Organizing my pantry

I decided that my pantry needed a good work through. This is how I did it, and some tips to follow if some one wants an idea of where to start. I use glass jars for my pantry, they are not the smartest or the most practical. I've chosen these jars since I like the way they look. This isn't meant as a how to list for others, more of a list of tips that has worked for me... 

• Jars
• Keep all foods from opened packages in sealed jars
• I chose jars that won't be discontinued, and aren't too expensive
• If I want to but more of the same kind
• Different sized jars
• All the content from one package should fit in one jar
• Sometimes more then one package

• Labels
• Don't tape labels on the jar
• Remove tape residue with nail-polish remover
• Label all the jars
• Make sure the labels can be removed, and switched
• Laminated labels
• They will last longer
• Works with whiteboard pens

• Where to place everything?
• Pick a cupboard close to where you will use the items stored
• Organize shelves according to size of the jars
• Jars used often should be more accessible
• Items used together should be close to each other
• Keep countertops as empty as possible
• Only store things out if they are used at least once a day

Jars

I like emptying all packages and storing my food in clear jars because that way I can see how much is left, if something is wrong with the content. And all the jars are completely sealed which makes things last longer, and feels more hygienic to me. I wash the jar every time before I refill it. The only packages that I keep are the once I haven't opened, or containers that can be completely sealed on their own like spices jars. I would like to get matching jars for all my spices too, but I haven't prioritized it since they do seal as is, and I try to space out my purchases over time.

When I started buying jars for the kitchen, I made sure to buy from a store and brand that I knew wouldn't be discontinued. I could keep getting matching jars over time. I really like when things are matching - it might not be as important for others. I also made sure to pick jars that are a bit on the cheaper side. Even if I don't buy many at once it will pile up and be a bigger cost in the end. Like now I feel I might need a few more of the smallest size - and a few years after buying the others I can still get the same kind. 

I have jars in 4 different sizes. I decide on what goes in which jar based on how big the original package is and how much we use of the product. For example, my daughter’s breakfast granola goes in the largest jar, but I can fit almost three boxes. The brand of sunflower seeds I buy needs to go in in the biggest jar to fit a whole bag. The really tiny jar is used for baking soda, baking powder or spice mixes. I have a few jars of each size empty,if I buy something I don't usually have at home.

Labels

When I made the labels this time, I made sure that I could switch labels easily if I switch the content of the jars. For example, we eat a lot of nuts, but we might not have all kinds at home at the same time so the nuts can share jars, I just wash the jar and switch the labels. 

Before this I had my labels taped on to the jar. That did not work. I couldn't wash the jars without getting the labels wet - even if I tried to cover the label completely with tape. When I wanted to switch labels, it was very difficult to get all of the residue of the tape of the jar. I recently figured out to use nail-polish remover to get it of, even with that its way too much work.

Use nail-polish remover to get tape residue of!

I’ve laminated all my new labels so they are (almost) water proof, and I hang them ona piece of twine so I can take them of easy. I made a few extra blank labels, and since they are laminated, I can write on the label with a whiteboard pen.

Where to place everything?

I have a pretty small kitchen so I have made sure to plan where I put things. I only really have one good work space there, so all the food went in the cupboards above and below that space. Everything we use for making tea and coffee goes in the cupboard above the coffee maker. And my daughter has a cupboard under the counter where things she needs to reach are stored.

On the shelves inside the cupboards, I organize the jars according to size - if the small once are behind the bigger ones I wouldn't see them. The smaller the jar, the easier they are to move as well, so even if the bigger jar is used a bit more often it still makes more sense (to me) to have the little ones in front. Jars I use most often I try to keep as accessible as possible as well, especially if its something we use daily.

The only things I keep out on my countertops are things I use at least once a day. The coffee maker, fruit bowl, knife stand, soap and cooking utensils. Everything else is tucked away. The lack of clutter just makes it look neater to me at least.

This is how I got my pantry organized; I hope it gives someone else some inspiration on how to get theirs done.