How to Clean and Organize a Pantry in 5 Steps
Crumbs, expired food and crowded shelves: here is the five-step method we use to reset a pantry.
A pantry is easy to ignore until you cannot find the olive oil. The good news: a full reset takes about an hour, and the method is simple. It is the same simple routine whether you do it yourself or just want to know what a thorough clean of the shelves involves.
1. Take everything out
Empty every shelf, even the ones that look fine. Group items by type on a counter as you go: snacks, canned goods, baking, drinks, cleaning supplies. Throw away anything expired or stale.
2. Wipe down every shelf
Vacuum crumbs from corners and shelf edges first, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth and a mild cleaner. Let the shelves dry before you put anything back. This is also the moment to wipe the floor and baseboards.
3. Decide what lives where
Put the things you use every day at eye level and heavy or rarely used items at the bottom. Keep cleaning supplies on their own shelf, away from food.
4. Use baskets and bins
Open baskets keep small items together and turn a shelf into pull-out drawers. Snacks in one, baking supplies in another, drinks and bars in a third. Labels help the whole family put things back.
5. Do a quick reset every month
Once a month, take two minutes to straighten the baskets and toss anything expired. It keeps the pantry from sliding back.