Operation: Pantry Clean Out

UPDATED 02/08/2025

Every year, I try to do a pantry clean out. This might not be something you think of doing regularly, but I think you should. Here’s why:

1. You’ll be able to see what you actually have in it.
2. Expired goods can be tossed.
3. It will become a work of organized art.
4. You’ll be able to expedite meal prep time.
5. It’s fun! Trust me!

Do I have your buy-in yet? If not, keep reading.

You might walk into your pantry and it might look messy or it might look organized. Mine was certainly a nightmare. While I try my best to keep like-foods together. Breakfast foods with other breakfast foods. Snacks together. Dinner items on a separate shelf. You get the idea. The setup works but there is no real sense of organization. Things are hiding behind others, stuff on the bottom goes used, and you don’t see any of the healthy options. So here’s what I do.

Everything comes off the shelf to start. I basically want to start with a clean slate. I want to see the space and what I have to work with. Then, I go everything one at a time. I cannot tell you how much I have to toss. 😳 After throwing everything out that is more than a few years old, I sit back. I need a breather and subsequently, I need a good plan.

How am I going to get all the items I am keeping back on the shelf in the pantry without becoming another mess? Two things: baskets and snack size bags. These are the easiest, most affordable tools you can use to get start organizing. And remember, you do not need to invest in expensive bins or baskets. Head to your local Dollar Store and see what they have available.

The baskets I have cost me less than $10 and since they came in two sizes, I use both. The taller, more square baskets I used for tossing things in. Stuff like granola bars and grab-and-go snacks. The shorter, longer baskets would be used for keeping things contained. Toppings for my yogurt and salad additions, like croutons.

The other tool I use is Ziploc bags. I take bigger bags of food and make them snack size. That way I’m not tempted to eat an entire bag of trail mix. Instead, I’ll only eat my proper portion. From pretzels to chips and even nuts, I portion everything out so I can just grab my snack and go about my day.

The end result – an undoubtedly clean, organized pantry that looked great. A sense of accomplishment and a wonderful sense of peace comes over you after doing this project. It’s great for a weekend makes you feel like your life is organized again. If you’ve read this far, you might be wondering if you can do this too. My friend, you definitely can! You just need some time, energy, and a will to make it better.

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Jenn Mullen holds degrees in Psychology and Business Management, as well as a certification in health and wellness coaching. She combines over a decade of corporate experience with more than five years of small business expertise, bringing a unique blend of skills and insight to her work. Beyond her expertise, she’s a high-energy, passionate individual with ADHD who thrives on staying organized, bringing laughter to every project, and finding joy in the work she loves.