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By Cynthia Lawrence published 28 July 22
How to organize your fridge the right way
If you often fill every inch of your fridge after going to the grocery store, you’ll probably need to know how to organize your fridge. Not only will it make things easier to find, but storing foods in the right temperature zones will make foods last longer.
It’s always disheartening when your favorite food (that you’d been looking forward to tucking into!), has gone bad quickly. Or you’ve forgotten about the expired foods at the back of your fridge.
Knowing how to organize your fridge properly means wasting less food, saving you money in the long-run. So before you throw out any more spoiled food, follow these 5 tips to organize your fridge and make food last longer.
If you want a bigger fridge or upgrade, check out the best refrigerators before you buy. While you’re organizing, these are 3 reasons why you shouldn’t overfill your freezer.
1. Store leftovers and drinks on the upper shelves This area is best to store ready-to-eat foods that have a shorter shelf life. These include yogurt, cheese, deli meats, and any leftover meals. Keep any opened jars, condiments and chilled drinks on the top shelves.
2. Keep raw ingredients on the lower shelf This is the coolest part of the fridge, so it's the best place to store raw ingredients for cooking. These include packaged raw meat, fish, dairy products and other perishables. Always ensure raw meats/food are tightly wrapped with plastic film, or in an airtight container to avoid bacteria.
3. Avoid mixing fruit and veggies in the crisper The crisper drawer in your fridge is the ideal place for fresh produce. However, avoid putting fruit and vegetables next to each other. This is because ethylene from fruits can result in vegetables spoiling quickly. So if your fridge doesn’t have two crisper drawers, keep your fruit and veggies separate. Ensure leafy greens are wrapped well or in a sealed plastic bag to maintain their freshness.
4. Don’t store milk or eggs in the door The refrigerator door is the warmest part of the fridge, so only condiments should be stored here. While most of us store our milk or eggs in the door, it’s recommended these should be placed on the lower shelf, as this is the coolest part of the fridge. Other items such as sauces, butter, and less perishable groceries are suitable for door storage.
5. Use clear food storage containers Organize and group ingredients or meals in clear storage containers like these 32 Piece Food Storage Containers Set ($29, Amazon (opens in new tab) ) Not only will this keep it fresh for longer, but you can instantly see exactly what you need to eat. If you want to go one step further, label each container by type of food or expiration date.
Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.
Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.
With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!
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