3 Things That Don’t Belong in Your Pantry
The new coronavirus isn’t going anywhere, which means a lot of us are spending more time than usual thinking about our pantries and how to stock them to serve us in the coming weeks. Or maybe, if you’re like me, you’re thinking (read: worrying) about the current state of your pantry — i.e. complete disarray. It’s a good time to face the assortment of canned goods, random vases and serving platters, and kitty litter that’s hiding in there.
Of course, you don’t have to do a full pantry re-organization, although it’s not a bad idea if you, say, find yourself working from home. But a quick clean-out should suffice, including a few things that don’t belong in your pantry in the first place.
1. Pet Food
If your pup or cat are adventurous or prone to sneaking around for food, it’s probably not a good idea to keep bags of pet food on the pantry floor. Instead, store them in a sealed container in a cabinet, where they will be less vulnerable to moisture (and hungry pets).
2. Cleaning Supplies
As a general rule, keep your cleaning supplies (especially risky ones, like bleach and ammonia) separate from your food to prevent cross-contamination. Instead, designate a spot beneath your kitchen sink or in your laundry room — where kids and pets can’t reach them.
3. Open Red Wine
We applaud you for not finishing the bottle of wine all by yourself last night, and if you want to slow down the oxidation process and make it last even longer, re-cork it and put it in the fridge. If you’re not into cold red wine, let it sit out at room temperature before serving.