Pantry Spring Cleaning & Organization

                

Spring is near and this conjures up a feeling or a desire to refresh and renew.  For most of us, that means cleaning and organizing.  Today I cleaned out my pantry.  I do this at least once a month.  My pantry to me, and I think to many other people, can be overwhelming.  Where do you put everything?
I came up with a system that works for me and maybe you too! 
I have my pantry in zones, much like the way I decorate.  Zones make everything easier!
So I came up with a basket system for the two lower shelves and organization by like items and frequency of use, for the other shelves. 

• Everyday items close at hand and at eye level or my children's eye level.  Depending on the age of your children this can be a nice tool. This is very convenient when my boys ask if they can have a particular snack and they can reach it…if Mom agrees!  
• A basket for chips, pretzels, snack bars etc. This way those bulky boxes can be eliminated and those pesky bags seem organized after they are opened.  I hate clutter and clutter to the eye is just as bad. 
• Dried fruit and nuts usually come in smaller packaging. Therefore, they fit in a smaller basket. 
• A breakfast basket, that holds cereal, oatmeal, breakfast drink mixes, breakfast bars or supplements for smoothies. 

Then, the pasta, rice and other dinner type options, are organized on the shelf above the baskets. They are organized in like groups for an easy grab at the dinner hour.
The top shelf houses items I use less often. In my case, these items are baking items such as; flour, sugar, oil & cookie cutters.  In the pictures I have posted of my pantry, you will notice I have labels on the cookie cutters, flour and sugar containers.

~You can make your own labels in a Word type document and print them out on printable labels or, like I did, paste or tape on. This is a great opportunity to personalize your pantry, (or any other item you would like labeled), with scrapbook paper or keep it simple and mono-chromatic.
~The containers for the flour and sugar are from Wal-Mart, they were very inexpensive and seal all your sugar and flour.
~The plastic containers are from Wal-Mart and The Container Store. I know what your thinking, The Container Store?  Some things are a tad pricier, but the clear plastic containers have great lids that stay closed and are actually very reasonable. They come in many sizes. They are usually displayed close to the entrance of the store.
 
The canned items and spice storage side of my pantry, is organized in the same fashion.
                 

Common everyday items such as canned goods and spices are all on the bottom two shelves. The items that are less commonly used, are on the top shelves.
The rest of the pantry, has every square inch  utilized if possible. 

• A wooden box for take-out menus that I found at Ross for around $10.  This is a great way to keep those menus close and organized. 
• Recycling instructions, (ie. items that can be recycled), are listed and framed above the trash receptacle.  This is so visitors and little boys, know what is recyclable.
• A decorative hook for aprons.
• A cork board, between the can shelves, houses emergency contact information for sitters and the monthly school lunch menu.
• Under the can shelves, I have a place to hang the boy’s lunch boxes off the ground.

You may also notice, tucked to the right of the trash receptacle…
A tower of paper towels. I love this!
I can shop at Costco and get the deals and not have paper towels in my garage or elsewhere, other than the kitchen, where I use them most.
*My favorite pantry tip…

• A chalkboard that I made from a cabinet door.  I took the hinges off of the cabinet. I painted the center panel with chalkboard paint.

~You can find the chalkboard paint at any hardware store in many colors.  You could also paint on magnetic paint and then paint chalkboard paint over it.  The message board will then work for magnets and chalk.
I can quickly make a list of items needed as they run out.  This saves me time in making a shopping list.  No guessing or struggles to remember what is needed for those trips to the grocery store.
I hope this helps and inspires you!  Organizing things we use everyday can save us time and money.  If you can clearly see what you have and don't have, then there are no duplicates and nothing wasted.
~ Happy Organizing!
This is part of Get Your Craft on Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog.