How to Clean up Your Pantry

Having food stored away is a great idea, as long as it's food you use. If food is too stale to eat, it's time to throw it out.

Steps

1
Clean one shelf at a time. Remove the contents of each shelf. Use a clear section of counter space or pull a kitchen table close.
2
Throw out anything you don't need. Use your judgment and remove any of the following:
- Foods that are spoiled or too old or stale to eat.
- Foods that are infested with insects.
- Foods that you won't, can't or don't know how to use.
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3
Remove items that don't belong in your pantry. If things besides food have slipped in, or if some shelves seem to be taken up by general storage, decide on new homes for these items.
4
Use a damp cloth to wipe crumbs, dust, dirt, and debris off the empty shelves. Allow the shelves to dry thoroughly. Take this opportunity to line the shelves if you wish.
5
Clean the containers as you return them to the shelves. If anything has leaked or gotten sticky or oily on the bottom, wipe them off or (if necessary) repackage it before returning it to the shelf.
6
Organize items as you put them back. If your shelves were a jumble of different foods, now is the time to designate shelves or parts of shelves for particular purposes. Put spices in one place, canned foods in another. If snacks or baking supplies are a part of your pantry, make separate spaces for those, too.
7
Enjoy your new pantry.

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