The Easy And Efficient Soup Can Organization Hack That Maximizes Pantry Storage

If your shelves are often flooded with canned items, then you may feel at your wits' end when it comes to where to store them. However, it turns out you could use some of the original packaging to your advantage, thanks to a nifty hack by @AlaskaGranny on YouTube. Rather than tossing them away, you could instead upcycle them so that you can quickly maximize your pantry storage without having to spend a penny. All you have to do is make the necessary adjustments to the packaging, and they should be instantly fit for use, helping you to remove items from other areas of your culinary space.  

Not only do these DIY storage boxes do a great job at stowing things away, but they can also help you to be more organized and efficient. Likewise, there is the option to make as many of these as you desire, so it's perfect if you often go through a lot of tins or simply need to free up some space in your pantry for other stuff. What's more, you can also use them for additional food and groceries, not just tins, making it an incredibly versatile hack if you want to try it out.

All you'll need for this hack is some leftover soda packaging (providing it's still in good shape), scissors, labels, and cans you want to stow away. If you don't have any, you can purchase sparkling water for $6.40 on Amazon, while you can get sticky labels from Amazon for $10.99. To make the system, take your scissors and create an opening across the top half at the front of the packaging, spanning the whole way, and then another one at the back if you haven't already. Just ensure it's big enough that a can and your hand can easily fit in. Next, add your labels, which you can use to plan and assign your food. For example, you could use one for vegetable soup, another for canned beans, and another for canned fruits — the list is endless.

To use it, all you have to do is slot all your cans into place (you could even utilize some for fruits if you wanted to, or crisps), and every time you purchase something new, slide it into the correct place at the back via the other hole. As a result of using this nifty box system, you should find it much easier to locate things when you need them while freeing up pantry space at the same time, allowing you to buy all the items you need without having to worry about where you'll put them. Simply reach in and grab what you require.

While utilizing the system this way is useful, there are some ways you can improve things. For example, you could color code each box with labels or paint them so they blend with your interior better, or use different types of sturdier materials made of more robust cardboard, which will allow you to easily stack them and save countertop space, unlike the weak soda packaging. Some good alternatives could include cardboard dog food packaging, other drink boxes, or anything else you discover, such as strong cardboard boxes, as long as it can fit your food in. These will be much sturdier. For the paint, white would be a great neutral color choice. 

The reason why this hack works so well is because the size is perfect for cans, along with giving enough space to horizontally order them into a neat line, which helps to avoid getting jumbled up between dates and ensures your stock is always fresh. While it helps to boost your pantry storage, it will still take up space on your counter or wherever else you decide to put it, which is something to keep in mind. You could combat this by putting them inside your cupboards. Likewise, due to the design of the soda packaging, you may find it difficult to stack them, especially with heavier items inside, which can create a problem if you don't have much space on your counters. However, it's still a great pantry shelf idea if you want to put it there.