Bekki is sharing tips for how to organize your refrigerator and how to keep it organized.
How to Organize Your Refrigerator
The first thing on your list when trying to organize your refrigerator is to clean it out. I actually have a clean out day every two weeks just before I complete my grocery shopping. It will make it much easier to put your groceries away when you start out fresh. Check all leftovers and if anything is questionable toss it. Wipe down all drawers, shelves and walls of your fridge quickly to avoid causing loss of cold air.
Once you have everything wiped down it's time to do a little organization. If you have drawers in your fridge you will want to keep them organized and tidy. Designate one for fruit, another for veggies and one for cold cuts and cheeses. Often times we can fit our fruits and veggies in one drawer and I use the last drawer for water bottles and soda. We tend to keep a lot of our fruit in a giant bowl on our counter to save valuable space in the fridge.
Milk and eggs should always be kept in a cooler area of your refrigerator. It is not good to keep these in the door because this is a zone that drops in temperature every time you open it. It's best to be on the safe side and keep them in the middle of the fridge with plenty of breathing room around them.
Condiments do well in the door of the fridge. Check them often and try to keep them grouped together for easy access. Mustard, ketchup, mayo and pickles are in a group in my fridge door as well as jams and jellies. Condiments do have a long shelf life but if they have been in your fridge for over a year you might want to think about replacing them.
Raw meats can cross contaminate your other foods so keep them wrapped tightly in a leak proof container near the bottom of your fridge. Never put them near your fresh fruits and veggies!
Keeping leftovers on a shelf by themselves will help you keep them organized and also make it easier to keep an eye on their expiration dates. Placing them in clear containers will help you know what is in there and help keep things from getting lost. Label all leftovers either with the date they were cooked or the date they are going to expire. Most leftovers will keep well for 4 days and then you will want to go ahead and toss them.
How to Keep Your Refrigerator Organized
Now that you have your refrigerator clean and organized let's talk about keeping it that way. Always clean up spills right away! It only takes a few minutes and will save you loads of time later scraping off the sticky residue. Keep an eye on your leftovers, one rule to remember is when in doubt, throw it out! Using similar sized containers with lids can help keep things at eye level and will aid in stacking things in your fridge. Most refrigerators have a shelving system that you can move around. Test out different options and find what works best for you and your family.
What tips do you have to organize your refrigerator and keep it that way?
More Kitchen Organization Tips
- How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen
- 5 Easy Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen
- Organization Tips for Small Kitchens
- How to Keep Track of Kitchen Inventory
- Eco-Friendly Tips for Going Green in the Kitchen
Bekki is a forty something Christian mother of two beautiful girls (a teen and a toddler). Who enjoys cooking, organizing, photography and writing. She has been blogging for around 3 years and can be found at Domestic Mommyhood a website dedicated to fabulous recipes,crafts and anything and everything to do with family and children.
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