How to organize a refrigerator
- Set your fridge’s temperature to the recommended settings to inhibit bacteria and mold.
- Clean out the fridge and remove any expired items.
- Keep top shelves for prepared foods, leftovers or ready-to-eat items.
- Lower shelves are colder, so they're best for meat and other raw ingredients.
How to organize your refrigerator correctly?
Simple Steps to Arrange your Refrigerator
- Fully empty the fridge This will require you to remove everything from the refrigerator and ensure it is entirely empty. ...
- Cleaning all the surfaces Use a paper towel or some disinfecting wipe. You then take some disinfecting spray and spray all the fridge surfaces to sanitize them. ...
- Reassembling and deodorizing
How to organize your refrigerator like a pro?
Refrigerator Organization
- Keep It Clean. When’s the last time you gave your refrigerator a nice cleaning? ...
- Learn Optimal Placement. To help prevent cross-contamination and reduce the risk of spoilage, here are some general guidelines for where to store foods in your refrigerator.
- Use the Drawers. ...
- Properly store your foods. ...
- Check the Temperature. ...
How to Declutter Your refrigerator?
- Categorize them and keep each category in containers.
- Store leftovers in smaller and stackable containers. This will save space.
- Place leftovers and perishable food items in a spot that makes these the first things you see when opening the fridge. ...
- Keep unopened food and drinks in the pantry to have more space in the fridge. ...
How often do you clean out your refrigerator?
Clean Your Refrigerator Every 3 Months . Make refrigerator cleaning easier by wiping up spills when they happen and wiping down handles and dispenser controls daily with a disinfecting wipe to remove bacteria from lots of hands. Once a week, take a few minutes to check for food that needs to be tossed to prevent the growth of mold and mildew that spreads quickly.
What is the order we store things in the fridge top to bottom?
ready-to-eat food. Raw meat, poultry and fish should be stored in the following top-to-bottom order in the refrigerator: whole fish, whole cuts of beef and pork, ground meats and fish, and whole and ground poultry.
How do I organize my refrigerator like a chef?
Chefs are taught to memorize the mantra "first in, first out," when stocking refrigerator shelves because it helps cut down on food waste. When putting away multiple units of the same food, always put the older unit towards the front, that way you're more likely to use it first.
How does Martha Stewart organize the refrigerator?
First things first: Empty your fridge and craft your new organization layout. The refrigerator is the home base of the kitchen....How to Organize Your Refrigerator and Maximize Your Food Storage Space in 5 Easy StepsEmpty Your Fridge. ... Map Out Your Fridge Layout. ... Store All Food in Reusable Containers.More items...•
What should be stored in a fridge door?
Mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo, bottled water, soda, juice all do best in the fridge doors. Why? The doors are the warmest area of the fridge and should be reserved for foods that are most resistant to spoiling.
How do you organize food on top of a fridge?
0:231:30How to Decorate the Top of the Fridge for Storage : Home OrganizingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAfter cleaning off the top of the fridge of all those little dust bunnies I recommend you useMoreAfter cleaning off the top of the fridge of all those little dust bunnies I recommend you use something like a shelf liner. Or even cling wrap to cover the top of the fridge.
Where do you put meat in the fridge?
Store raw meat, poultry and seafood on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator so juices don't drip onto other foods and cause cross-contamination. When thawing meat in the refrigerator meat should be placed on a plate or in a container to prevent juices from contaminating other foods.
Why is it important to organize your fridge?
Organizing your shelves will help you reduce waste because you will know exactly where everything is.
Why is it important to have a well organized refrigerator?
When was the last time you spent way too long trying to find that food item you knew you had somewhere in the back of your fridge? Even if you are short on space, a well-organized refrigerator is essential to keeping your food fresh and saving you time when it comes to planning meals.
How to clean a refrigerator that smells?
Wipe the entire interior down, being careful to use non-abrasive cleaning methods so you don't harm the plastic. Replace the shelves and drawers and store a box of baking soda to help reduce future fridge odors.
How to keep track of what you have in your fridge?
If you want to take your organizational skills to the next level, consider tacking up a dry erase sheet to your fridge. This allows you to keep a running tally of what you have in your fridge without sifting through it. This doesn't need to be a comprehensive list of every single item, but it can be helpful to write down which side veggies you bought this week or what meat products will be going bad soon.
What is the coolest shelf in the fridge?
The Bottom Shelf. Use your bottom shelf for meat or fish. Not only is this is the coolest spot in your fridge so there is less risk of spoilage, but you also won't have to worry about accidental leakage over the rest of your food that causes nasty odors or contamination.
What is the warmest part of a fridge?
Your door is the warmest part of your fridge, so store more stable items here like condiments and jams.
Can you keep meat on the fridge shelf?
This is one of the warmer shelves in your fridge, so avoid keeping any fresh meat here. Instead, consider designating it for leftovers and takeout—stuff you need to eat soon. It is typically the first shelf you see when you open your door, so it's good to keep the foods you reach for often here.
Why is it important to organize your refrigerator?
When you get home from the grocery store, you might be in a hurry to get everything put away and relax, but taking a little extra time to organize your refrigerator properly can extend the life of your food and make it safer.
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
Always make sure the temperature is 40 F or below. If your refrigerator does not have a built-in thermometer, keep a refrigerator/freezer thermometer on one of the shelves to monitor the temperature. As little as two hours above 40 F can render leftovers and many perishable foods unsafe to eat.
How to store yogurt in refrigerator?
Grains and flours —especially whole grain flours—can become rancid over time; store them on the top shelf in airtight containers so they won't absorb moisture and odors. Store open bags of shelled nuts in the refrigerator as well.
How to clean a refrigerator with vinegar?
Prep the Fridge. If you are giving your refrigerator an organizational overhaul, start by removing everything and washing the inside thoroughly. Make a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water in a spray bottle; spray the walls and shelves and wipe them down.
How to label leftovers?
Use chalk markers or sticky labels or tape to label your leftovers with names and dates. You might even add tags to the refrigerator shelves so the whole family will follow through with your organization.
What can I store in a French door refrigerator?
French door refrigerators typically have a deli drawer. Use this drawer to store deli meats, hot dogs and smoked sausages, cheeses, and bacon .
How long can bread be frozen?
Bread: You can freeze bread for up to 3 months, but it will dry out in the refrigerator.
What is the best place to store food in the fridge?
Middle Shelves. The temperature is the most consistent in the middle of your fridge, and it’s the perfect space to store foods that still need to be kept pretty cold but have a lower risk of spoiling. Eggs, deli meats, sour cream and soft cheeses belong here.
What to store in a low humidity drawer?
Store strawberries, pears, grapes, oranges, kiwi and raspberries in the low-humidity drawer. Or, if there’s no humidity control or air vent, keep the drawer cracked slightly to create more airflow.
Why are there drawers in my fridge?
The drawers in your fridge aren’t only there to help you stay organized. They usually hold specific humidity levels geared toward preserving different types of foods. Let’s break down what belongs where in terms of humidity.
Why is it important to organize food?
Once you’ve got everything organized, your foods will last longer and, possibly more importantly, be easier to grab for whipping up busy weeknight dinners, awesome desserts, happy breakfasts and every little snack in between.
Where to store snacks and dips?
These items have a low risk for spoiling, so they’re safe to store at the top of the fridge, where the temperature tends to be higher-plus, conveniently, this tends to be where you’re most likely to grab anything at eye-level for a quick midnight snack. These shelves are “in sight, in mind,” so it’s a good idea to store foods you know you need to eat ASAP up here. ( Here’s how long your leftovers really last.)
Where is milk best stored?
You may be tempted to keep that gallon of milk on the top shelf for easy access, but milk holds best near the bottom and back of the fridge, where it’s typically the coldest. This goes for other liquids and softer dairy items, too, like yogurt, half-and-half, Brie and cottage cheeses.
What to do before organizing a refrigerator?
Before you go into full-on organization mode, you will want to clean and disinfect every surface on the inside of your fridge. This has more than just aesthetic benefits, as a sanitized fridge means less chance of foodborne illnesses and contamination.
Why is it important to organize the fridge?
This is why fridge organization is so important! When you’re hungry, you don’t want to spend time hunting for the right ingredient. You want to reach inside the fridge and easily find the item you’re looking for.
How to keep fridge clean?
Keep them cleaner, longer by placing a layer of paper towels at the bottom of the drawers before loading them with fruits and veggies. The paper towels will collect little bits of broccoli or onion peels that tend to fall off over time. Replace them every two weeks to make cleaning a breeze.
How to disinfect a refrigerator?
To easily disinfect your refrigerator, follow these steps: Empty the fridge entirely. Take everything out of the fridge so that you can easily wipe away dirt, stains or hardened spills. You can also work in sections if you’re worried about your food going bad.
How to make your crisper last longer?
Like we mentioned earlier, knowing how to properly use your humidity settings on your crisper will help your fruits and veggies last longer. You can set the humidity from high to low on most fridges, so set one drawer to high humidity and one to low.
How to sanitize a fridge?
Take a disinfecting wipe or some paper towels and disinfecting spray and sanitize all surfaces of your fridge. This includes inside the door compartments and all shelf levels. Take the drawers out and let them soak in some hot, soapy water before wiping them down and putting them back in.
What to do with a lazy Susan in the fridge?
The back of your fridge can become a black hole where food items get lost until long past their expiration date. Keep all food products easily accessible with a lazy Susan! Traditionally used in the spice cabinet, lazy Susans are useful in the fridge as well. Keep things like opened jars, snacks or condiments on top and spin the disk as needed to reach the item you need.
What does it mean when a refrigerator is organized?
When a refrigerator is organized, you won’t have to dig around to find something to cook or snack on. It makes you more excited to open the door, which means you’ll end up wasting less of the food inside. By: Vivian Jao. Related To: How To.
How long can you keep leftovers in the fridge?
Leftovers should be eaten within three or four days, so if you don’t remember making or buying it that week, chuck it.
Why is it important to keep your pantry organized?
Keeping your pantry organized will help with menu planning and shopping. A quick glance will tell you what you need and what you have space for.
Where is the coldest place in the fridge?
moodboard. Stacked products in open fridge. 1: The coldest spots in your fridge are in the back near the freezer compartment. Check your individual fridge with a refrigerator thermometer to see which shelf is the coldest. Keep milk, dairy, eggs (in their cartons) and raw meat in that area.
Where to put tomato sauce in fridge?
7: Place items that need to be used up, like tomato sauce, toward the front of the fridge.
What is the center of a home?
The kitchen is the center of most homes, making it the most heavily trafficked room and a target for dust, grime and general buildup. Kick off spring cleaning by zeroing in on basic zones for a better kitchen . How to Clean Any Stainless Steel Kitchen Countertop Appliance.
How to organize a refrigerator?
Like with most organization projects, it's best to start from scratch. Empty out as much of the refrigerator as possible; spread packaged products across the kitchen countertops or clean surfaces so you can see everything before deciding what deserves a place back in the fridge in a thorough edit. "Toss expired food ," advises Sirianni. "Especially those old condiments and forgotten frozen meals, [because] that makes room for items you're currently eating."
How to keep refrigerator organized?
Part of keeping an organized refrigerator happens when you're nowhere near the fridge, but while you're perusing grocery store aisles. Too often, when the groceries are brought home, the new supply goes right in front. But by stocking things back-to-front, expired or soon-to-expire products can be resurfaced as a reminder to either discard or use before they go bad to help keep a clean and organized setup. " [For prepared leftovers,] stick the dates of preparation on the containers, and push to the front of the fridge whatever containers are oldest to use first," says Nass.
Can you put half eaten takeout in the refrigerator?
It's easy to stick half-eaten takeout into the refrigerator and forget about it, but that thinking is a reason why you need to learn how to organize your refrigerator in the first place. Make your fridge work for you—anything going into it should be conforming to your storage system —so be ready with your own containers. "Store food in reusable containers ," offers Nass. "From my restaurant days, I'm most comfortable using quart containers—they stack nicely, and they're clear so you can see inside."
Is a refrigerator a top to bottom job?
Experts agree it's a top-to-bottom job. The refrigerator is the home base of the kitchen. It's a place that you want to be in and out of quickly, and that's true whether you're grabbing ingredients for a family dinner or you're on the hunt for a snack.
Can you refrigerate bread?
Bread? In the refrigerator? Maybe in the freezer, but our bakery recommends never refrigerating bread. Martha, I thought you knew better.
Can you adjust the shelving in a refrigerator?
Remember, most refrigerators can adjust the shelving to make space for your specific needs," says Sirianni. That way, you're not removing pickles and condiments at the end of the day to get to that cold-water bottle that gradually made its way to the back of the fridge.
Group similar items together with clear storage bins
If you’re already using storage bins to cut back on clutter in your closet, using storage bins in your fridge will feel like second nature. Storage bins might look weird in your fridge at first, but they’re one of the easiest ways to reduce visual clutter, group similar groceries together, and sort loose items like vegetables.
Dedicate a storage bin for soon-to-expire items
Instead of pushing groceries that will expire soon toward the back of your fridge, dedicate a clear storage bin for them. This way, you’ll be able to easily keep track of the items instead of forgetting about them. Plus, when they pass their expiration date, you can throw them away to free up space in your fridge.
Designate each door section
The refrigerator door is the warmest part of the fridge, so you should avoid storing leftovers, meat, or dairy there. Although many people store eggs and milk in the door, warmer temperatures can cause these items to expire more quickly.
Use a lazy Susan to create more space
A lazy Susan isn’t just a simple and affordable way to maximize your countertop space—it can also create extra space in your fridge. If you have a lot of loose items, such as apple sauce cups, yogurts, and baby food, adding a lazy Susan to your fridge will allow you to group everything together and minimize clutter.
Clean your refrigerator regularly
To optimize your refrigerator space, it’s essential to clean your fridge regularly. Think about it: The messier the inside of your fridge, the more clutter you’ll accumulate, and the more stress you’ll experience each time you open the door.
Why is it important to have an organized refrigerator?
(Try not to get lost in the perfectly placed peppers above.) But actually, an organized fridge also saves time and money. If you know exactly what's inside, grocery shopping and mealtimes become way more efficient, with less food waste and unpleasant smells.
Where should milk go on the shelf?
Most people keep milk on the top shelf or in the door but it should go on the back of the bottom shelf where it's coldest. Same goes for eggs: Store eggs in their original cartons on middle or top shelves where temperatures are more consistent. Reserve the fridge door for condiments, butters, soft cheeses, and processed juices.
Why do you put snacks in bins for kids?
If you have young children, stick their go-to snacks at eye level so they can easily grab them without making a mess. You can reserve a special bin for each kid or throw all the snacks in one spot for people to pick from because, well, sharing is caring.
Can you transfer leftovers to glass containers?
Transfer leftovers from flimsy cardboard boxes to these glass food storage containers. Since they're clear, you'll see exactly what food you already have ... before you order another round of fried rice.
How to organize your fridge?
Does anyone love looking at plastic bags and cardboard boxes? I think not. Go ahead and remove the packaging around your fruit, eggs, cups of yogurt, cans of sparkling water, etc. Then, use clear matching containers to corral and organize your items by category . This will help your fridge look more uniform and ensure that you can see exactly what's available. And if you have a surplus of condiments (I know I do), consider using a small lazy Susan for everyday essentials, like ketchup and mustard.
What should I keep in my refrigerator?
So, you should keep condiments in the door, dairy products, eggs and spreads on the upper shelves, meats and milk on the lowest shelf and fruits and vegetables in the crisper. (More on that in a moment.) But by putting everything in its proper place, you can help your food last a little longer and avoid spending more at the grocery store.
What keeps food fresh and accessible anywhere in the fridge?
These containers, bins and racks keep food fresh and accessible anywhere in the fridge.
Why put meat on bottom shelf?
Remember what I said about stashing meat and fish on the bottom shelf? Part of the reason that's such a wonderful idea is that if those brown paper-wrapped packages leak, the juice won't drip down onto everything else. You can also make cleanup a breeze by adding liners to your shelf and crispers. The package above features three ribbed liners, which will help air circulate around your food and ward off mold and mildew.
