The Kitchen Pantry and The Clutter

Hi Everyone!

We previously discussed the clutter in your kitchen during “Get Organized Month” in January. We talked about the cabinets and drawers and how to get them organized. Now let’s walk over to your pantry and open the door – watch out! You might get hit by a falling box of “what on earth is in that box anyway?”

Starting at the top shelf, remove all the items and put them on your kitchen counter. You may need to use a step-ladder for this. If so, get someone to take the items from you and place them on the counter. Probably the items you have stored up there are things you only use occasionally. Check these items over to be sure that you want them all. If you have small items, along with larger items on that shelf, find a box, crate, or bin to put the small items into and label the box with the contents. It would be better if the holding item is clear so that you can see what is inside. Now return these to the top shelf. Again, ask someone for help with this if you are on a step-ladder. If you have found items on that shelf that you would like to use more, remove it so you can place it on a shelf that makes it easier for you to get it. You can now stop for the day, or continue on to the next shelf.

The items on the next shelf down can be corralled so those like items are all together. Let’s say it’s the shelf you put all the cereal boxes on, plus other items like flour, sugar, etc. Do you absolutely want all those items on that shelf? If yes, group them so that they are clearly visible, i.e. keep the cereal boxes to the left and the baking items to the right. If you have other items on this shelf that have nothing to do with cereal or baking, remove them and put them on your counter. Continue to the next shelf.

On this shelf you have lots of canned goods. The problem is, you haven’t a clue what you actually have. The easiest way to handle this is to take them all out, put them on your counter (if you have room, otherwise you’ll have to use the floor – oh no!), and start sorting. Put all your soup cans together, all the vegetables together, put the tomato products together, and so on. Put them back on the shelf as a group so you can see exactly what you have.

Let me give you some words of caution about the canned goods. Check the top of the cans for their expiration dates. This is very important with the tomato products. In helping people clear out their pantries, we have found canned goods that were five years old. A few months past their expiration dates is really not a big deal, but when you are talking years, it is. Even though the cans have improved and are now lined for your safety, the product can create gases and force the cans to explode. Or worse, become tainted and will make you ill. If the tops or bottoms of the cans are bulging, open them immediately (carefully), and throw out the contents. Always put new canned items behind the ones you already have. Never buy multiple quantities of canned goods unless you have a family to feed. In the beginning years of my working life, I worked for Libby Foods, and for Dial Amour Foods. It was through these companies that made me be aware of the shelf life of cans and other food products.

The next shelf might hold bottles of olive oil, vinegars, sauces, etc. It is best to keep the bottled items on a lower shelf in case someone bumps the shelves, or there is an earthquake or other disaster. In fact, putting all the bottles into a bin will be safer and also easier for you to group items. The expiration dates on these items are not as critical as they were for the canned items. But, I would still pay attention to them. You really do not want to use rancid olive oil for cooking or baking! It might be best to put opened bottles of oils in the refrigerator.

Other items that you might have in your pantry would be crackers, coffee, plastic containers for leftovers, and snacks. Coffee and tea items could go into another cupboard in the kitchen if you are using these items fairly often. Boxed items, like crackers, can be put on the shelf with the cereal, if you have room, otherwise try a shelf in the kitchen. The other items can go where you want to be able to reach them easily. Even the plastic containers can go into the kitchen, provided there is room.

The overall idea to making your pantry less cluttered and easily accessible is to group all like items together so that you can clearly see what you have, and what you need.

Questions? You know where to find me!

‘Til next time . . . Coach Sheila of clutter STOP® Sheila@clutterstop.com, www.clutterstop.com, 520-822-4036