Stickers for organizing the pantry

We're already on vacation and doing some cleaning at this house! We have our traditions, and one of them is setting aside a few days before or after to get the house in order: cleaning out the closets and taking advantage of having the time together to organize everything. This year I've stocked up on jars and Tupperware because I wanted to organize my pantry. I've prepared these VC STICKERS with all the ingredients I use regularly, as well as some that you've recommended on Facebook. You can stick them on your jars. (If you need an ingredient that we haven't listed, leave it in the comments and we'll make more stickers :D. You can also use the untitled labels.)

I really dislike having the pantry full of little bags of lentils, beans, rice… Javi is less careful about that, but I love having everything in its place and everything organized. The impression you get when you open the cupboard is completely different, and with everything neatly arranged, you can see at a glance what you have and what you're missing. I find it much more convenient.

TIP: If you want to know the expiration date, put a small piece of paper with the date inside the lid or base of your jar using cellophane tape. That way, you'll never forget it's expired, and remember, always put the oldest items at the front to use them first.

If you'd like, I'll explain step by step how I do it. What containers I use, the pros and cons, where I place them depending on the weight… This is my way of doing it, but you can leave your comments here to let me know how you organize yourselves. We all learn from each other, so tell me about it; I read all your comments as soon as I have a free moment. D.

How do I print the stickers?

You'll need a laser or inkjet printer—you can use the latter, but I recommend letting the ink dry completely before cutting out the stickers into circles or squares with small scissors. It will require some crafting, but you'll see how great they look. If you print them with an inkjet printer, be careful not to rub the stickers with soapy cloths, as this can cause them to rub off.

What type of paper should I use? I use sticker paper; it's a single sheet with a set of labels printed on it, which I've provided above for you to download and then cut out. The paper I used is for inkjet printers and is HERMA 8964 <-click on it to see it.

What containers do I use in the pantry?

• Plastic containers: In the image, you can see two types of plastic containers. One is the OXO Good Grips POP, which I've been testing for a couple of months, and the other is the classic Tupperware®, which I've had at home for over 20 years. PROS: The ones you see in the image are stackable. This feature is essential. Another is that they're transparent so you can easily see the contents. They should also be deep enough so you don't have containers stacked on top of each other, which is always harder to see. They're lighter and easy to clean. CONS: The material. Although these types of containers, if they're good quality, last for many years. In fact, my blue-lidded Tupperware® containers are over 20 years old—need I say more? The other drawback is the price. Sometimes, quality isn't the cheapest option, and the airtightness of the lids is important, so it's better to buy them little by little than to buy them all at once and end up with poor quality ones.
• Glass jars: I've been using Le Parfait® jars from the online store JUVASA.COM for years—they're the most affordable I've seen—and they have screw-top jars and airtight containers. PROS: They're recyclable, cheaper, long-lasting, easy to clean, and don't warp. Make sure they're stackable; the Le Parfait® jars, like the ones in the photo, can be stacked on top of each other. CONS: They're considerably heavier than plastic jars. If they fall, they can break more easily. Just don't let it fall on your foot! XD

If you need to store containers of different materials in your pantry, always keep the heaviest containers in the center or on the lower shelves. Store plastic containers in the higher, more visible areas. Keep milk, water, and other heavy items on the bottom shelves... organize the rest according to your needs. I keep all the flours together, then the pasta, legumes, and jars of tomatoes, tuna, and all the packaged goods...

Are you ready to refresh your pantry?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.