The old fashioned idea of a spring clean makes sense after the dank and cold days of winter, but it’s often hard to find time in our schedule to get the job done.
Instead, it’s a smarter idea to approach a spring clean by breaking down the tasks and completing them over a few weeks.
One of the best places to start is in the kitchen – the most used room in the home.
Below, our agents have put together a list of items that you should throw out of your pantry right now as part of your spring cleaning regime.
We hope we inspire you! Good luck!
Expired Items
It’s so easy to ignore items that have expired. Maybe that’s just human nature. But seeking out food that is beyond its time is a great place to start a pantry spring clean. If you find items that are about to expire, perhaps consider using them in the next few days.
Use Labels
Still on the topic of expiry dates, if you decant items such as pasta, then it’s always a good idea to label the jar or Tupperware with the expiry date before putting it away.
Dented Cans
Never buy dented cans as their contents can be unsafe to consume. So, check if you have any at the back of the cupboard. The older the dented can, the more likely its content is unhealth. Empty them and recycle the can.
The Questionable
Most of us have items in our pantry that we’re actually too scared to look at – things in bottles at the back of the cupboard. Summon your courage to expel them from your pantry and your life. You’ll feel better for it.
The Unwanted
You’ll instinctively know which foods will never be touched. In this scenario, just throw them away, even if they’ve not reached their expiry date.
Stale tales
Have you checked the breadcrumbs in that old Tupperware container? Or the croutons you bought for all those Caesar salads you never made? It’s time to see if they’ve lost their crunch. If so, you know what to do.
Space Eaters
Is there anything in your pantry that takes up more space that it warrants? Be brutal with items that simply don’t deserve the shelf space they demand.
Beautiful, but …
Many of us will have decorative bottles that once held olive oil, or colourful tins that came with a gift of biscuits. Are they really of any use to you now? If they’re just taking up storage space, it’s time to say goodbye.