pantry, take a moment to consider whether this little storage space gets enough light for you to see clearly into it. If not, there are many inexpensive battery-operated lights that can stick on to a wall or the underside of a shelf to provide some extra lighting. 

krufeorganizer View Profile
132 likes - View Post on Instagram
ⓚ[swipe for 7 Pinterest pics] Alot of you guys sent me DMs asking for tips on how to quick makeover a messy pantry! So here it is : start by categorizing your pantry and the items going into it. Chances are, you've got a lot of food taking up lot of space. Here are the basic pantry categories: *Baking supplies *Bulk items (rice, beans, nuts and other bulk dry goods) *Canned food *Pasta and pasta sauces *Chocolate and desserts *Prepackaged foods *Snacks Cardboard food boxes clutter the space, so using clear containers is an excellent way to store pasta, grains, rice, etc. (and keep it fresh!). Woven baskets can also be effective pantry organizers when you use them correctly - but I don't recommend them for everything. They're nice to look at, but the large sizes can become so full of food that you can't see what's at the bottom. However, they do work well to store items like bags of food, snacks, prepackaged breakfast items, large quantities of the same item, and extra canned goods. For canned goods, can-racks are the perfect option for every cans of soup, tomatoes, beans, etc. Also purchase stackable baskets to keep fruit and vegetables. They're nice if you like to buy huge quantities of a certain fruit or vegetable. 👍🏼There are tons of online options to choose from amazon eBay but I highly recommend going first at the Dollar Tree or any local dollar store and see what they carry. It's amazing what you can purchase for a dollar a piece and get this fancy pantry makeover! #pantry #pantrymakeover #pantrygoals #pantrydesign #pantrychallenge #foodpantry #pantrycleanout #thepantry

Step five: reassess the food you are keeping

Take stock of the food you have in your cupboard right now, and start writing down recipes that can use up the ingredients you have lying around. Once this is done, take a good look at the packaging of your pantry supplies. Should anything be put into Tupperware containers for more efficient storage? Is anything looking damaged or torn? Would you be able to see/use it easier if it were packaged differently? Is anything leaking or sticky? Whatever you decide, this is the time to wipe down bottles, transfer pasta or cereal into air-tight containers or pop the flour and sugar into resealable bags.

thenewhomeco View Profile
208 likes - View Post on Instagram
#TipTuesday Make your pantry look twice as big with organizing tips from our partner, @thehomeedit! ✨ Snapshot of NWHM's Canyon View Model Home. View more at the link in bio. Repost: @2chicevents Photo by: @truelovephotos

Step six: pack it up

Pick a shelf for each group of items, keeping the most used products at the most accessible point. Arrange herbs and spice for cooking together on one shelf, sauces and condiments on another, cereal and other breakfast foods on one shelf, snacks on another, etc. If you’re short on space, consider sectioning off groups of products using storage baskets or other organization products. Finally, remember the many:few arrangement technique: one row of products set closely together at the back, and one row of fewer items spaces farther apart at the front, so you can easily see and access whatever is on the shelf.

theorganizedspace_ View Profile
20 likes - View Post on Instagram
Finished this walk-in pantry today!! Keeping a pantry clean and organised is as simple and giving every product a home and of course labeling 🤗 #pantrygoals #labels #kitchen #theorganizedspace #organisedlife #cleanandtidy #happyspace #clutterfree #pantry #pantrygoals

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The spring cleaning guide

Why you should always clean the kitchen first

  • Food
  • Better Life
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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