How To Clean and Organize a Kitchen Pantry

Kitchen pantries may seem outdated, but they’ve become popular again lately. A pantry is a good spot to store your dry foods neatly, saving room in your kitchen cabinets. Check out our expert advice on cleaning a pantry to keep it tidy, your food fresh, and make cooking simpler.

Why it’s important to clean your pantry

Cleaning your pantry is important. You might not think it’s necessary, but cleaning it well every month or so is a smart move. It helps you keep track of what food you have and can help you waste less. Also, cleaning regularly is key to preventing pests like bugs and mice.

How to clean a pantry

Cleaning your pantry is really simple. Just follow these easy steps!

• Go through your pantry and throw away any food that’s gone bad.
• Give away any food you won’t eat.
• Take everything off the shelves and clean them with a general cleaner.
• Put liners, parchment paper, contact paper, or old wallpaper on the shelves.
• Put the food back on the shelves.
• Clean the pantry floor by vacuuming or mopping.

That’s all you need to do. Plus, for the best use of your pantry, make sure to keep everything organized as well as clean.

How to organize a kitchen pantry

Organizing your pantry is key to keeping it neat and making sure you use all your food. It’s frustrating to find an expensive item has gone bad or to realize you’ve bought too much of something you don’t need much of. With these expert tips, you’ll have your pantry sorted out quickly!

Put food where you use it most

Put the food you use often on easy-to-reach shelves. This makes it so you don’t have to keep moving other items to get what you need.

Store foods that are alike together

Place all your breakfast cereals on one shelf, and do the same for canned fruits and vegetables, various kinds of flour, snacks, spices, and any other similar items. This helps because even if you’re not sure where something specific is, you’ll at least know the right area to start looking.

Store open foods in clear containers

Store opened items in air-tight containers to keep them fresh. Using clear containers helps you see what’s inside and notice when you’re running low. This method also helps prevent bugs.

Install shelves on the door to increase storage space

Buy an affordable wire rack to hang on your pantry door for keeping condiments, spices, and small jars.

Put a basket with easy-to-grab snacks in it

If you have kids, you’re aware of the chaos they can cause in even the most organized pantry! Keep a basket or box of easy-to-grab snacks at their eye level to maintain order.

Place newer food items at the back

When restocking your pantry, place items with the furthest expiration dates at the back of the shelf. This ensures you’ll reach for the older food first when you’re in a rush.

Consider new ways to label your food

You’ve probably seen those perfect pantries on Pinterest or Instagram with labels on every container. But ask yourself, do you need labels to identify pasta if you can already see it? Consider using labels to mark expiration dates instead. You don’t need an expensive label maker; washi tape is a charming alternative and doesn’t leave sticky residue.

Think about how you plan to use your food

If you can’t fit a measuring cup into those nice mason jars, they’re not very helpful. Before spending a lot on pantry items, consider how you’ll use them to get to your food. Also, it’s okay to switch things up if they’re not working out.

How to arrange a tiny pantry

Even if you have just a little space for a pantry, it’s still a good idea to set one up. You may need to be more creative with how you store things, though. Here are some tips to help you out!

• Maximize your space by using storage extenders under shelves and on the back of the door.
• Choose stackable bins over large canisters to save space.
• Install pull-out shelves beneath your bottom drawer for extra storage.
• Lazy susans are perfect for organizing condiments and jars.
• Keep your canned goods neat with stackable can racks.

Feel free to customize your small pantry. Storage items made for closets, offices, and utility rooms can also work well in a pantry! Affordable rolling shelves, folder organizers, and shelf dividers can help keep your pantry tidy and organized.

How to arrange a pantry with deep shelves

If your pantry has deep shelves, you have a lot of storage space, but it’s easy for items to get lost in the back. Luckily, there are many storage ideas that can help keep everything within reach. Here are some expert tips for dealing with deep shelves.

• Place products on tiered stands to make them easier to see.
• Arrange items by height, with the tallest at the back.
• Can dispensers move your canned food to the front for easy access.
• Add pull-out shelves for easy access to items in the back.
• Store items in baskets or bins on your shelves.
• Create spaces between items so you can reach the back without moving the front items.

Having a lot of storage space is great, but it can cause your pantry to become cluttered and food to be overlooked. Using the tips provided, you can ensure your deep pantry stays orderly.

How to arrange a pantry with wire shelves

Wire shelves and racks are affordable and simple to set up, making them perfect for putting together a budget-friendly pantry. However, they can sometimes bend, which can cause instability and lead to food falling. Here’s how to manage wire shelves for a neat and stable pantry.

• Cut plexiglass to fit and lay it over the wire shelves to make them stable for holding items.
• Store items in baskets or bins rather than directly on the shelves.
• Buy under-shelf racks to add extra space between shelves.
• Keep heavier items at the bottom to ensure the shelves stay stable.

Wire shelves can be great for pantries, but they have their downsides. By planning how you’ll use your pantry, you can solve these problems with smart storage solutions.

How to clean a pantry after finding mice

Even if your pantry is clean and well-organized, you might still find pests like mice getting in. Mice can spread germs and cause a lot of damage. Here’s what to do to clean your pantry after mice have been in it.

• First, remove the mice and block their entry points.
• Put on gloves and a mask to avoid contact with or inhaling mouse droppings.
• Empty the pantry and throw away the food.
• Mix 1.5 cups of bleach with 1 gallon of water and spray everywhere.
• Use paper towels to pick up any mess, like chewed bits and droppings.
• Clean all surfaces again with the bleach mixture.
• Dry the walls and shelves with paper towels.
• Clean or discard your cleaning tools (mop, sponge, cloths, etc.).
• Finally, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.

Keep in mind, rodents often walk in their own urine. So, even if it seems like they didn’t touch something, like a spaghetti box, it’s not safe to clean it thoroughly. For items like sealed cans and jars, it’s up to you to decide. You can try to clean them with the bleach mix, or it might be safer to just get rid of them.

How to get rid of pantry moths

Pantry moths can come into your house in packages of dry foods such as flour and rice. Putting your food into containers can help you spot and keep these infestations under control. If you find moths or their larvae in your pantry, here’s how to handle it.

• Dispose of any infested food in the outdoor trash bin.
• Check other food items closely for any signs of infestation — if unsure, better to toss them.
• Also inspect cardboard boxes and cans for any larvae that might have moved.
• Clean everything with pure white vinegar.
• Change the shelf paper, and vacuum and wipe down the entire pantry.
• Place muslin bags filled with bay leaves, lavender, cedar, or mint in the pantry to prevent moths from coming back.

Pantry moths can be a nuisance but usually aren’t harmful. Still, if you find an infestation, it’s crucial to deal with it right away to prevent the moths from spreading through your dry foods.

How to eliminate bugs from a food pantry

Pantry moths aren’t the only pests that can find their way into your pantry. Gnats, flies, and other insects can also be an issue. But you can manage them using the steps mentioned earlier. To stop more bugs from entering your pantry, store your food in sealed containers and quickly clean up any crumbs or spills.