Spring is the perfect time to jumpstart some projects around the house. It’s also ideal for tackling some overdue cleaning and organizational tasks. The renewed energy we get from increased temperatures can be channelled and applied to giving your pantry a thorough inspection.
Not sure where to start on cleaning your pantry this spring? We got you covered.
Most organizational projects should begin by taking a step back to look at all of the things you’re currently storing in your space, and to think about all of the things that you’re not currently storing but would like to.
To give a thorough clean and to get the full picture of your inventory, take everything off of the shelves and organize it into groups. While this will require a bit of time to complete, it is a great tool for understanding all of the things that you’re buying and storing.
Specifically as it pertain to your pantry, this step is a great chance to check the expiration dates on all of the food items that is sitting on your shelves. Take notice of the items that you’re forced to toss out or the ones that are nearing their expiration, and save the mental note for your future grocery shopping.
After you’ve taken all of the items out of your pantry and have thrown out any old and expired products, it’s time to conduct an appraisal of how your current shelving/storage system is working in your pantry. Some questions to ask yourself include:
Depending on how you answered these questions, you might discover that you need to upgrade or rethink your current pantry storage strategy. If you did, it’s best to do that now instead of cleaning your existing system only to tear it all down afterwards.
If you do need to rethink your current pantry storage, find some inspiration with Hakraft!
If you decided that your current pantry storage system is sufficient, it’s time to give it a top-to-bottom cleaning. Scrub down all of the shelving and cubbies that are storing your pantry items. Make sure to get in the hard-to-reach crevices and corners. Pantries house a lot of food, and little crumbs can entice rodents and insects to find a way into your pantry. A deep clean will keep them out.
For seasonal dishes or cooking appliances that are seldom used, make sure those get a good wash as well as dust has no doubt accumulated on them over the winter.
When cleaning out your pantry, be mindful of the type of cleaner you’re using. Some commercial cleaners should be avoided when cleaning areas that will be housing foods you will be eating. You can also deploy natural cleaners like vinegar and water or lemon and baking soda to ensure that you’re sanitizing your pantry without potentially contaminating any food.
Once you’ve completed your spring pantry clean and are starting the process of restocking your shelves, be mindful of what you’re putting back on the shelves, as well as how you’re doing it. Try your best to create an organized and logical storage process so that you’ll be able to continue to keep your pantry clean and organized in the future.
By grouping common items together, and by not overloading particular areas, putting groceries away in the pantry down the road will be easier, and so to will retrieving items that you need.
Take advantage of spring fever this year and give your pantry a thorough clean by following the tips we highlighted above. If you’re ready to design a new pantry or simply need more shelving for your current one, we ready to lend a helping hand! At Harkraft, we specialize in top-of-the-line pantry organization products.
We sell and install door and wall racks for spices, bottles, and small jars, as well as premium wire pantry shelving. We also sell tiered shelf organizers and see-through wire baskets that will allow you stay organized as well as see what’s in your pantry without having to pull the items out or shuffle them around.
Check out all of our pantry products and services, and let us know how we can help!
