New year, new fridge?! Well… it’s not really a “new” fridge but an organized system sure makes it feel like a new fridge. But more importantly, a functional fridge can help you stay on track with your new year resolutions, i.e., healthier meal choices, less food waste, and saves you money in the long run! Tackling your fridge can seem like an overwhelming and daunting project, so here is a step-by-step guide on how to best organize your fridge:
Step 1: EMPTY THE FRIDGE
If you have a back-up fridge, then transfer everything out to make the cleaning process easier. If you don’t have the extra space for it, consider doing it in small sections at a time. It’s currently freezing cold here this winter, so I was able to utilize my deck area as my outdoor fridge (just be sure it’s in an enclosed area to keep any animals or strays away). Check the expiration date on all your items and toss out whatever is expired. This is also a great time to wipe down the condiments before storing it back into the fridge.
Step 2: CLEAN THE FRIDGE
If possible, remove all of the compartments and wash it with soap and warm water. Then wipe down the interior of the fridge with soap and water or with a mild cleaning solution. I would avoid any harsh cleaning products since it will leave a strong chemical smell in the fridge and you don’t want that with your food. If your fridge allows the flexibility to move your shelves and compartments around – consider doing this to accommodate the space for your organizers and bins.
Step 3: PLAN THE LAYOUT
This step requires a little planning and possibly taking some measurements if you want to be extra sure before buying the organizer bins. You should store similar foods with each other into one area of the fridge; hence “organizing”.
Here are some suggestions on where certain types of foods should be stored:
- Leftovers – top of the fridge; easy to see to make sure it gets eaten: FIFO – first in, first out!
- Meats – raw meats should always be stored on the lowest shelf or compartment to prevent meat juices from spilling onto other food.
- Dairy – milk and such should be stored towards the back of the fridge, as opposed to the side doors since the doors are the warmest parts of the fridge from all the cold air escaping as we open/close the doors.
- Condiments – best to store these on the fridge doors since they have a long shelf life.
Step 4: BUY THE ORGANIZERS
There are tons of organizers out there but just remember to stick to clear bins since you want all the food to be visible. Major retailers that sell these organizers are The Container Store (most variety, high quality, but also expensive), Costco (great value package deals but can be a hit or miss depending on location), HomeGoods (also hit or miss but affordable finds), and Amazon (a good variety to choose from and fairly reasonable prices).
Here are some suggested containers:
- Egg holder – all the egg holders work best with jumbo-sized eggs; smaller eggs are harder to grab out of the egg containers
- Air-vent produce/fruit containers – air vents allow the food to stay fresh longer and it also has a water tray. The water tray can either catch the water (then dump) to prevent moisture or you can add water to allow moisture on some foods that require it
- Stackable bins w/ lids – great for maximizing all the fridge space since they can be stacked on top of each other. The dividers also work great to separate your items.
- Lazy Susan – these turntables are great for easy access to your condiments or drinks that are stored on harder to reach area
- Variety pack – I have this 4-pc set from Costco; great for small snacks like kids applesauce pouches and juice boxes. Also good to hold soda/beer cans and the larger bin can hold produce or other ad hoc items
- Cutout handles – this is also another variety pack and my favorite feature is the cutout handles to easily pull in and out of the fridge. I use the smaller bins for the fridge and the larger bins for the pantry
- Mason jars – add a little bit of water and store your herbs this way and they will last so much longer
- Food storage – clear containers for leftovers or meal prep
- Fridge Starter Kit – if you’re not too worried about the budget and want one easy single purchase, then The Container Store carries an entire fridge starter kit. My favorite fridge organizer that they carry includes the small drawer bins that slides in/out easily
Step 5: STOCK UP/RESTOCK
The most exciting step: putting all your food items into these organizer bins! Just know that this is a trial and error step and it’s okay to change your mind if a certain organizer bin doesn’t work for your food item you had in mind. Have fun with this step!
Step 6: MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM
In order for the fridge to stay organized – you and your household members must maintain the system! Be sure to stock your food into its organized areas right when you come home from the grocery to prevent pile up of random things. And don’t be afraid to make some tweaks to your system for better functionality. Happy organizing!
FTC: this post is not sponsored. Some of the links above may contain affiliate links but it comes at ZERO extra cost to you. Thank you for your genuine support.
