13 Items You Should Never Store in the Pantry

There’s no one right way to organize a pantry, especially since the size and configurations vary so greatly. You might use a handful of kitchen cabinet shelves as a small pantry, or you could have a walk-in pantry that affords you room to store more than dry goods. Regardless of how much space you have, however, there are certain things you should never store in the pantry.

Certain food items fare much better in the fridge, and some everyday items can be a hazard if left in the pantry unattended. Perishable goods are a no-brainer, but there are some things that, although they’re presumed to be shelf stable, might come as a surprise to learn that ought to be refrigerated. And then there are the items that are up for debate—but that we recommend you keep far away from the pantry.

Take this opportunity to clear out and reorganize your pantry, keeping in mind these guidelines. These are the items you should never store in the pantry.

1. Expired Items

It’s easy to let too much time go by without properly decluttering the pantry, so chances are you have a few expired items hiding in the back somewhere. Ideally you should give your pantry a quick organizing once per week, or if that’s too overwhelming, twice per month. The idea is that the more often you get into the habit of checking expiration dates and what you have on hand before grocery shopping, the quicker and easier the task will be each time. Bonus: You’ll experience significantly less food waste.

2. Pantry-Safe Produce (If You Might Forget About It)

Several root vegetables like onions, potatoes, and garlic are best stored in a cool, dark place with decent ventilation. That means the pantry isn’t totally off limits, especially if you keep them in airy, open baskets and always separate onions and potatoes. Some fruits, such as bananas, are also designed to be kept at room temperature (although once ripened, they’ll last longer in the refrigerator). The problem arises when you forget you’ve tucked produce away in the pantry and it begins to rot. You’re better off keeping a fruit basket on the kitchen counter so you’ll be more inclined to use them in your recipes. Or, if you have a garden and are looking for a weekend DIY project, consider building a root cellar.

3. Nuts

If you regularly finish off a bag of cashews in the blink of an eye, it’s fine to leave them in the pantry. But the healthy fats found in nuts unfortunately cause them to go bad after a short while, so it’s smart to store them in the fridge (or freezer) immediately after opening a package. If you’re unsure whether or not the nuts currently in your pantry are fit to eat, check for a rancid smell or a softer texture. Alongside nuts, consider storing seeds and dried fruit in the fridge, as opposed to the pantry, to maintain their freshness for a longer period of time.

4. Select Oils

A bottle of regular olive oil stored in the pantry is perfectly acceptable. However, some specialty cooking oils need to be refrigerated. Any oil that’s infused with fresh ingredients, like garlic and herbs, will grow bacteria if left at room temperature. Similarly to nuts and seeds, nut or seed-based oils (such as walnut or sesame) should also be kept in the fridge, as should truffle oil and, if you prefer, coconut oil to prolong its shelf life.

5. Maple Syrup and Peanut Butter (Especially Organic)

Both items are frequently found in pantries, but that doesn’t mean that’s the best storage method for them. Syrup can easily grow unwanted mold or yeast if left unrefrigerated after opening. Although made of nuts, processed peanut butter brands are safe to stay in the pantry thanks to the stabilizers added to them. Without said stabilizers, organic or natural peanut butter will experience oil separation and begin to spoil at room temperature.  

6. Open Cans, Jars, or Bottles

Any canned goods that have been opened, from black beans to diced tomatoes, either to be used up on the spot or refrigerated immediately after the fact. Open jars of pickled vegetables or jams should also go right into the refrigerator, as should any condiments you’ve dipped into. Mustard in particular should always be refrigerated to maintain freshness, but also include ketchup, mayo, and your favorite bottle of ranch.

7. Cured Meats

Between the way they’re placed in unrefrigerated sections of the food store and the fact that they’re often included in gift baskets, it seems as though leaving packages of cured meats in the pantry is no big deal. However, once they’re opened, they need to be refrigerated to prevent the spread of bacteria. Even still, thin meats like prosciutto will go back in the fridge to go bad, but harder cured meats, like salami, will last longer.

8. Bread (Including Tortillas) 

Similarly to produce that will most likely get neglected if stored in the pantry, any type of bread will eventually form mold. If you haven’t already, invest in a bread box to keep items fresher longer, and leave it on the countertop (perhaps near a toaster), so you remember to eat it.

9. Whole Grain Flour

Unless you’re a frequent baker, baking supplies are usually found scattered across a high pantry shelf. For the most part, this is fine but it’s smart to decant ingredients (like sugar or baking soda) into airtight storage containers to keep them fresh in between cookie bake-offs. There’s one exception, though, and that’s whole-grain flour (namely, whole-wheat) because it contains oils that will cause it to go bad if left in the pantry. Keep any flour made with whole grains in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and extend its shelf life.

10. Pet Food

This one may be somewhat controversial, particularly if you keep an opened bag of dry dog food in an airtight container and like that you can shut the pantry door to keep them from begging for dinner. However, pests can still worm their way into a lidded bin and that the smell of kibble can permeate a small, closed-off space and linger on human food. Therefore, it’s better to find an alternative spot in the house to keep pet food—such as by the backdoor or in a mudroom.

11. Dish Towels (and Other Linens)

Dish towels and other fabric items can attract moths, so don’t take the risk and find homes for your kitchen linens elsewhere in the home. Fold towels into threes and place them horizontally in a small drawer close to the sink. Hang your apron on the back of a nearby door and contain special occasion or holiday runners, placemats, and napkins together in a storage area.

12. Cleaning Products

Just as you probably want to avoid pet food intermingling with your snacks in the pantry, it’s also unhygienic to keep cleaning products in close proximity to food items. Not only can spills or leaks happen, commercial cleaners release fumes and, potentially, pollute the air inside the house. You can switch to more natural cleaning products but, even so, try dedicating a space elsewhere, such as in a utility or cleaning closet to safely store cleaning products away from little hands and your family’s food.

13. Medication

You never want to keep medication—either prescription or over-the-counter—in the pantry because it means anyone could potentially access it. Children are more likely to find it while reaching for their favorite snacks, and guests or house sitters often have access to whatever you’re storing in the pantry as well. Avoid the risks altogether and keep medicine in your bedroom or tucked on a high shelf in the linen closet where all household adults can easily find it.