If it's been a while since you've sorted through your linen closets and kitchen cabinets, you might want to examine their contents to see what needs to be replaced. Many items like spices, medicines and cleaning supplies have expiration dates, but are they all really worth throwing out? In this post, we’ll help you decide what to toss, what to keep and how to reorganize.
Items to Evaluate
Spices
Spices don’t expire like food, but they do lose flavor over time. If the spice still has a strong smell, rich color and taste - you’re okay! If not, we recommend throwing it away. Check out this spice timeline from Eat by Date for all your spices’ shelf lives.
Over-the-counter Medicine
We all have half-empty bottles of OTC medicine in our cabinet, but how often do we check the expiration date when we catch a cold? Luckily, most over-the-counter medicine can last years after its expiration date. Antibiotics, children’s medications, liquids and lifesaving meds, however, should be discarded after expiration.
Cleaning Supplies
To keep your home germ-free during cold and flu months, discard disinfectants after three months, which is when they begin to lose effectiveness, and get rid of bleach and laundry detergent after six months.
How to Reorganize
Now that you’ve cleaned out some of your cabinets and closets, it’s time to organize! Using a Premium 3 Tier Spice Rack, organize spices alphabetically to make them easy to find and never forgotten.
For OTC medicine, use Fabric Drawers and Bins and label them accordingly - first-aid, cold/flu, pain reliever and upset stomach.
With our Chalkboard Fabric Drawers, you can write down exactly what’s inside your bins!
Consider a 5 Drawer Kit to organize and store your cleaning supplies. This will help declutter your space and prevent spillage in kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
By taking inventory of all your supplies now, you can ensure you and your family will have a comfortable and safe winter season!
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