Clean & Organize Your Pantry For Fall
With the high prices of food, you want to economize and optimize your cooking and baking supplies. Autumn is the perfect time to do this chore.
First empty your shelves. It’s inevitable that there are a few spills or crumbs. Maybe you’ll find an ant or two back there, or God forbid – signs of rodents. Clean all shelves, racks, storage containers and walls with an antibacterial or anti-microbial household cleaner and a sponge or rag. Clean the floor with an anti-bacterial floor cleaner and a mop. You may want to add and ant trap or other deterrent if you see any tell-tale signs.
Check all item expiration dates of your items and throw away anything past its prime. The number of food items you bought and forgot about may surprise you. Donate any items you find that are still good that you might not use. Throw out anything else that you find you don’t need.
Before just stuffing everything back on the shelves, take a few moments to consider reorganization. Do you need more shelving? Or is there space for industrial shelving units anywhere so you can take advantage of sales and bulk purchases? You might consider installing racks on the inside of the pantry door for easy access to spice jars and other items for cooking. Shelf risers can double a shelf’s storage capacity for smaller items. Installing a turntable or lazy susan also makes for easy access.
Solutions such as can storage dispensers can be useful in storing certain canned goods that you use often. They are convenient because they make space for other items and allow you to grab a can you need as if dispensed from a vending machine. You can even use them in the refrigerator for items such as sodas.
Sort pantry items into general zones or groups: canned goods together, boxed foods with boxed foods, snack bags together, etc. Then sort by sub-groups within the larger groups — canned items: soups together, canned vegetables together, etc. As you do this, take note of items you need to replace or want to purchase next grocery trip.
Sorting spices and herbs alphabetically will help you find what you need quickly and easily.
Empty cereal, sugar, grains, coffee and flour into sealable storage containers to keep them fresh longer and to make efficient use of shelf space.
Keep items that might drip, causing sticky spills, such as maple syrup, in plastic baskets or on trays for easy cleanup of inevitable spills.
When you buy groceries and put them away, remember to do it like the grocery stores: First in, first out. Meaning storing new items in the back so the older items are in front and will be used first before their expiration dates.
Now you are organized and ready making your Fall and Winter meal preparations easier and more efficient.