11 Steps to an Organized Pantry

Pantry Organization … 11 Steps to an Organized Pantry

© by patsi norwood and A Working Pantry

Are you overwhelmed and don’t know where to start in organizing your pantry?  Is your pantry an avalanche waiting to happen?

Whether you have a large pantry or a small one, keeping it organized is the key to knowing what you have …

Which is the key to using what you have …

Which is the key to keeping the costs of food and things your family uses down …

Which is what we all want, isn’t it?

Here are the steps I take when reorganizing and cleaning my pantry …

1. Pick an area or section to start and take everything out … everything!  Depending on how big your pantry is you might be able to complete your pantry reorganization in one block of time or it may take several as mine did. 

2. Now that you have the area empty, wipe it down with cleaner.  I do not recommend you empty out your entire pantry all at once, chances are you will quickly become overwhelmed, and wind up doing just what needs to be done to get it all back where you took it from!  Working on one section at a time is much more productive, even though it will take longer.  Slow and steady wins this race and gives you the desired results!

3. At this point everything you pulled out of your selected area should be in one spot, on a table, on the counter, etc.  Take a look around at the rest of your pantry.  Do you see any like items?  If so, go get them and add them to the table, counter, etc along with what you’ve already got there.

4. Now that you’ve got all like items together, check for any obvious signs that canned foods (store purchased and home-canned) might be ruined.  At this point I look for bulging tops or bottoms in store purchased canned items and lids that have come loose on home-canned foods.

5. Do the same for any bags or boxes only this time you’re looking for any type of insect, etc that might have hatched out in these items. (Yes, this does happen!)

6. Next, check the ‘best buy’ dates and decide if you want to keep an item, use it now or if it needs to be discarded.  Please keep in mind that the ‘best buy’ date does not mean that an item needs to be tossed if it is beyond that date.  Use your common sense.

7. You’re doing well but we’re not quite finished yet.  Look at your items and see if there are any that can be combined?  Do you have two containers of oatmeal open, combine them.  Do you have 2 boxes of the same kind of cereal open, combine them.  Go through everything in this section looking for items that can be combined.

8. Things are looking good now aren’t they, but there’s one more thing you need to do if possible.  Transfer food items from bags and boxes into glass, heavy plastic or metal containers.  (Don’t forget to label your containers!) By doing this you’ll greatly cut down on any insects and possible insect invasions that can get into your pantry via bags and boxes of foods.  You’ll thank me if you ever have an insect/rodent problem in your pantry!  

9. There’s one last thing you need to do before you start putting items back  … dust, wipe down, wash or clean each container, can, etc.  Dust settles on pantry items just like it does on furniture, so now’s the time to get them cleaned up.

10. Hoot!  Hoot!  Now, it’s time to put your items back into your newly cleaned area.  Have fun with this, arrange like items together and then stand back and admire your completed job.

11. Repeat these steps until your pantry is cleaned and organized!

In a nut shell, here are the steps to deep cleaning and reorganizing your pantry …

1. Pick an area and take everything out

2. Clean empty area

3. Add like items

4. Check canned foods for obvious signs of spoilage

5. Check for signs of insects in bagged and boxed items

6. Check ‘best buy’ dates

7. Combine like items

8. Transfer items in bags and boxes to glass, metal or heavy plastic containers

9. Dust/clean items

10. Return items to pantry

11. Repeat in another area

I hope you find this helpful!

until next time,

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

Sharing 44 years' experience of frugal, prudent living and pantry building 

My second blog:  From This Heart of Mine, where I share my love for God and His Word through my personal Bibe study.  Physical preparedness is important, but not near as important as spiritual preparedness.  Ladies, join me over at From This Heart of Mine and study God's Word with me.

You can view my privacy policy HERE.

Thank you for using my Amazon affiliate link when placing your Amazon orders. I earn a small percentage that doesn't increase what you pay, and it helps me keep my pantry well-stocked! 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you. Thank you for your support through these means.