As one of the primary places for food storage in the home, the pantry should be kept clean and organized. Yet, with every shopping trip it seems the pantry becomes a bit more jumbled and cluttered, and food ends up getting pushed to the back of the shelf and is forgotten. A tidy pantry helps you save time cooking and save money on groceries. Therefore, it is well worth the effort to organize your space. Reclaim your kitchen from chaos once and for all with these steps to clean and organize your pantry.

Step 1: Empty the pantry

Remove all food from the shelves, cupboards and drawers. As you clear the space, discard any expired or stale items. If you have any unexpired, non-perishable food you know you won’t eat, consider donating these items to a food bank.

Step 2: Clean thoroughly

Wipe all surfaces and vacuum the pantry floor thoroughly to catch any remaining crumbs. Pay close attention to the corners of your space and be sure to clean any sticky spots or spills with a sponge and cleaning solution. To make future cleaning easier, install shelf liners that can be wiped clean easily.

Step 3: Sort the items

Before putting food back into the pantry, sort items by type. Canned fruits, soups and vegetables share a group together, while spices form their own category. Use a spice rack to store spices, placing the items you use most frequently at the front of the rack.

Step 4: Arrange the pantry

Now that the pantry is empty, clean, and its contents are grouped by categories, take a look at the design of the space. Consider how you can organize your food items based on their use. For example, everyday supplies should be within easy reach, while lesser-used items can occupy higher shelves. Imagine how you can use lower shelves to store heavier items such as water bottles and bulk foods. Refresh your pantry to find what you need quickly and easily assess your inventory prior to your next shopping trip.

A custom pantry designer can help you create the perfect storage system to meet your needs. From adjustable shelving and shelf dividers to integrated wine racks and bread drawers, a custom pantry is a well-designed, functional space that allows everything to have its own place.  

Arizona Garage & Closet Design has pantry solutions that can transform any kitchen. When it comes to pantry organization, we offer many options.  To see what would work best for your home, request a complimentary in-home pantry design estimate.

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