7 Hacks To Keep Your Fridge Clean And Organized

A clean and organized fridge looks better and helps keep your food fresh for longer. However, maintaining a tidy fridge can be challenging with busy schedules and hectic lifestyles. Luckily, you can transform your refrigerator into an orderly and efficient space with a few simple hacks and strategies. This blog post will explore easy-to-implement tips to keep your fridge clean, organized, and hassle-free.

Regularly Check Expiration Dates

Regularly checking expiration dates is crucial for maintaining a safe and organized fridge. By keeping track of expiration dates on food items, you can ensure that you consume products before they spoil and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Make it a habit to inspect expiration dates when stocking your fridge and during regular cleanouts. Discard any expired items to prevent consuming potentially harmful food and keep your fridge clutter-free. This simple practice will help you maintain a healthier and more efficient refrigerator.

Use Clear Storage Bins

Using clear storage bins in your fridge is a smart and practical way to keep it organized. Clear bins allow you to see the contents inside without opening them, making it easier to find what you need and preventing food items from getting lost or forgotten at the back of the fridge. Additionally, clear bins help to contain spills and leaks, making cleanup quick and effortless. By categorizing food items in clear bins based on types or usage, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, or leftovers, you can create designated spaces for each category, maximizing storage space and maintaining orderliness. Investing in clear storage bins for your fridge is a simple yet effective solution to keep your refrigerator tidy and well-organized.

Optimize Shelf Space

Optimizing shelf space in your fridge is essential for efficient organization. By strategically arranging items on shelves, you can maximize storage capacity and ensure easy access to food items. Here are some tips to help you optimize shelf space:

1. Use adjustable shelves: Many refrigerators have adjustable shelves that can be moved to accommodate items of different heights. Adjust the shelf heights based on the size of the items you need to store to make the most of the available space.
2. Stack items vertically: Instead of laying items flat on the shelves, stack them vertically to use the shelf’s full height. This is especially useful for storing containers like beverage bottles or jars.
3. Group similar items together: Keep similar items together on the same shelf to create designated storage zones. For example, group all dairy products on one shelf and fruits and vegetables on another. This makes it easier to locate items and prevents overcrowding.
4. Use shelf organizers: Invest in shelf organizers or dividers to create additional storage layers within the fridge. These organizers can help you separate different types of food items and keep them neatly organized.
5. Utilize door shelves: Pay attention to the door shelves as valuable storage space. Use them to store condiments, sauces, and other small items that don’t require refrigeration.

Keep It Fresh with Baking Soda

Keeping your fridge fresh with baking soda is a simple and effective way to eliminate odours and maintain a clean environment. Here’s how to use baking soda to keep your fridge smelling fresh:

1. Place an open box of baking soda on a shelf: Open a fresh box and place it on one of the shelves in your fridge. The baking soda will absorb any odours lingering in the air, keeping your fridge smelling clean and fresh.
2. Replace the baking soda regularly: Baking soda gradually loses its effectiveness over time as it absorbs odours. To ensure maximum freshness, replace the box of baking soda every 1-3 months or as needed.
3. Use baking soda sachets: If you prefer a more discreet option, create small sachets filled with baking soda to place around your fridge. Fill small pouches or sachets with baking soda and put them on various shelves or compartments within the refrigerator.
4. Refresh with vinegar: For stubborn odours, refresh the baking soda by spraying it with water and vinegar. Spray the baking soda lightly with the vinegar solution and allow it to dry before placing it back in the fridge.
5. Clean spills and messes promptly: To prevent odours from developing in the first place, clean up spills and messes promptly. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and walls with water and mild detergent to keep your fridge clean and odour-free.

Clean Spills Immediately

Cleaning spills immediately is essential to maintaining a clean and hygienic fridge. Here’s why and how to do it:

1. Prevents odour and bacteria buildup: Spills, especially of perishable foods, can lead to unpleasant odours and promote the growth of bacteria in your fridge. Cleaning spills promptly can prevent these issues and keep your fridge smelling fresh.
2. Maintains food safety: Spills can contaminate other foods in your fridge, compromising their safety and quality. Cleaning spills immediately helps prevent cross-contamination and ensures your food stays safe.
3. Makes cleaning easier: The longer spills sit in your fridge, the harder they can be to clean. By tackling spills as soon as they occur, you can avoid stubborn stains and make cleaning quicker and easier.

To clean spills in your fridge immediately, follow these steps:

1. Act quickly: As soon as you notice a spill, take action to clean it up. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to remove.
2. Remove affected items: Take out any food or containers affected by the spill and set them aside.
3. Wipe up the spill: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe up the spill. If the spill is on a shelf or in a drawer, remove the shelf or drawer for easier cleaning.
4. Use a mild detergent: If the spill is stubborn or sticky, use a solution of water and mild detergent to clean it. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the interior of your fridge.
5. Rinse and dry: After cleaning the spill, rinse the area with clean water and dry it thoroughly with a towel or cloth.

Organize Door Shelves Wisely

Organizing door shelves wisely is crucial for maximizing space and maintaining the efficiency of your fridge. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your fridge door storage:

1. Use for condiments and small bottles: The door shelves are best suited for storing spices, sauces, salad dressings, and other small bottles or jars. These items are typically used frequently and are convenient to access on the door.
2. Keep frequently used items at eye level: Place items that you use regularly at eye level on the door shelves for easy access. This could include items like milk, juice, or frequently used condiments.
3. Store heavier items on lower shelves: Since the door shelves are more prone to swinging open when the fridge door is closed, it’s best to avoid storing heavy or fragile items. Instead, use the lower shelves of the fridge for these items to prevent them from falling and potentially causing damage.
4. Avoid storing perishable items: The door shelves are exposed to warmer temperatures compared to the interior of the fridge, making them less suitable for storing perishable items like dairy products, eggs, or meats. These items should be held on the main shelves of the fridge where temperatures are more consistent.
5. Use bins or organizers: Consider using them to group similar items and keep them organized on the door shelves. This can help prevent items from getting lost or buried in the back of the shelves and make it easier to find what you need.
6. Rotate items regularly: To prevent items from expiring or going bad, rotate your stock periodically and check expiration dates. Remove expired or unused items to free up space and keep your fridge door shelves clutter-free.

Rotate Food Items

Rotating food items in your fridge is essential for ensuring that nothing goes to waste and that you’re always using the freshest ingredients. Here’s how to effectively rotate food items in your fridge:

1. First in, first out (FIFO) method: Place new groceries behind older items already in your fridge when storing fresh groceries. This way, you’ll use up the older items first before they expire.
2. Check expiration dates: Regularly inspect the expiration dates of items in your fridge and prioritize using those closest to expiring. This helps prevent food from spoiling and ensures you consume items at their peak freshness.
3. Group similar items together: Keep items in your fridge to make it easier to rotate them. For example, store dairy products in one section, fruits and vegetables in another, and condiments in another.
4. Label containers: Consider labeling containers or packages when opened or purchased. This makes tracking how long items have been in your fridge easy and helps you prioritize using them before they expire.
5. Regularly clean out your fridge: Take time to clean out your fridge regularly to remove any expired or unused items. This helps free up space and ensures that you’re not inadvertently keeping spoiled food in your fridge.
6. Use transparent containers: Opt for transparent containers or storage bins in your fridge to easily see the contents inside. This makes it easier to identify items that need to be used up and helps prevent items from getting lost or forgotten.

Conclusion

With these simple hacks and strategies, you can keep your fridge clean, organized, and clutter-free. Regularly checking expiration dates, using clear storage bins, optimizing shelf space, and practising good cleaning habits can transform your fridge into a well-organized and efficient space that keeps your food fresh and accessible. Incorporate these tips into your routine to enjoy a clean and tidy fridge year-round.