clearing out the kitchen cupboards

littlepinkstars44

ok i am planning on clearing out my mums kitchen cupboards this afternoon, i haven't told her this yet though!

I am sick of everything falling out or on top of me when i try to get something i need. And i know there is things in the back of the cupboards that are YEARS out of date!!
My mum just picks things in Morrisons and never thinks about what she already has in the kitchen.

She's always saying theres nothing in for dinner, when actually we have a fridge, 2 freezers (thats right we have 2!!) and cupboards full of stuff.

I am hoping that if i get a good clearout, and get rid of all the out of date junk, she will actually be able to see what she has and stop moaning about having to go to the shops EVERYDAY!!

Any ideas on the best way to start this? I'm thinking black bag in one hand and chuck all the carp into it.
Anyone done this recently? How long did it take, as ideally i'd like it all to be finished before my little brother comes in from school wanting fed.

thanks

esmf73

If you're doing all of it - ie the freezers too, then it will take a while. Make a list as you go.

Clear a space on the floor and have plenty of tabletop space. Have an empty bin bag - just in case.

Start at the top and work down - cleaning the cupboards with a damp cloth and writing down what you find thats in date.

Personally I'd keep dried and tinned food and spices even if they were out of date - depends on how far. But should be OK.

Also what I'm doing today is moving all the things that my children go searching in my cupboards for, to the top of the cupboard - and chocolate spread to the BACK! Best of luck

Patchwork_Quilt

Excellent advice above. We usually do this about now so that we can stop shopping and use up everything that is out of date or going out of date before we need to shop for Christmas. If your Mum does it every year then there will be nothing seriously out of date next time.

Someone cleared out the church fridge once and found some pickles (open) that were five years out of date (!)

valk_scot

When I clean out the larder cupboard I keep a seperate box for things that have gone out of date or are close to doing so. Then I make a point of using these items up asap.

I also make sure that everything that goes back is in the correct rotation ie oldest at the front. It's amazing how many folk don't rotate tins etc when putting them away!

Butterfly_Brain

I have just had a major sort out and luckily all my stuff is in date. I have transferred all my tins and jars onto open shelves in the larder so that I can see at a glance what I have, I find it really helpful when I am meal planning and writing my shopping list.
I asked my DH to paint the larder door with Blackboard paint and I write what I need on that.
I have two freezers as well and have a list on each door of what is in them and just cross out what I have used.
I use one freezer to keep HM Ready meals in (Spaghetti sauce, stews, pies soups, cakes and the like). And the other has Meat, Fish and veg in.
It makes my life so much easier