- Clear out the entire pantry to start fresh
- Toss expired food and donate unused items
- Clean shelves, corners, and surfaces thoroughly
- Organize food by type and use clear containers
- Follow FIFO to cut waste and save money
If you’ve opened your pantry looking to fill it up with freshly-made winter preserves or you’re planning to, did you make sure it’s clean beforehand? From expired cans, half-empty rice boxes, and unidentified bags of snacks or sweets, pantries can quickly turn into pest hideaways. Pantries are workhorses of the kitchen, keeping essentials close at hand and providing nourishment and comfort during the gloomy winter days.
If you skipped your pantry during the latest session of professional house cleaning in Austin, it’s important to correct that error before you start putting in the new supplies there. In today’s blog, we outline X crucial steps that will help your dependable residential cleaners eliminate dust and grime to shine up the food storage for your comfort foods.
How to keep the pantry clean?
You should always include your pantry in your seasonal kitchen reset, whether it’s mid-winter, spring, or post-summer cleaning. Think of it as an investment in less food waste, easier meal preparation, pest-proof kitchen, and way less stress. Here’s how you can achieve pantry perfection, or something close to it:
Step 1: Clear it out
To start the process, clear everything out. Yes, everything. Admittedly, this can turn into an ordeal if you’ve been avoiding it for quite some time, but there is no other way to start with a clean slate. It may look like a hurricane hit your kitchen, but it’s the only way to get a clear picture of what you have and need.
Step 2: Sort & purge
Ok, once you have everything all lined up, it’s time to play detective. Start off with the usual suspects, including: flour, whole-grains, nuts, spices, and herbs. Check expiration dates on the cans and product packaging, tossing everything stale or long past its prime. If you discover items that are still in date, but that you know you won’t be using any time soon, donate them to a local food bank.
Step 3: Clean the surfaces
Ok, now’s the time for your cleaners to work their magic and clean all surfaces. First up is dusting of the shelves, followed by wiping with lukewarm and soapy water, and concluded by thorough disinfection before leaving it to dry off. Once they’ve taken care of the shelving, your maids should vacuum the floors and hard-to-reach corners.
Step 4: Grouping
Clever pantry organization is all about grouping that makes things accessible and easy to find.
- Canned goods
- Dry baking ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder)
- Snacks (chips, bars, nuts)
- Breakfast items (cereal, oats, pancake mix)
- Pasta and grains
- Condiments and sauces
When everything has its place, you’ll cut down on overstuffing and duplicates, plus you’ll always know which items are running low and need a restock.
Step 5: Use clear storage containers
Speaking of organization, nothing makes a pantry more navigable than clear, airtight containers. They keep your foodstuffs fresher for longer and make it easier to see what’s inside and how much of it is left with just a glance. You can also label each container with the name and the date when you put it inside, so you can keep track of best-by dates.
Step 6: Embrace the “first in, first out” system
Here’s one trick used by all the respectable restaurant kitchens: first-in, first-out (FIFO). When you restock, place the newer items behind the older ones to ensure you’re using the products that were sitting on the shelf the longest. This will reduce food waste and save you money in the long run.
Step 7: Keep it maintenance-friendly
Once the whole job is done and everything is shiny and ready for meal prep, set up a maintenance plan and stick to it. This is as easy as instructing your maids to do a quick wipe and vacuum while they are doing their regular kitchen cleaning round. An occasional mini reset will prevent mess from piling up and keep everything in order until the next season comes.
Who offers reliable house cleaning in Austin, TX & beyond?
Years of experience? We have 50+. Professional tools? Check! Vetted, discreet, and insured personnel? No worries there. Flexibility & consistency? That’s our calling card. Stellar customer reviews? Certainly, and determined to keep them coming. No matter what type of cleaning service you need, Maids and Moore is the premium provider in your neighborhood.
Whether you’re interested in meticulous porch cleaning service, need help cleaning up before holiday celebrations, or you need professional help to deal with post-Thanksgiving mess, our team is at your service for all this and much more.
This month, we’re showering our customers with an attractive promo special: book deep cleaning and we’ll clean up your porch for FREE while we’re at it. Book your appointment, and you’re free to have fun in Mayfield Park while we sweep, dust, and clean. Contact us today!