I love to organize! But that does not mean that I am a super organized person!!! Not at all! I would say I am average, at best!
My spice pantry is a great example of a very disorganized and costly mess! It had not been cleaned and cleared out in a couple of years.
So one afternoon I got motivated and tackled the mess, got it organized and under control... OH what a difference!
So one afternoon I got motivated and tackled the mess, got it organized and under control... OH what a difference!
Here is what it looked like before...
This is not a little embarrassing... this is a whole lot embarrassing! There was so much in this pantry that I did not even know what I had any more!!!!!
Here's how I cleaned and organized my pantry. I compiled my organizational skills into...
10 TIPS FOR A PERFECTLY ORGANIZED SPICE PANTRY!
Here's how I cleaned and organized my pantry. I compiled my organizational skills into...
10 TIPS FOR A PERFECTLY ORGANIZED SPICE PANTRY!
1. Take every single thing out of the pantry!
2. Throw all out-dated spices and herbs, baking soda, cornstarch, baking powder, etc away! Anything that has expired... THROW IT AWAY!
3. SCRUB down the pantry from top to bottom and put in new shelf paper.
2. Throw all out-dated spices and herbs, baking soda, cornstarch, baking powder, etc away! Anything that has expired... THROW IT AWAY!
3. SCRUB down the pantry from top to bottom and put in new shelf paper.
4. Put all spices on a counter so you can see what you have.
Take a good look at everything. Do you really need 5 pumpkin pie spices? Do you really need 1? Do you know what cream of tartar is used for? I actually use cream of tartar so for me it's a keeper! I did get rid of fennel seed though.
Take a good look at everything. Do you really need 5 pumpkin pie spices? Do you really need 1? Do you know what cream of tartar is used for? I actually use cream of tartar so for me it's a keeper! I did get rid of fennel seed though.
5. Consolidate multiple jars into larger jars.
Example: Put 3 partially used jars of Chicken Bullion into 1 mason jar.
Example: Put 3 partially used jars of Chicken Bullion into 1 mason jar.
It's much easier to have one bigger jar than 2 or 3 smaller jars kicking around!
6. Use a label maker and mark the contents of all jars that are not holding original content.
This looks soooo much neater too!
I love neat... and label makers! Don't you?
7. If there are still too many leftover spices and herbs (yes, guilty) gather them up in a big box and let family and friends go through them until you give all of them away.
Do not put the extra back in your pantry!!! THIS IS CLUTTER!
8. Your mantra during this process is... "BE RUTHLESS".
If you won't use it, don't keep it! It is clutter!
9. No whim, sale or bulk spice and herb buying.
It does not matter that there is a sale on Mexican paprika. If you have paprika in the pantry... pass it up! Unless you are starting your own spice rub company buy small quantities of spices and herbs.
If you can't stand tarragon but a recipe calls for it, don't buy it! Just don't use it!!! It's a waste of money!
The only exception I have with this rule is vanilla. I am a vanilla addict! I have beans and paste and liquid... store bought and homemade! I use it liberally! It's like my culinary safety blanket.
Vanilla and salt! But nothing else!
10. Follow the Boy Scout rule... leave the world a little better than you found it.
And that applies to spice pantries too! Be very intentional about everything you put away in the pantry and exactly where you put it! Keep things tidier than they were when you first opened the pantry door.
What a wonderful rule to live by!!!!
Now I can finally see ALL my spices and herbs... easily marked and all together! I won't be buying any duplicates or wasting any more money... Or taking up my time looking for the cinnamon in the spice pantry!
And the world of my spice pantry is a pretty nice place to visit!!!
How about you? How does the place you keep your spices look?
Use these 10 simple rules and get the world of your spices in shape too!
Remember to
Thank you Yvonne. Fabulous ideas here and much needed by moi.
ReplyDeleteSam
I put all my baking spices in a basket with vanilla, etc. so they would be easier to grab. I have so many project planned for the summer when school is out. I enjoy tasks like this because you can really appreciate what you accomplished every time you open your pantry.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous transformation! I need to do this with my refrigerator! Thanks for your tips.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one with a spice pantry that looked like that. Oh well, another project on the horizon! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I need to do! I usually do it in the fall before baking season arrives. My rule of thumb is if I haven't used it since the last clean out, it goes. That way any stale spices will be gone, leaving more room for the frequent flyers.
ReplyDeleteRemember to,save old spices. Sprinkle them on daylillies and hostas and deer won't eat the plants. Any herb works, but I wouldn't try cayenne pepper.
ReplyDeleteGail
Since I just moved into a new home (new to hubby and I), it came with a similar pantry and I am so thrilled with it. I never had one like it. I will definitely use this post as a reference. Thank you for sharing oh wise one :) -Bev
ReplyDeleteI would like a spice cupboard to organize. I just have a couple of little racks and it is not big enough. I love your idea though. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy life is infiniteley easier (well, for spice use, anyway) because I organize the spices and herbs alphabetically. No regard for whether it's an herb or a spice or for baking or cooking...just put them in like containers and the put them in alphabetical order. S.I.M.P.L.E.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a shallow cupbard though, so then what do you do for multiple rows?
Great tutorial!! #1 is always the hardest for me, whether it's the pantry or a closet or the laundry room...
ReplyDeletei seem to buy herbs on a as needed basis...I love the jars you used for your spices...You have the most organized kitchen!!! Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I also tend to store my spices in two separate sections. The "baking spices" and the "cooking spices." That helps me a lot when searching. I am not organized enough to alphabetize them...sigh.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I will keep you in my prayers this week as you deal with your arthritic back. I, too, have osteoarthritis in my back and I know how you feel. Good luck and God bless you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the inspiration and guidelines! Although, I love the labels and clear jars, I'm not sure that I am up for that task. But I do need to consolidate and throw out expired stuff.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, we packed up my MIL's house. I found a bottle of cinnamon with a $.49 price sticker. Yes, a price sticker - no bar code, no expiration date . . . I wonder just how old that cinnamon was! :) Thanks for sharing your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI keep my baking and cooking spices separate in alphabetical order. My entire kitchen was in alphabetical order, divided by colors and fruit or vegetable, until my husband retired and started putting away groceries. Bless his heart. Now I have to call him whenever I need something. Makes him feel needed.
ReplyDeleteI use a stacking rack in my cabinet and only have one of each spice or herb that I use and also what helps me is to line them up alphabetically. Yes, I'm a little bit OCD. LOL! Don't feel embarrassed about the before pic, as we all have areas that could stand organizing.
ReplyDeleteYou should have called me! I love to organize cupboards, too!
ReplyDeleteThe pantry looks very nice to use when you cook/bake. It is a workhorse part of the room and it is GRRREAT to have it organized. Kudo's to you!
ReplyDelete~Yvonne~
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, looks great !! I wonder what is the life line of spices ?? I need to get me a label maker, what brand do you use ??Take care of YOU
Paula
IN
I love love love my label maker. Basic hand model from Brother!
DeleteI am so huge on organization, I love seeing your post. It is so helpful. I always say that what my cupboards look like inside is what my mind must look like. Crazy a little OCD.
ReplyDeleteHave a Loverly day! Jo from Anne's Attic - Design http://fulcolbaxia.wordpress.com
Great ideas. I have my spices in alphabetical order in a lazy Susan (the whole cupboard is dedicated for spices and herbs). Also put like items in baskets, baking powder, baking soda etc. I love it as it is so easy to find everything. I still need to remind my adult children to put everything back in order. I think that I need to get a label maker.
ReplyDeleteI'm super organized or super anal....not sure which or maybe both:):) My husband took the doors off two cupboards that sit above our over-the-range microwave. He built a simple box (32" x 12") with 2 shelves. We painted the "box" black (we have khaki colored painted cupboards with black accent pieces in our kitchen). I then got #27 silver spice tins and lined them up alphabetically, after I had labeled them all. I love them and really don't use more than 27 spices. LOVE the look:):)
ReplyDeleteLove your pantry Yvonne! Looks amazing,can you come over and organize mine :-) ,great tips!
ReplyDeleteI have all my spices in the corner cabinet in my kitchen. They are on 3 shelves that I outfitted with 16 in. round turntables from BBand B. They look like they were MADE for the shelves!!! Oh, and they are all in aplhabetical order:):) Makes finding anything SO much easier!!! Then all my baking stuff is in the corner Cabinet, below the spice cabinet. XOXO
ReplyDelete