Tinned goods
Creative Commons License photo credit: Unhindered by Talent

Is your pantry bursting at the seams? Are your canned goods spawning? Time for a quick and dirty decluttering session! Remember, quick and dirty isn’t about getting it done perfectly, it’s about getting it done good enough for now. Here’s how I tackle the pantry when it gets unruly:

  1. Scan for items you can’t remember purchasing and toss or donate them. Not sure when that can of creamed corn came into your life? Then there’s a big, fat chance it’s out of code. Either way, it’s time for it to go. Check the date and toss it if the expiration date has passed. If not, toss it in a food drive bag. You’re clearly not interested, so pass it on to someone who needs the food.
  2. Seek and destroy container clutter. If you buy things in bulk, they’ll usually come in large boxes. By the time you’re halfway through the stash, the box is just taking up space. Empty the contents onto your shelves (if that makes more room) or a smaller container and chuck the Meta-Stuff.
  3. Stick like items together. Sometimes clutter isn’t clutter, it’s just disorganization. Put breakfast items together, snacks together, drinks together, and so on. Plus, this is a good way to figure out what you need and what you have too much of. (I have, like, eight cake mixes but no tubs of frosting…)
  4. Start eating! Okay, I’m not talking about stuffing yourself sick right this second, but there’s no point in beautifying your pantry if you’re not using the items you’ve already got. So start cooking with the things you’ve already got (that are now kind of in order) and you’ve found an automatic way to keep the clutter to a minimum in the future.

Woo-hoo! You’re done! If you’ve got any tips to add (or just a record-breaking out of code item), let it fly in the comments!

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