Organizing Tips and Tricks for the Fridge

I am in LOVE with this guest post! I am all about keeping things organized and these are some GREAT tips and tricks on doing just that…. in the FRIDGE!!!! Enjoy!

Today’s Guest Post comes from Jessi Snow who is a writer, do-it-yourselfer and organizing nut from Eastern Canada. She blogs for PartSelect.com where she works as a Community Coordinator and spends her days helping homeowners with their DIY repairs.

An organized refrigerator is a crucial part of a functional kitchen for any family. Keeping the fridge organized and clean can become a regular chore that the whole family can participate in. With a few easy tips and tricks, any family can keep their fridge’s contents sorted so they know exactly what is inside.

Organization Starts at the Grocery Store

The first step of proper fridge organization begins at the grocery store. To reduce overflow and potential waste, families should only purchase what they need. It’s important for a busy family to always have plenty of food on hand for an impromptu dinner, but too much food leads to overcrowding and waste. It is difficult to organize the shelves when a person can’t even fit every item comfortably inside.

Everything Has a Place

A well-organized fridge has a set place for every possible food item. This depends on the type and size of the fridge. Many fridges have drawers at the bottom that are ideal for fruits and vegetables. The inside of the fridge door is usually a great place to put condiments such as mayonnaise and ketchup. Families should keep the middle shelf full of snack items for the youngest members to easily reach. Large items should be kept near the back on the top shelves so that they don’t block people from scanning the shelves contents. Additionally, this reduces the chance of someone accidentally knocking an item over and potentially creating a sticky mess.

Image via I Heart Organizing

Food Safety

It’s important that every item in a fridge be placed in the proper area to maintain food safety. Eggs, as an example, should be kept in the coolest part of the fridge and not on the inside of the door. Raw meat should be kept separate from fruits, vegetables and anything else that someone might grab and eat without washing. Meat should also be kept in the coldest areas of the fridge to ensure the meat stays at a safe temperature. After a grocery store trip, the shopper should wash the fruits and vegetables before placing them in the fridge.

Storage Containers

Storage containers are useful for keeping items grouped together in the fridge. Clear storage containers allow people to quickly scan the contents of the container without opening it. A bowl with a tinfoil lid can lead to some unfortunate surprises when the contents begin to age and mold. Families can also label each storage container to keep track of the contents and leftovers. Additionally, families should regularly wash the storage containers in the dishwasher after each use.

Image via Better Homes & Gardens

Keeping a List

Many families keep a list of the fridge’s staple contents on the outside of the fridge door. This includes items such as milk, eggs, butter and other frequently consumed products. When one item runs out, the responsible family member makes note of it on the fridge. This helps the family’s grocery shopper make a fast list for the next grocery store trip.

Weekly Cleanup

It’s important for families to go through the contents of their fridge on a regular schedule. Twice a month is acceptable, but once a week is ideal. Frequent checking ensures that old food is long gone before it begins to leave an unfortunate odor in the fridge. This is also a great way to make sure leftovers are eaten and expired food is promptly tossed into the garbage. A weekly cleanup is an ideal time for families to make sure the proper organization rules are being followed. Regular fridge cleanup should be part of weekly chores.

As you can see keeping the fridge organized, clean and safe isn’t as hard as it may seem. In fact, just a few small changes can make all the difference in the world! I hope you’ve learned a thing or two today and have some great ideas you can put to use right in your own home. Thanks so much to Jennie and Kim for giving me the opportunity to share my tips here today and to all of you for reading.

Happy Organizing!