Buzz
Photo: Getty ImagesWhen it comes to organizing your pantry, knowing what to remove is just as crucial as knowing how to tidy up. Think about it: It's far easier to devise a practical system for 20 items that you use regularly than to manage 50+ items that you only use on rare occasions (or, let’s be real—in the case of that outdated serving tray your neighbor gave you—never).
This is especially relevant in your pantry, which can quickly become overwhelming with an excess of groceries, appliances, cleaning supplies, and more. Before you begin organizing with shelves, baskets, and bins, it's wise to first declutter and make the most of the available space. Unsure where to begin? Here are some categories that could really use a cleanup in your pantry.
1. Out-of-Date Food
Pantries can often become like black holes, consuming cans of soup and bags of chips until they’re years past their expiration date or soggy. Treat organizing your pantry like a personal audit—nothing goes back on the shelf until you’ve checked its expiration date (or its usability if it’s already opened). You might be surprised by how much space you free up by tossing expired items, and you’ll also gain a clearer idea of what you need to add to your grocery list the next time you're out shopping.
2. Spices and Seasonings You Never Use
Spices are notorious for creating clutter and are often tough to manage. A good purge of your spice collection is a must for getting your pantry in order. Most dried spices lose their strength after about six months, so start by tossing anything that’s been around for much longer. Be ruthless—if there are spices or blends you never use, either throw them out or give them to a friend who will make better use of them.
3. Crumbs, Spills, and Leftover Food
Stick with us here: While not technically an item to toss from your pantry, this next step is just as crucial to achieving a clean and organized space. No matter how tidy you are, there are probably some stray food scraps and crumbs lurking in your pantry. Take the time to clean up spills, vacuum crumbs, and reclaim anything like spilled pasta from months ago. You’ll be amazed at how fresh and organized your pantry will feel after a simple cleanup.
4. Extra Bags and Totes
We fully support sustainable shopping and reducing waste, but this can sometimes lead to clutter in your pantry. If you’ve found yourself accumulating reusable totes or saving paper grocery bags for future use, now is the perfect time to downsize your collection. Keep just the essentials—six durable bags should be enough for most families—and come up with a system to store them. The excess can be recycled or passed along to friends who are also trying to cut down on single-use plastic waste.
5. Miscellaneous Junk
Pantries often become a catch-all for miscellaneous junk, and this issue only gets worse if you don’t have solid organization in place. When clearing out your pantry and making room for things you actually use, focusing on the ‘catch-all junk’ category is key.
This category will look different in every home—some people might find a mountain of old tech cables and takeout menus from a decade ago, while others might discover stained dish towels their partner insists will eventually be useful. Take everything out of the pantry, sort it, and decide what deserves a place in your space (ideally food or cooking-related items) and what needs to be discarded—or stored elsewhere.
6. Any Ineffective Organizing Systems
Not every organizational system is equally effective, especially in a space as chaotic as the pantry. In other words, just because something is already in place doesn’t mean it’s working for you—sometimes it might even make things worse (ever try to stack bottles of olive oil in a bin that's too small?). Take a step back and evaluate which bins, shelves, baskets, or risers are helping—or hindering—your pantry organization. As you assess, try matching each storage solution with the items it’s meant to hold, ensuring everything has a purpose and a place.
7. Old Appliances
If you’ve been collecting air fryers or testing out every smoothie blender on the market, your pantry might have turned into an appliance graveyard. These bulky countertop appliances can take up valuable pantry space, and if you’re not using them regularly, they may not be worth holding on to. Unsure about which appliances to keep? Spend a few weeks rotating through them, testing each for functionality and ease of use. Anything that doesn't work should be tossed immediately. Duplicate items or those you don’t truly love can be donated or sold—use the proceeds to upgrade to that Vitamix you’ve been eyeing.
