Home Organizing Challenge Week 3: The Pantry

January 18, 2015

 

14 Week Organizing Challenge

 

The countdown continues into week 3 of A Bowl Full of Lemons 14 Week Organizing Challenge.  Last week, we took a break from the kitchen to tidy up our Laundry Rooms.  Today we are back in the kitchen to finish up the pantry (as well as the kitchen, if it’s not finished yet).  If you don’t have a pantry,  you can still participate by organizing your food cabinets.  Everyone has those!

If this is your first time participating in the challenge, welcome! Each week, you will receive a new challenge & you will have 7 days to complete it. If you are not subscribed to my blog & want reminders for the weekly challenges, you can sign up here. The first thing you need to do is print out your 14 Week Schedule. You can hang it on your fridge and check it off as you go. Print it out here.

 

Home Organization Challenge Week 3 The Pantry via ABFOL

 

WEEK #3 TASK – The Pantry:

This week should be a bit easier than the previous two weeks (hopefully).  We are cleaning out and organizing the pantry!  I split up the kitchen into 2 parts because I think the pantry is a separate job itself!  I didn’t want you to get overwhelmed from being in the kitchen for two weeks straight.  Follow the steps below, to get your pantry organized!

 

WEEK #3 CHECKLIST: (Print out the checklist HERE)

1.  PLAN – Before starting, make sure you have a good supply of boxes, bins & food containers. You will need them.  If you do not have any, simply organize your pantry into “categories”.
2.  SET UP – If you are using them, line up your empty bins, baskets & containers onto the kitchen table. If you don’t have any, you can still separate your food into ‘categories’ on the table.
3. PURGE & ORGANIZE – Take everything out of your pantry.  Check the expiration date and throw out expired or no longer used items.  Place “like” items in the baskets on the table. Organizing your food into categories (bins) will help keep your pantry looking nice and neat.  (Categories to consider: School, Breakfast, Pasta, Baking, Sauce, Bread, Snacks, Sides, etc.)  You can also empty bags & boxes into OXO containers or mason jars for a more uniform look.  If the unused food isn’t expired, you can donate it to a local food pantry.
4. CLEAN –  Once you are finished organizing everything into categories, you can wipe out your pantry, then sweep & mop the floor.  You want it all nice & clean before you put everything away.
8.  PUT AWAY – Place all of your neatly organized bins, boxes, and containers back into your pantry.
9. LABEL – Label each bin & container with a labeler or hang a tag on the baskets.
*This is only a guide to help get you started. Customize your pantry to fit the needs of your family.

 

Organizing Inspiration

 

Here are several blog posts that will inspire you to get your pantry organized.

1. Pantry Organization 2014

2.  Pantry Organization 2012

3.  An Organized Baking Pantry

4.  Menu Planning Door

5.  Snack Organization

 

HOW TO SHARE:

Share your progress on Instagram using the hash tag #abfolorganizechallenge, blog about the weekly challenges – sharing your before and after pictures and/or share over at my Home Organization 101 group here. Hold yourself accountable and finish all 14 challenges!

 

NEW TO THE CHALLENGE?

If you are just joining us, visit the challenge details page here, to learn what it’s all about.

 

CHALLENGES:

Week 1: The Kitchen

Week 2:  The Laundry Room

 

HAPPY ORGANIZING!

I’ll see you back next week for another organizing challenge.

 

Tags: ,
14 Week Challenge, 2015 Home Organization 101, Blog, January 2015, Kitchen, Organize Posted in 13 comments

13 comments on “Home Organizing Challenge Week 3: The Pantry”

  1. Maureen says:
    January 18, 2015 at 9:00 am

    What containers are using to stack canned goods? Those would be a good use of space in my limited pantry. Thanks!

  2. Nancy says:
    January 18, 2015 at 9:11 am

    I can see the Challeng emails fine, but when I go to the link, I have trouble viewing it. I can see the comments, and the ads, but not content. Anyone else having this issue?

    Thanks!

    • Rachel says:
      January 19, 2015 at 4:21 pm

      If you’re using an outdated version of IE, you may experience problems like this. Try a different browser and see if that works.

  3. Bonnie Dewkett says:
    January 18, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    I’m a professional organizer, but I feel like in my own pantry I can’t see the forest through the trees. I have two small sets of shelves that serve as my pantry. They are book shelves and I could use some inspiration. Right now they are overstocked, but I’m not sure what to cut back on….I have canned goods, bags of items like quinoa and of course, seasonings. I am wondering if using plastic containers for things (instead of their original packaging) would save space or make it even tighter.

  4. Christina Barber says:
    January 18, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    Toni, where did you get your containers for your canned food? They are perfect. I really need these! Thanks!

  5. Josilynn says:
    January 18, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    Really like that we have a week to complete tasks. The 30 tasks in 30 days I can never keep up. My question is… What are those bins you have your cans in, I have been trying to find something for cans and those look perfect.

  6. Sylvia says:
    January 19, 2015 at 10:06 pm

    I am having difficulties printing off the checklist for this week. I have had no trouble with the others. Help!

  7. Mary Cordell says:
    January 20, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Hi. I cannot find the containers for canned goods. Where did you get those?

  8. Paula says:
    March 6, 2015 at 9:27 am

    Love all the ideas! My biggest struggle is with “last in first out”. Any ideas on how to handle that with the containers? the cans? the baskets?











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