7 Common Pantry Mistakes Pro Organizers Would Never Make

You probably reach for something in the pantry at least once a day, if not more often. But it’s easy for this space to become messy. We tapped professional organizers to find out the pantry mistakes to stop making ASAP. Some of these tips might surprise you—while you might assume organizers are all about precise storage systems, one expert actually cautioned against using overly specific organizing systems in this space.

In addition to following these clever tips from organizers, it’s also a good idea to declutter your pantry periodically. Things like expired canned goods and stale foods have a way of lingering at the back of the pantry longer than they should. By tossing them, you’re creating more space for fresh ingredients and items you’ll actually eat.

Another common pantry mistake organizers want you to avoid is storing non-food items, including cleaning products, in the pantry. While it may seem logical to store your cleaning supplies in easy reach of the kitchen surfaces you regularly clean, it’s actually a safety hazard to store them in the pantry.

Keep reading to learn more about the common pantry mistakes organizers want you to stop making, and what you should do instead.

Storing cleaning products

Experts agree: Cleaning products should never be stored in the same place as food. “I would never store toxic products, like household chemicals or cleaning supplies, in the pantry,” says Ashley Hines of Thee Tailored Life. Cleaning chemicals can contaminate nearby food through spills, leaks or fumes, which can pose a serious health risk. “The pantry is a food space that should feel safe and nourishing.”

Implementing very specific systems

Overly complicated systems are hard to maintain and will inevitably lead to clutter if they don’t work for your lifestyle. “Skip overly rigid systems,” says Hines. “Your pantry should be flexible enough to handle everyday grocery swaps and changes in taste. If you live with others, keep it simple and easy for everyone to use.”

Try to streamline your storage systems (clear containers work best, so you can see what’s inside). “Too many bins or mismatched storage solutions can confuse your pantry’s flow,” adds Lindsay Melvin, owner of Orchid Organizing.

Going overboard with labels

Most organizers recommend labeling bins, baskets and decanted containers, but don’t go overboard. “Labels should make sense for your household,” says Melvin. “Stick to wide categories like breakfast, grains, snacks, baking and canned foods. This offers you a category yet flexibility.”

“I’ve seen clients try to label EVERYTHING, and this is counterproductive because no one wants to read 50 labels when they’re hungry,” adds Cheryl Russo of Organizing by Cheryl.

Keeping food they don’t like

“I never keep food we do not eat,” says Hines. Food, snacks or ingredients you don’t plan to eat are taking up space in the pantry and will eventually expire and turn to waste. “Do not let guilt convince you to hang onto items that do not serve your family. If it is unopened and still good, pass it on to a neighbor, friend, family member or local food pantry.”

Storing any non-food related items

“I believe that only food and food-related items (think lunch boxes and small appliances) should be stored in a pantry,” says Russo. You can get away with storing serveware, paper products, grocery bags or kitchen tools, but don’t let your pantry turn into household storage. Certain items, like toxic cleaners, batteries and lightbulbs, could pose contamination risks.

Leaving bags and containers open

The biggest rule of food storage: Never leave bags or containers open. Everything should be properly sealed to preserve freshness and prevent pests from getting inside.

Many organizers choose to decant everyday food items into glass jars and containers, but you don’t have to. “I personally, do not decant my food,” says Melvin. “I use clips or rubber bands to secure the food. I feel like my foods ebb and flow, and I may not always have brown, long grain rice, so I don’t need a glass jar for it.”

Buying bins for aesthetics

Style matters — even inside the pantry, but never sacrifice function for a beautiful storage bin. “Avoid bins that do not fit your shelves or have textures that are hard to clean or prone to shedding,” says Hines. Clear bins or mesh baskets work best, so you can see what’s inside.