The fridge – possibly the most utilized appliances in a home. Fridge organization can be challenging as there is a constant rotation of foods and condiments going in and out. If not careful, it becomes very easy for items to get lost in the deep, hidden parts in the back of the fridge. Here are a few tips for getting your fridge under control.
- Pull everything out of the fridge.
- As things are being pulled out, check expiration dates. Any refrigerated item that is expired should be trashed.
- Categorize your items by type, as if you were to look for them at the grocery store. For example: Dairy Products, Meat, Drinks, Fruit, Vegetables, Snacks, Dressings, Sauces, Condiments.
- Wipe down the entire fridge to clean crumbs and anything sticky. Always start with a fresh and clean slate.
- Before putting anything back, play with organizing bins and tools to see what fits best for your needs and the fridge space. For example, you can use turntables, drawers, long clear bins with handles, etc.
Other tips to keep in mind:
- Create a space for leftovers. (This is often forgotten, but depending on how often leftovers are kept in your house will determine how much space needs to be saved for this category.)
- Stay away from extremely detailed categories. This limits you to what can be put in this category/bin. Refrigerator items change so quickly and often and need to be specific enough to make a system but not too detailed that seasonal fruits and veggies or snacks don’t have a place.
- Use clear bins for easy visibility. I recommend buying ones with handles and the correct depth of your fridge.
Organizing your fridge can benefit in so many ways and is worth the investment. When you have an easy system and know what you own, it’s less likely that food will go bad, be thrown out, and less likely to buy multiples. When we create a system where you can see everything you own, it makes grocery shopping less overwhelming, meal planning easier, and busy morning/ night routines less anxious and stressful.
