Project Clean Up 2020...Week 11: Pantry

My pantry! One of my most favorite (and most used) rooms in my whole house. This is where our extras are kept, shoes, backpacks, paper products, etc...I love getting this area cleaned out.

Here is how I did it;

__ Toss all expired and unwanted items. This includes bags with only crumbs left. 

__ If you have multiple containers of the same product open (chips, cereal, spices, etc..), check the containers to make sure they are still good and then combine them if possible. Then implement a one-at-a-time rule: Don't open a new container until the old one is empty or discarded. 

__ Gather loose packets of food (snack bars, single-serving bags of chips) and put them in storage containers such as a basket or stackable container. Use one storage container per category.

__ Sort through the remaining items and group like things together; canned veggies, soups, spaghetti sauces and pasta, snack foods, cereals. Create a zone for each category. You'll be able to find things faster and know when you are out of items. 

__ Organize your pantry from most used items to least-used items. Place the least-used items in the back and the most used-within easy reach.

__ Pantries are usually smaller spaces so make the most of your vertical space. If you have few shelves but lots of space between them, buy racks that will let you use the space between the shelves. 

__ If you shelves are set far enough back from the door, you can buy an over-the-door organizer to hold more food items. 

__ Set up a checklist for pantry staples. This could be a computerized printout or a small dry erase board. Keep a list of the staples you use and put an "x" next to those you are in need of. This way, the next time you head to the grocery store you will know exactly what you need. Here's an example checklist:

__ Canned veggies

__ Pasta

__ Rice

__ Olive Oil

__Chicken/Beef Broth

__Condensed Soups

__ Condiments

__Spaghetti Sauce

__ Cereal

__Baking Ingredients; sugar, flour, vanilla

__ Snacks for school or work lunches

Here are some specifics I added for my own pantry:

__ Clean all containers and lids. Be sure all containers are still labeled.

__ Line items in baskets neatly.

__ Write up shopping list for any items that are low.

__ Take extras in pantry and fill current containers in the kitchen.

__ Go through specialty cookbooks basket for keep and sell items.

Shoe Area:

__ Be sure all shoes still fit and are in nice condition. Toss any that are torn or not cleanable. Any that do not fit or no longer interested, clean and put into the sell box.

__ Be sure all shelves and crates are labeled per person or for play shoes.

Hanging area;

__ Be sure backpack area is still labeled per person.

__ Hang all backpacks and lunch bags neatly.

__ Hang adult windbreakers.

__ Go through aprons. Wash, donate or sell any unwanted based on condition. Hang ones being kept.

__ Go through hanger or most used purses. Toss any with tears. Donate any unwanted. Rehang ones being kept.

__ Clean out diaper bag and hang on hook.

__ Sweep and mop floor.

Onto Week 12...Clean Large Appliances. See you next week!