Hush This Pantry (and Laundry Room!) 5 Simple Organizing Tips for a Clean, Functional Home

Is your pantry or laundry room feeling cluttered and overwhelming? You’re not alone. These two spaces tend to collect all the random things that don’t quite fit anywhere else. From half-empty boxes of pantry items to forgotten towels and a mountain of dirty clothes, the pantry and laundry room spaces hold it all.

I recently decided to take on both of these problem areas —my kitchen pantry and laundry room, which are two spaces separated by a door. It wasn’t about creating a Pinterest-perfect, beautifully organized pantry, but rather a functional pantry and laundry space that actually made daily life easier.

The project took a couple of hours each day over two days. I’ve listed out tips that you can easily adapt for your own home. Whether you’re working around limited storage space or just trying to stay on top of everyday tasks, these simple tips make a huge difference.

Let’s walk through the exact steps I used to declutter, clean, and reorganize both areas, plus a few extra ideas to help you keep them that way for the long term.

Tip #1: Remove Everything (Yes, Everything!)

The first step in any deep-cleaning project is to thoroughly clean the space. Empty every shelf, drawer, and cabinet. This gives you a blank slate. You might be surprised at what you find in the back of the pantry or stuffed behind the laundry basket!

If you’re tackling your kitchen pantry, pull out all the pantry items and set them on your kitchen table. For the laundry room, pile up towels, cleaners, and supplies so you can see everything at once.

This is a great way to take inventory and start sorting before putting anything back.

Tip #2: Clean as You Go

Once the shelves are empty, take time for some detailed cleaning. Wipe down the pantry shelves, vacuum out crumbs, and use a mild cleaner on sticky spots. Don’t forget to dust light fixtures and mop the floor.

In the laundry room, shake out rugs, clean the lint trap, and wipe down your washer and dryer. It’s a small act of care that goes a long way toward a clean home.

If you’re a checklist kind of person, keep a Word document or sheet protector with a cleaning list tucked inside your planner. It’s a huge help to reference next time you do a deep cleaning session.

Tip #3: Sort and Group Similar Items

Now that everything’s out and clean, start grouping similar items together. Put all your baking supplies in one pile, breakfast items in another, and maybe dedicate a bin for snacks.

Check expiration dates as you go. It’s incredible how older items hide in the back and take up prime real estate on your pantry shelving.

In the laundry room, sort your supplies the same way — laundry soaps, stain removers, dryer sheets, and hand towels. Grouping by category helps you avoid overbuying and lets any family member find what they need quickly.

Tip #4: Organize with Purpose

This is where the fun begins! Think like a professional organizer —or even an interior designer —and make your shelves both practical and pretty.

Use clear containers or glass jars for dry goods like flour, sugar, or oats. Mason jars are another affordable option. For easy access, add a lazy Susan for oils and vinegars or use contact paper to freshen up kitchen cabinets.

In your laundry room, a small basket for plastic wrap, clothespins, or foam core board (for folding clothes neatly) can save a lot of space.

If you have vertical space, use it! Install extra hooks or add shelving for detergent and other cleaning supplies, and hang folded towels or cleaning cloths.

Tip #5: Toss, Donate, and Maintain

The next step is letting go of what no longer serves you. Toss anything expired, broken, or unnecessary. Donate gently used items that someone else could use.

Once everything’s back in place, take a moment to appreciate your hard work and commit to small maintenance habits. Do a quick tidy every week or two, and check for older items or supplies running low.

This keeps your pantry organization and laundry room from becoming overwhelming again.

Bonus Tips for Staying Organized

• Keep a small clipboard or grocery list near your kitchen drawers to track what you’re running out of.
• Label everything — it makes a huge difference when your family members help put groceries away.
• Store pantry items used daily (like coffee or hot chocolate) in easy-to-reach zones, and keep seasonal or rarely used goods in the back of the pantry.
• Dedicate a small basket for meal prep items to streamline your week.
• Use your coat closet or living room cabinets creatively for overflow storage space.

Final Thoughts

Decluttering doesn’t have to feel like a dirty word. With a bit of time and intention, you can transform your kitchen space and laundry room into places that truly serve your family.

Whether you’re organizing your shelves for the first time or just refreshing your system from last week, these steps will help you create order, peace, and beauty in your home, one shelf at a time.

If you’d like to see how I did it in real time, watch the full video below.

And if you’re part of our community of homemakers, come share your progress inside the Biblical Roots Homemaking & Homesteading Community on Facebook. It’s always inspiring to see how others make their own space a haven for their families.