Spice Up Your Kitchen – Organize Spices & Pantry Like a Pro
Welcome to Week 22 of our 52-Week Cleaning, Organizing & Decluttering Challenge! We’re heading into the heart of the home—the kitchen. More specifically, we’re going to tame the spice chaos and reclaim your pantry. This week is all about bringing order to those shelves and jars so cooking becomes easier, faster, and—dare I say—fun!
Week 22: Kitchen – Organize Spices & Pantry
- Clean spice jars and organize them by type or use.
- Sort through pantry items and discard expired foods.
- Wipe down pantry shelves.
- Label containers for better storage.
So grab your favorite playlist, maybe a cup of tea (or coffee, not judging), and let’s get started!
Click here for a pdf of this checklist! CLICK HERE FOR LIST
Why This Week Matters: The Secret to a Happy Kitchen
Did you know that a cluttered kitchen can lead to more food waste, stress, and even unhealthy eating habits? When we can’t see what we have, we tend to buy duplicates, forget expiration dates, or just opt for takeout. A streamlined pantry and spice rack isn’t just pretty—it’s practical.
Step 1: Spices—From Chaotic to Culinary Bliss
Toss the Expired:
Spices lose their potency over time. Ground spices typically last 2–3 years, while whole spices last 3–4 years. If you’re unsure, open the jar and sniff—no aroma = time to let go.
Clean Those Jars:
Wipe down sticky spice jars with a vinegar-water solution (or a gentle all-purpose cleaner). You’d be surprised how much grime builds up!
Organize by Use or Type:
Group by cuisine (e.g., Italian, Indian), frequency of use (daily vs. occasional), or alphabetically. There’s no wrong way—just what works for you.
Reader Favorite: I highly recommend this method of storing spices: in a kitchen drawer. It’s customizable and lets you see everything at a glance. My kitchen drawer holds a lot of spices!
Amazon creator ad link SimpleHouseware Spice Jars 4 Ounce Square Bottles w/labels https://amzn.to/3SkI7NO
Moving the spice jars from a cupboard to a drawer where all jars can be seen at a glance is one of the best organizing tasks I’ve done in the kitchen ever! Make sure to get these drawer dividers for this task:
Step 2: The Pantry—From Black Hole to Meal Prep Haven
Purge Expired Foods:
Wipe Down Shelves:
Gorilla Shelf Liner in many colors. Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/3HnPk9q
Group & Label:
Pantry MVPs:
[a d] Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers, 52 Piece Plastic Container Set, Dishwasher and Microwave Safe Meal Prep, Snack, and Lunch Container, BPA Free, Ruby Red. Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/4ii8NZj
[a d] C CREST 10-Pack Glass Food Storage Containers (A Set of Five Colors), Meal Prep Containers with Lids for Kitchen, Home Use – Airtight Glass Lunch Boxes. Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/3EjiBEs
Get these chalkboard labels that can be used on a lot more than just spice jars! This set is economical and comes with 300 labels! Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/3O3WhjT
Bonus Tips from the Experts
Lazy Susan for oils and sauces: Keeps those awkward bottles in easy reach. I have one in the refrigerator for jars of olives and pickles and at least two more in the pantry closet.
[a d] Lazy Susan 3-pack limited offer! Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/452vLRp
Clear bins or baskets: Perfect for snacks or grab-and-go items. I purchased these and love them!
When you want to see the contents of your supplies but the boxes aren’t see-through, get these Airtight Food Storage Containers with Lids 14 pieces. Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/489nBnT
Keep a pantry inventory list on the inside of your door to reduce overbuying. I don’t have an inventory list, but I do use a magnetic meal planning list.
[a d] 9″x13″ Clear Weekly Meal Planner Magnetic Acrylic dry erase Board, includes 6 Color Markers and Pen Container. Amazon affiliate link https://amzn.to/3SxvHBR I don’t keep the wipe cloth on the refrigerator any longer.
Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!
You did it—your spices and pantry are now in top form! That’s no small feat, and your future self (and meals) will thank you.
Be sure to bookmark this blog and hit “favorite” on your browser so you can easily return for each week of the challenge. And if you haven’t already, join the Living With Dana Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/livingwithdana for weekly reminders, real-life before & afters, and plenty of motivation from fellow declutterers!
Coming up next week: Week 23 – Garage Glow-Up! We’ll be tackling:
* Wiping down garage doors (inside & out)
* Cleaning garage windows/mirrors
* Sweeping walls for cobwebs
* Organizing seasonal decorations
Don’t miss it—your garage is about to get the love it deserves!
Let’s Chat!
Did you discover any long-lost pantry treasures this week? Got a spice system that’s pure genius? Drop a comment below or tag me on Facebook. I love seeing your progress!
Until next week—stay tidy and terrific! Love you all, Dana
If you missed any of the earlier challenges, be sure to check out the Challenge 2025 kick-off post, which lists all weekly challenges and links as they become available.
For your convenience, download free cleaning, organizing, and decluttering checklists to keep your progress on track:
BLOG POST with free checklists for each room
Also the master checklist for all 52 weeks:
Download the list here (click image):
Happy cleaning!
