Cleaning out the pantry is one of those essential household tasks that come around again every spring. Beyond surface cleaning, the key step is sorting through the foods to reorganize the pantry’s contents for better use and efficiency. Here are a few tips and tricks, and some of the basics of this task.
1-2-3 steps
1. Emptying
Remove everything from the shelves and check all expiration dates. Discard mouldy or rancid items, and if there’s anything that’s still good but unwanted, prioritize donating. Give non-expired but soon-to-expire products to a friend or family member. Be sure to check with local food banks with regard to donations.
2. Cleaning
Thoroughly dust each shelf before vacuuming. A soft, damp cloth is all you need to clean. A vinegar-based solution, made from equal parts water and vinegar, is very effective at removing even the most stubborn of stains.
3. Reorganizing
The goal is to eliminate clutter and free up shelf space. When the layout is optimized, it reduces the time spent searching for ingredients while cooking and prevents purchasing duplicates unnecessarily.
The Basics of Organization
Sort by Category
Group similar foods together, such as flours and cereal, rice and pasta, oils and condiments, granola bars and other snacks, etc.
First-In, First-Out Method
This method helps manage stock and reduce waste. It requires rotating your ingredients, that is, placing older items in front of newer ones to ensure they’re used first.
Foods with Limited Shelf Life
Make foods with shorter shelf lives, such as nuts and seeds (sunflower, sesame) or dried fruits, accessible. Keeping them visible and within reach prevents them from expiring or losing their quality before they can be consumed.
Choose Your Containers
Glass jars may be convenient, but they’re also fragile and bulky. Transparent, stackable and compact plastic containers help to save space and optimize storage. Both options will do the job, but it’s crucial to use airtight containers when it comes to long-term food preservation.
Sensitive Products
Oxygen, humidity and light can degrade a food’s quality. Softened cookies, hardened brown sugar, stale almonds and mouldy bread are common examples of food waste. This is why it’s important to use airtight, opaque containers like tinted glass, food-safe terracotta discs (for brown sugar), and to store them away from light.
