My kitchen pantry is currently out of control, and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t look like a typical pantry since all I have are jars full of dry bulk foods. Today, I plan to work on it for at least 15 minutes.
**Cleaning the Kitchen Pantry**
1. **Remove Everything from the Pantry. **
The first step in organizing your pantry is to take everything out. One benefit of this step is that you’ll physically touch each item, allowing you to check for expired or empty boxes. This will also motivate you to finish the project quickly so you can start using your kitchen again!
2. **Scrub Down the Pantry. **
Pantries are notorious for getting extremely dirty, so this is a great opportunity to wipe down the walls, shelves, and even the floor. If you’re tempted to skip this step, just remember that it could be another three years before you feel motivated to tackle the pantry again!
3. **Determine Which Items You Use Often. **
As you restock the pantry, pay attention to items that you rarely, if ever, use. For the items you don’t use, consider getting rid of them. It may be difficult at first, but you’ll be grateful later! Move infrequently used items to the highest shelf and keep the food and supplies you use daily within easy reach.
4. **Group Similar Items Together. **
To find supplies and ingredients quickly, group similar items together. Keep cans together, coffee supplies together, and spices together. This way, you’ll always know where to return an item after using it, and your family will, too!
5. **Use Wall Space. **
My favorite tip for small pantries is to utilize wall space. You can use hooks and organizers to store spices, foil, plastic wrap, aprons, etc., without taking up precious shelf space. If you find that using your wall space would help in organizing your pantry, make a trip out or order a few organizers as soon as possible!
**Your Assignment for Today:**
– Continue working on Habit #5.
– Organize your kitchen pantry.
– Add this task to your Rainbow calendar and keep working on it.
