A Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Pantry

With spring finally on the horizon, it’s time to breathe new life into every corner of your home. It’s easier to focus on larger spaces such as kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. But within the heart of many homes is the small, yet equally significant pantry. 

Assess and Declutter 

Before diving headfirst into the cleaning process, you should have a look at your pantry. Take into account its current state and take some time to sort through everything. Start by pulling everything out from the shelves, drawers, cabinets, etc.  

Sift through the contents and pay close attention to expiration dates. Get rid of anything that’s long passed its prime or showing signs of spoilage. Be ruthless and consider getting rid of items you bought on a whim, that you can’t remember buying, or you forgot about. You’ll likely find a few items with dust on their lids! Anything you don’t see yourself using, anything you plan to place in the back of your shelves again, consider donating them. 

Categorizing and Conquering 

With the clutter cleared out, it’s time to categorize and conquer the remaining chaos.  

The easiest way to go about this is by grouping related items together. Consider categories such as canned goods, grains, pasta, sauces, spices, snacks, baking supplies and so on.  

Invest in storage solutions that suit your pantry layout and your needs too. Think clear bins, baskets, shelf dividers and even tiered shelves. These can all maximize the space of your pantry and enhance visibility. Don’t forget to use the back of your pantry door too; you can gain more storage space by fitting hooks, racks or over-the-door organizers.  

Despite having everything organized, don’t put anything back in the pantry just yet! You’ll want it empty so you can have a thorough clean; getting into every nook and cranny in your pantry. 

Deep Cleaning 

When it comes to cleaning, it’s best to start at the top and work your way down. 

Wipe away any cobwebs that have gathered in the corners and on the light fixture; don’t forget to dust any wall trimmings too.  

Next, you’ll want to clean the shelves. Wipe them down with a mild cleaner; remember you’re putting food in here. Pay attention to any sticky spills or stubborn stains that might require more of a scrub. Don’t forget to get into the corners of your shelves too! 

Whether you’ve got laminate, luxury vinyl tile or wood flooring in your pantry, you’ll want to give it a clean as well. Sweep or vacuum it to gather any crumbs or debris that might have accumulated. You should then give it a mop over; just make sure to use a very little amount of water to prevent damaging your floor. 

Accessible Organization 

The key to maintaining a well-organized pantry is by making everything accessible.  

Arrange your pantry so the items you use often are at eye level or within arm’s reach for convenience. You can then use the higher or lower shelves for items you use less frequently or any bulk purchases.  

If you’ve got storage solutions in place, be strategic in your placement and make sure to label them so you can easily find what you need. You can even include expiration dates to help you keep track of shelf life. Making sure you use everything before they expire. 

Consider implementing a rotation system too. When you buy new items, keep the older ones at the front, placing the newer items to the back of your shelves. This will help prevent spoilage and keep your items fresh. 

Another way to organize your pantry is by stacking containers. Think vertically wherever you can. This stops you from hiding products behind each other, allowing you to keep track of everything you have.  

Additional Storing Idea 

This isn’t for everyone, and you might be completely fed up with the trend, but the most functional pantries are the ones where you can see inside the containers. Consider recanting grains, pasta, cereals, etc. into clear jars or silicone pouches. This will make your pantry appear tidier and more organized. Make sure to responsibly dispose of the packaging, following recycling instructions. 

You could even consider wire baskets to store potatoes, onions, garlic, etc. which will keep for longer if they’re stored in a cool and dark place.  

Spring Cleaning Your Pantry 

It’s essential to maintain your pantry regularly. Consider setting aside some time each month to give your pantry a clean and refresh. Checking for expired items as well as reorganizing and tidying shelves where needed. Making a note of what needs replenishing too. If you do this, by the time the next season comes round, your deep clean shouldn’t be too big of a challenge.  

A well-organized and clean pantry keeps your kitchen functional and manageable. Allowing the heart of your home to run to its full potential.