Conquering the Pantry: 3 (Actually Doable) Tips for Busy Moms

Ever feel like your pantry is a battleground? The pantry is one of those places can go from clean and organized to absolute chaos in what feels like no time at all. It’s a place where forgotten snacks go to die and rogue empty Cheerios boxes seem to multiply. Especially once your kids are old enough to get their old food… But fear not, I’ve tackled my own pantry woes and today I’m going to share my secrets. Here are 3 simple tips to wrangle the pantry monster and create a system that works for your busy life (no Pinterest-perfect pressure here).

Tip #1: Declutter Regularly – Start with a clean slate–er… pantry.

First things first: we gotta banish the expired spices and lonely cans of beans. Think of it as a therapeutic deep clean for your pantry, removing anything old or that isn’t getting used or eaten. Grab a garbage bag and become a decluttering ninja. My number one tip for decluttering any space is to completely empty it out first, and then sort, and discard anything past its prime or anything you just don’t use anymore. A clean slate is a beautiful thing, and it makes organizing so much easier.

I do a quarterly major pantry clean out and then a quick one every two weeks when I do my meal planning. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to declutter any space, (but especially the pantry) when you do it regularly.

**Pro-tip: while the pantry is empty, give it a good scrub. Wipe down all the shelves, sweep and mop the floor, vacuum any dust-bunnies… you know we all have them.

Tip #2: Categorize by Group – Keep Like with Like

Now for the fun part: creating order from the chaos! Channel your inner organizer and categorize your pantry like a pro. Group similar items together: canned goods with canned goods, baking supplies in their own corner, and breakfast essentials and snacks front and center. Think of it like a mini grocery store, but way more manageable (and hopefully less likely to result in an impulse cookie purchase…).

There’s no need to go nuts with the label maker, (although if you want to, be my guest), you just need to have a clear, decided place for everything in your pantry. If you’ve struggled to train your kids to keep the pantry clean, nothing will help them more than clearly understanding what and where everything belongs. It make take a little time and repetition but I promise they will learn to put things back where they belong, you’re job is to make sure there’s a place for everything and that everyone understands where that is.

Tip #3: Utilize Bins and Containers.

Bins and containers are the secret weapon in every mom’s organizational arsenal. They corral those loose bags of chips and random boxes, preventing them from staging a coup on your pantry shelves. No fancy containers needed! Most of mine are inexpensive baskets I’ve sourced from TJMaxx/Homegoods. The goal is to create some barriers and keep things from becoming a jumbled mess.

For dry goods, like flour and sugar I highly recommend using Anchor Hocking jars as they are extremely affordable (a 2-gallon Anchor Hocking jar is under $15 at Walmart) and very durable. I’ve used mine daily for over a decade. Anchor Hocking cracker jars are great for snacks and cookies. For things like rice and beans, try grabbing large lock-lid jars to contain them. They’ll keep them fresh better than the bags they come in, and you’ll have less spills, as they’re much easier to pour out of. Like the Anchor Hocking jars, they’re also very affordable and durable, and look pretty on the shelves.

Bonus tip: keep a pantry inventory

I share this tip in my Meal Planning Guide, but it works great for maintaining pantry organization as well. You’re less likely to have food go bad, or unintentionally buy duplicates if you know what’s in your pantry. It also makes it easier to incorporate the food you already have into your meal plan, because you know what’s in there. That means less food waste and a lower grocery bill. I think we could all use that right about now since the cost of eggs is up 30% from a 2 years ago, yikes…

If you’d like my free pantry inventory printable click here.

There you have it, mamas! With a little decluttering, categorizing, and container magic, your pantry can be a source of meal-time inspiration, not frustration. Now go forth and conquer the chaos – one organized shelf at a time!