Chaos Control: Pantry Challenge

unaveragejane · November 2014

This week's challenge will involve the pantry. I am by no means a professional organizer, so I have gleaned a sort of to-do list from several blogs and articles.

Take a "before" picture. Even if you don't want to post it, isn't it fun to compare your results when you're finished?
If you have space for baskets or bins, now is the time to measure and shop. Try to plan how much shelf space you want to dedicate to specific groups of items such as canned goods, baking items, dry goods/pasta/rice/beans, breakfast items, snack foods, etc.
Clear off a table or counter top. Gather a trash bag and recycling can. ** Tip: These bags can get heavy in a hurry if you haven't cleaned out in a while, so be careful how much you load them down.**
Choose one shelf to tackle at a time. If you're like me, one of the small humans is going to have a need before you can get more than 10 minutes into this task, and you don't want them to have free reign to tote around heavy cans of Spam or glass pickle jars.
Throw out/recycle anything expired. *Some items can last longer than the "sell by" date, but check online if you're curious. Don't let a 5-years-out-of-date can of evaporated milk take up valuable shelf space.
Group the items that need to go back in together.
Wipe down your shelves and add shelf paper if you want it. I used to not bother with replacing shelf paper, but I figure a pretty pantry stays organized longer, right?
Start loading things back in. (I use post-its as temporary labels on baskets until I see if everything fits where I had planned.)
Don't forget to take the "after" pic!

L is no longer amused with my attempts at typing this one-handed. Please share any other tips you have! I'll be back to shame you for messy cabinets provide encouragement later.;;)

Unknown · November 2014

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sarenu1 · November 2014

theultimatesak said:

Is pantry considered the same as my kitchen cupboards because I have both. And both need to be cleaned out...

I just have several cabinets that I use.

I wish I had a pantry...

stoneycakes · November 2014

theultimatesak said:

Is pantry considered the same as my kitchen cupboards because I have both. And both need to be cleaned out...

I would say just the cabinets you use to store food. I might end up doing more because I'm considering switching my pots and pans with my food storage.

tjkdlhb · November 2014

I love this idea. My pantry is such a mess.

freezorburn · November 2014

DS's Pack n Play has become our pantry overflow -- especially for crap like shopping bags and paper towels (because I'm still not done making my unpaper towels -- aargh!). So I think I'm going to concentrate on making that whole eyesore disappear this week, so that I have a place to put his water table.

stoneycakes · November 2014

Who's going to post their "before" picture first? It better be messy because if mine's messier, I won't want to show you guys.

stoneycakes · November 2014

LLOL. This just came up on my fb feed. How timely.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-broadbent/what-normal-looks-like_b_6124824.html

sarenu1 · November 2014

stoneycakes said:

Who's going to post their "before" picture first? It better be messy because if mine's messier, I won't want to show you guys.

I will later tonight. Mine are bad, but not as bad as they sometimes get. My husband is not going to be happy when he goes to find something that has been moved.

How do you actually organize canned goods? I know a lot of people here don't used canned goods. I just can't seem to get away from things like this.

TJ1979 · November 2014

One of my tips: We put a rubbermaid bin on the floor of the pantry and put snacks E is allowed to have in that bin. That way if she wants to get a snack, she knows where to get it from. (She still has to ask us for it, but then she can go get it herself.) Since it's in a bin, it's not on the floor, it is easy to pick up and move when we sweep out the pantry, and it keeps her snacks contained in a smallish area.
Also, don't forget vertical space! We have little shelves that go inside the shelves, so you can have 2 layers of cans. Like this, but of course you can get much fancier ones.
https://www.amazon.com/Grayline-40710-Jumbo-Kitchen-Helper/dp/B000LNVXIY/ref=pd_sim_hg_17?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZQ66KDNHPTRJXCRNKA8

stoneycakes · November 2014

sarenu1 said:

stoneycakes said:

Who's going to post their "before" picture first? It better be messy because if mine's messier, I won't want to show you guys.

I will later tonight. Mine are bad, but not as bad as they sometimes get. My husband is not going to be happy when he goes to find something that has been moved.

How do you actually organize canned goods? I know a lot of people here don't used canned goods. I just can't seem to get away from things like this.

If I had a lot of canned goods, I'd probably do it alphabetically. I rarely store anything canned other than tomatoes, though.

sarenu1 · November 2014

TJ1979 said:

One of my tips: We put a rubbermaid bin on the floor of the pantry and put snacks E is allowed to have in that bin. That way if she wants to get a snack, she knows where to get it from. (She still has to ask us for it, but then she can go get it herself.) Since it's in a bin, it's not on the floor, it is easy to pick up and move when we sweep out the pantry, and it keeps her snacks contained in a smallish area.
Also, don't forget vertical space! We have little shelves that go inside the shelves, so you can have 2 layers of cans. Like this, but of course you can get much fancier ones.
https://www.amazon.com/Grayline-40710-Jumbo-Kitchen-Helper/dp/B000LNVXIY/ref=pd_sim_hg_17?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZQ66KDNHPTRJXCRNKA8

We save some of the boxes from Sam's Club to store granola bars and fruit snacks.

We have two large drawers that I thing were used for bread or flour and sugar (they are metal lined). I can put a large vertical box in them to divide up the storage. This also allows my daughter to grab a snack and come get us to open it.

Into+the+Kitty · November 2014

I don't use cans except for tomatoes pretty much, but someone on an episode of Extreme Coupons or whatever had a bunch of these for their stockpile: https://www.amazon.com/DecoBros-Supreme-Stackable-Organizer-Chrome/dp/B00DTONATC/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_z

When you remove the first (oldest) the other cans roll forward to replace it. I remember thinking it looked really cool and I was considering getting one for out in the garage where we keep our ICE food.

sarenu1 · November 2014

I'm so jealous of everyone and their excess storage for food.

I think I need to revisit my kitchen cabinets and start storing things down stairs that I don't regularly use.

I have things scattered around my cupboards right now. And it's really unorganized.

The good thing is I can go through and get rid of a lot of toddler cups and infant items now that C is going to be dropping bottles soon (crossing fingers).

bumpuser9353653 · November 2014

I'll post my "before" pic. I actually took a picture of the food pantry yesterday. Hubs will occasionally go through and organize but I need a step stool to reach the top shelf (and the back of the cereal shelf) so I rarely organize it.

TJ1979 · November 2014

MK we keep E's snack bin, sodas (for the nanny and grandparents), potatoes and onions in mesh drawer thingies, vinegar, trash bags, etc.

Kelly11235 · November 2014

sarenu1 said:
How do you actually organize canned goods? I know a lot of people here don't used canned goods. I just can't seem to get away from things like this.

My suggestion is to use reusable grocery bags for storing like items while you're clearing and reorganizing the cupboard.

For canned goods, we have a can rotation unit: https://www.thrivelife.com/all-products/frs-food-rotation-systems/the-cansolidator-series/cansolidator-pantry-plus.html

Actually, we have two of them.

The canned goods stay in the basement with the extra stored food (dry pasta, cookies, jars of pasta sauce). The "upstairs cupboard" in the kitchen is for opened products, and stuff we'll be using in the next week or so.

Doing this challenge the week before Thanksgiving is just evil.

Kelly11235 · November 2014

Chickypoo2468 said:

What does everyone keep on the pantry floor? That is where I have cans and extra unopened items like coffee or condiments. I feel like moving the cans to the lazy Susan might make it easier, but then what do I move?

Cans and bottles of beverages, also our big container of rice. It holds 10 pounds of rice and it's too heavy for the shelves.

Kelly11235 · November 2014

Given that it's already Wednedsay, when are we supposed to have this weekly challenge completed?

unaveragejane · November 2014

Kelly11235 said:
Given that it's already Wednedsay, when are we supposed to have this weekly challenge completed?

That's totally up to you. I figure I'll try to post a challenge every Wednesday. Next week will probably be a lighter challenge (like doing sock drawers or something) since it's a holiday week.

PB&J714 · November 2014

Any ideas on how to convert wire shelves to flat shelves on the cheap? I HATE the wire shelves in our pantry, because when I set something down in there and it doesn't line up perfectly, it falls over. It's so irritating.

I thought about sticky floor tiles but don't like the idea of dust and stuff sticking to the underside of them.

Kelly11235 · November 2014

Here's the before. It's not that bad, but it could be better.

Too many messy things within the reach of the toddler.

Top shelf is toddler snacks, and open bags of potato chips or cheesy poofs.

Second shelf is more toddler food plus snacks, canned beans and also condiments.

Third shelf is more snacks (this is why we're fat?), and peanut butter.

Fourth shelf cooking stuff like bread crumbs, cooking spray and oil.

Bottom shelf is baking stuff, flour mostly.

On the floor is our cans of drinks, a big container of rice, and our chaos maker/master of disaster (in the orange fleece).

stoneycakes · November 2014

PB&J714 said:

Any ideas on how to convert wire shelves to flat shelves on the cheap? I HATE the wire shelves in our pantry, because when I set something down in there and it doesn't line up perfectly, it falls over. It's so irritating.

I thought about sticky floor tiles but don't like the idea of dust and stuff sticking to the underside of them.

Are you handy? If you can use a drill, you can install brackets for wooden shelves and then have the shelves cut at one of the big box hardware stores. Not sure what you're looking to spend, but it wouldn't be overly expensive.

bumpuser5078523 · November 2014

The two cupboards in my kitchen aren't too bad. I can't reach the top shelves, so they really aren't used much. I could organize it better, but it's not bad.

The "pantry" is a disaster. It'd a catch all and has a few shelves for food and household items. I really need to declutter it and it would look much better.

Sorry for the wonky pictures. My phone is dumb.

bumpuser9353653 · November 2014

PB&J714 said:
Any ideas on how to convert wire shelves to flat shelves on the cheap? I HATE the wire shelves in our pantry, because when I set something down in there and it doesn't line up perfectly, it falls over. It's so irritating.

I thought about sticky floor tiles but don't like the idea of dust and stuff sticking to the underside of them.

Can you just lay the floor tiles on the shelves without taking the backing off? Or just get some cheap plywood and cut to size.

PB&J714 · November 2014

stoneycakes said:

PB&J714 said:

Any ideas on how to convert wire shelves to flat shelves on the cheap? I HATE the wire shelves in our pantry, because when I set something down in there and it doesn't line up perfectly, it falls over. It's so irritating.

I thought about sticky floor tiles but don't like the idea of dust and stuff sticking to the underside of them.

Are you handy? If you can use a drill, you can install brackets for wooden shelves and then have the shelves cut at one of the big box hardware stores. Not sure what you're looking to spend, but it wouldn't be overly expensive.

DH is super handy! He's built a lot of our furniture, so I'm sure that would be an easy project for him. Now the wheels are turning...

PB&J714 · November 2014

rugbymama said:

Any ideas on how to convert wire shelves to flat shelves on the cheap? I HATE the wire shelves in our pantry, because when I set something down in there and it doesn't line up perfectly, it falls over. It's so irritating.

I thought about sticky floor tiles but don't like the idea of dust and stuff sticking to the underside of them.
Can you just lay the floor tiles on the shelves without taking the backing off? Or just get some cheap plywood and cut to size.

I probably could, I would just worry about them shifting. Wouldn't hurt to try, though.

sarenu1 · November 2014

PB&J714 said:

rugbymama said:

Any ideas on how to convert wire shelves to flat shelves on the cheap? I HATE the wire shelves in our pantry, because when I set something down in there and it doesn't line up perfectly, it falls over. It's so irritating.

I thought about sticky floor tiles but don't like the idea of dust and stuff sticking to the underside of them.
Can you just lay the floor tiles on the shelves without taking the backing off? Or just get some cheap plywood and cut to size.

I probably could, I would just worry about them shifting. Wouldn't hurt to try, though.

Wouldn't plywood absorb liquids if something spilled? Not only that but it would be difficult to clean up.

Kelly11235 · November 2014

We used cardboard on our wire shelves.

Now we've gotten a bit fancier and used plastic shelf liner.

The cardboard actually worked better.

nanabanana06 · November 2014

Oh I like this! I think I'll take a pic tonight. I need to purge the junk anyways.

PB&J714 · November 2014

OMG I don't know how I never knew those existed! Thank you @ovenrack!

unaveragejane · November 2014

I used signs leftover from a local charity walk. They're corrugated, so they are a bit stiffer than plain poster board, and they're kind of plasticky so they wipe down easier than cardboard.

unaveragejane · November 2014

@ovenrack I'm kind of in love with your color scheme!

sarenu1 · November 2014

unaveragejane said:

@ovenrack I'm kind of in love with your color scheme!

And the big can of marshmallow fluff. That can never be allowed in my house, only because I would eat half and my husband would eat the other half. And then he would blame me for not fitting into his dress pants.

nanabanana06 · November 2014

If it'll make you feel better I'll post a pic of mine when I get home and you'll feel much better, and judge my SO for his love of crap food and costco sized things of tomato sauce.

sarenu1 · November 2014

nanabanana06 said:

If it'll make you feel better I'll post a pic of mine when I get home and you'll feel much better, and judge my SO for his love of crap food and costco sized things of tomato sauce.

I'm in the same boat. Except mine is spread out and hidden in several cabinets. I only have one centralized "pantry cabinet".

Unknown · November 2014

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Unknown · November 2014

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stoneycakes · November 2014

SAK, yours is totally gonna be the best when you're done with it! Jealous!

Unknown · November 2014

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Unknown · November 2014

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