Being organized does not mean that you have to alphabetize your spices or use only what can fit on a nice decorative rack from a gourmet shop. However, it does mean that you should purge your spice collection on a regular basis; once or twice a year should do. Spices and herbs lose their effectiveness and potency with age, and if stored improperly near a heat source (beside or over the stove, for example), they quickly get stale.

 

article continues below ↓

Put bagged spices into clean, recycled spice jars and label clearly. If you desperately need more space in your pantry or cupboard consider purchasing or making a spice rack to allow for more food space. My favorite organizer for spices is an expanding rack that looks like stair steps — the unit has three tiers and expands horizontally to fit almost any width. Although I purchased mine from a kitchen specialty store, I’ve also seen these in the organizing section of local discount stores.

As you place your spice jars in your cupboard, group by category such as spices and herbs, sweet and savory, and so forth.

The best system is the one that works and that you will keep using. Change it as your needs change, moving large bottles to the back and smaller jars to the front for easier viewing. Just try to keep things cleaned out on a regular basis and return them to their proper home after each use.

 

Excerpted from Common Sense Organzing: A Step-by-Step Program for Taking Control of Your Home and Your Life by Debbie Williams (Champion Press, Ltd., February 2005, ISBN 1-932783-26-1, http://www.championpress.com/).

 

 

 

About Debbie Williams

Debbie Williams, is an organizing coach and author of the book Put Your House in Order. She is the publisher of Organized Times e-zine and Web site and has published four books for organizing the home and home business, including her latest book, Common Sense Organizing. She routinely appears on television and radio broadcasts, teaching audience members how to organize their homes and home offices, and to better manage their time. Currently Debbie serves as organizational expert for Home Based Working Moms and is a regular contributor to Ask Heloise, Homebodies.com and Proverbs31 Woman.