View Full Version : Kitchen - Day 2


AmyBoz
01-04-2005, 10:46 PM
*I'm posting this tonight, but you don't have to read it until the morning* :D

Pantry and Fridge

Okay, today (actually, I’m giving you until next Monday to get this done. There is no way I can get this done until the weekend and I can’t ask you to do something that I’m not doing!) we are cleaning out and organizing the fridge and the pantry.

The principle is the same for both places. First, you need to empty it out and wipe it down. You don’t have to get out a soapy bucket of water and scrub it down (unless, of course, you actually enjoy doing that sort of thing.) I was thinking more in terms of a wet paper towel and just wiping it down…you know…getting that jelly that has hardened on the shelf or the barely visible milk ring beneath the milk jug.

Once you’ve wiped it down, start to reload. I create little categorical spaces for everything. Leftovers in one spot, dairy in another, veggies and fruits to their appropriate drawers, etc. Anything that is close to expiration, please put near the front. You don’t want it to rot in the back. NOT FRUGAL. Anything that is questionable…toss it. If you aren’t even sure what something is…OUT IT GOES! If you have to unwrap something to figure out what it is, BUH-BYE! And next time, let’s remember to label if it’s not in a see-through container.

In the pantry, try to find a way to create levels. I like to use old shoeboxes to stack cans and boxes in the back. That way you can always see what you have on hand and you won’t accidentally buy more of something you already have. It also makes it so much easier when you are cooking to find something quickly. You may also want to arrange your shelves by category. Baking stuff on one shelf, breakfast stuff on another, canned goods on another, etc.

I would absolutely LOVE if people would be willing to take and share pictures of their organized pantries and refrigerators. I’ll also be posting some pantry/fridge organization articles throughout the next few days.

Oh, and just so you don’t think you are off the hook if you get this all done today, we will, of course be having some mini-assignments over the course of the next few days…you know…just to keep us in the habit of decluttering and organizing.

matt&roxy
01-05-2005, 02:39 AM
I like this challenge........My kitchen needs some serious help..........;) Between you and Sara, my kitchen is going to wow even me..........:D

kimmee
01-05-2005, 02:49 AM
MIne's already done!! nah- nah! I did it yesterday - but I will be looking forward to tips on how to possibly redo it and make it even more efficient!!

matt&roxy
01-05-2005, 03:02 AM
Oh bite me Kimmee..............:D

How long will it take you to get here and help with mine.............;)

kimmee
01-05-2005, 03:12 AM
well - if I left now - wait I have to feed the sheep... then I could walk to...ah, forget it - you're on your own woman!!:D

matt&roxy
01-05-2005, 03:28 AM
LOL..........;)

Makat2u
01-05-2005, 04:12 AM
This is great because my top shelf in my food cabinet I cannot reach so as I was reading this I decided that I'm going to rearrange some things that are in food cabinet & pantry so that I can reach the things I use more regularly.
Thanks Amy:smball:

daddys3chicks
01-05-2005, 09:56 AM
I did my fridge last week, but there are some leftovers that need to go before they sprout legs and leave on their own. I did the coffee cabinet this morning, cleaned and purged,. Now I can actually find a coffee mug and filter without things hitting me on the head.

The pantry, well, I'll work on that on Friday. I am taking today off!

Sara Noel
01-05-2005, 10:21 AM
Done with fridge. I need to tackle the pantry. It's a good time for me to do it because I'm due to go food shopping, so there is less in there now than there will be this weekend.

Michelle
01-05-2005, 10:27 AM
Fridge is done (I did this last night since today is trash day) :)

Pantry will require some organizing but no tossing. Will get to that later today.

paelthom
01-05-2005, 10:50 AM
I will get this one done over the weekend and it really needs to be done! I shudder to think of what's living in the produce drawer of my refrigerator :eek:

dz_blonde_girl
01-05-2005, 12:31 PM
I keep some little, squarish, neon stickers that I got at WalMart near the fridge. When I pack up leftovers to go in I write the date, ie. "5" for today, and stck it on.

Now I know how long things have been hanging out in there.

QuilterMom
01-05-2005, 03:12 PM
Pantry is done (something I keep up with every time I make purchases).

Makat2u
01-05-2005, 03:54 PM
My pantry is done & it's so much easier to reach the things I use most & the top shelf in my cupboard is too high to reach & I'm not allowed to climb on my ladder anymore due to health problems & it isn't that big so now there is only my {3} big boxes of cereal & 1 bag of tortilla chips for nachos up there & that's all that fits.
The pantry is divided into 2 parts, on one side I have baking supplies & the other is other misc. items that we usually all have in there. I also tossed a bag of 3 boxe of brown sugar, bottle of syrup, 2 big canisters of gravy that I've had for too many YEARS :yikes:
The fridge is always organized {never much in there} so it's easier to keep clean.
The freezer is full & I organized it not too long ago so I know what's all in there.
Everything in the inside looks so nice & better organized now :thumb:

AmyBoz
01-05-2005, 06:45 PM
Great job, ladies! Remember, if you haven't done this yet, you have until Monday. There's nothing like a neat, organized pantry and fridge. Makes you realize how much you actually have that you never use! Now, let's start using it before we buy more!

baxjul
01-05-2005, 06:59 PM
I did the fridge. Nice and neat now.

As for the Pantry - :o I don't have one. I think I must be the only person in the world without a pantry!!!! So, I'll just do the corner copboard where we put our canned stuff.

AmyBoz
01-05-2005, 07:01 PM
baxjul...hey...as long as you are organizing SOMETHING, I'm pleased!

baxjul
01-05-2005, 07:36 PM
Now you made me feel so good that I'm going to do the snack cupboard too!!!!!:D

Mom23boys
01-05-2005, 09:43 PM
I will get on this asap! I will probably finish the pantry Sat. The fridge will be easy.

gkp1031
01-05-2005, 11:13 PM
Fridge is done! I try to keep on top of that--I hate opening containers and not able to identify what it was!

Pantry is done, everything stays neat at all times so I know what I need to buy.

MarshHen
01-06-2005, 02:03 AM
Well, was gonna do the fridge tomarrow anyway, so that will be out of the way. The pantry was done earlier this week, but will see if I can improve it further.

mrsteddybear
01-06-2005, 09:28 AM
Did the fridge last night, with dson helping, the pantry was done the day after Christmas.

crdurham
01-06-2005, 11:36 AM
YYiipppiieee, I'm finally ahead on something..lol... I did the pantry/food cabinets last week. I got everything organized and put up. Now we know what all we have and can get to it quick. We are really going to try and save money this year so I wanted to get all the stuff straight. I am always buying stuff that we already have and then go to find something and we are out of it...

I will do my fridge today or tommorw...Great idea on the leftover stickers Karen...thanks for the idea!

momof42003
01-08-2005, 04:36 AM
Fridge is done, Sunday is grocery day.. I really don't have much in the "pantry", but what is there is organized.... Two ideas 1. For the pantry I use plastic shoe boxes and such to keep the jellos, and mixes together.. 2. In the bottom of the veggie and fruit drawers I keep a double layer of paper towel--just in case something wants to grow those legs and leave...LOL. Don't know if any of you do this, (probably and I just think that I am a smartie pants-right?), but I thought I'd mention it... Good luck ladies..

daddys3chicks
01-08-2005, 08:46 PM
All done! Woohoo! I even did an inventory and my shopping list!

baxjul
01-08-2005, 09:49 PM
I'm done!!!