The holidays are now behind us, and it’s time to start the clean-up! One easy place to begin is in the refrigerator. I tackled this chore today, after clearing out the Christmas and New Year’s left-overs! Here are some tips.
Begin by purging outdated and unsavory foods. Then, wipe down all shelving and bins so they’re squeaky clean. With your fresh slate, keep these storage tips in mind as you return foods to the fridge.
Keep items you use most frequently near the front and at eye level. Encourage healthy eating habits by storing good-for-you foods near the front of the fridge in easy-to-grab containers. Store taller items in the back of the fridge and shorter items in front of them for easy visibility. And don’t forget that you can adjust a fridge’s shelves to maximize space.
Containerize categories of items for easy accessibility. Invest in simple organizing tools, such as a Lazy Susan to hold condiments or a low, open-top bin to corral small jars. (See how I put single-serve juices and mineral water in a bin on the bottom shelf.)
Group similar things together. For example, place all drinks on one shelf, veggies in one drawer, fruits in another, condiments on the shelves in the door, and all dairy together on one shelf.
Place perishables strategically. Items that you store on the door will be subject to slight temperature drops each time you open the door, so opt to place things that don’t spoil easily in this area. Condiments, soda, juice, and open bottles of wine are good in the door. Milk and eggs are not. Generally, the bottom shelf is the coldest, so store your meats (in their original packaging) here. That also helps keep any drips from contaminating foods underneath them. Fruits and veggies give off different types of gases, so don’t store them together. Vegetables go in the crisper, fruits in the fruit drawer. Cold cuts and cheese can go in the deli drawer.
Find leftovers easily. Designate one shelf to store leftovers, and store them in clear containers so you can easily see what you have.
Maintain it. Do a five-minute tidy-up the evening before garbage day, purging anything expired or past its prime. Take 30 minutes today to tidy up your fridge using these easy refrigerator organizing tips. Just a little effort today will lead to healthier eating and less stress!