5 Tips for Decanting Pantry Items
With much of the country under some form of stay at home orders due to COVID-19, many of us have cut down on the number of grocery shopping trips we are doing each month. While this is the right move to adhere to social distancing guidelines, it is definitely putting a strain on many of our pantries!
So today I am sharing my top five tips for decanting your pantry items! For a more abbreviate version (and much more entertaining) check out our TikTok video!
Only decant the items you use most frequently
Decanting becomes unmanageable and irritating when you’re trying to decant every single item you bring into your home. If you have the space to decant every single item and you have ample time to replenish these as you shop, then go for it! But for most people, decanting the most frequently used items or items that are particularly messy when left in their bag (hello flour!) is the right balance! You want to ensure that the system you’ve set up is easy to maintain and you’re not spending hours decanting things into 30-40 different jars every time you go grocery shopping.
Use clear containers so you can see if you’re running low with just a glance
We thought this was a no brainier, but just to be sure, we thought we’d remind you that one of the biggest benefits to decanting is being able to see at a glance if you’re running low on an item. Make your life easier and keep the container clear! This also lets you showcase the beautiful textures of the items in the container.
Label your containers using generic names not brand names
Organization is maintainable when the system is easy. You don’t want to be swapping out the labels on your jars every single time you go shopping so stick to generic names such as “cereal” rather than the brand name such as “Honey Bunches of Oats”.
Keep important cooking instructions if you’ve emptied the box
If you’re decanting something that you’ll need the cooking instructions for, be sure that you save those directions. Even better, snap a picture on your phone and store it in a folder on your photos app! You don’t want to be digging through the recycling for the box or searching the internet when you’re trying to get dinner cooked amid all the other chaos life is throwing your way!
Write the expiration date on a label on the bottom of the container
While many items that are decanted will be used up before the expiration date, if you have any concerns, write the date on the bottom of the container on a label or use a piece of masking or painters tape!
Store extra inventory in a “back stock” bin or shelf
In some cases, you may have extra cereal that didn’t fit in the jar, or a third of a bag of flour left. Store all of these items together in a designated back stock area and be sure to check here before you go shopping! It might be the bottom shelf in your pantry or maybe even a less accessed cabinet in your kitchen!
Bonus Tip!
Sorry, couldn’t help myself! Ensure that you’re selecting the right sized container for the item you’re choosing to decant. It is not a good use of your time to fill up the cereal container 3 times per week because you’re storing it in a jar that is just too small!
That’s all for now, friends! Happy decanting and as always, happy organizing!
Drop me a note in the comments below, and let me know what your “go to” pantry items are to decant!
Tasha