How to Organize Your Fridge

Don’t leave your food stuck in the friend zone. Fridges are designed with different temperature zones, each serving a unique purpose. By storing your food in specific ways, you could maximize freshness and reduce the risk of spoilage. 

Here’s a breakdown on how to organize your fridge: 

• Top Shelf: This shelf is usually the least cold, so it’s ideal for foods that don’t need to be stored at the lowest temperatures. These include prepared leftovers, drinks, and ready-to-eat foods like yogurt, cheese, or deli meats. 
  
  
• Middle Shelf: This is where the temperature is most consistent and ideal for storing dairy products, eggs, and leftovers. It's also a good place to store open jars of sauces or condiments. 
  
  
• Bottom Shelf: The coldest part of your fridge is the bottom shelf, which is perfect for storing raw meats, poultry, and seafood temporarily. This helps prevent any potential cross-contamination with other foods while ensuring these items stay at a safe temperature. Make sure to cook or freeze your meat within 5 days, or within 2 days for poultry and seafood, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. 
  
  
• Crisper Drawers: These drawers are specifically designed to create a more humid environment to help preserve fruits and vegetables. However, fruits and vegetables should be stored separately because fruits release ethylene gas, which can speed up the ripening of veggies. Store leafy greens, root vegetables, and other fresh produce here, ensuring each item has plenty of airflow. 
  
  
• Fridge Door(s): This is the warmest part of the fridge, so it’s not ideal for highly perishable items. Use this space for condiments, dressings, and sauces, as these items are less sensitive to temperature fluctuations. 

Great minds think alike — one of the most efficient ways to organize your fridge is to group foods together by type, which may help extend their shelf life. 

Here’s a quick guide: 

• Dairy: Dairy products like milk, butter, and cheese are best stored on the middle shelves, where the temperature is more stable. Keeping them towards the back of the shelf will help them stay cool and fresh for longer. Cheese, especially hard cheeses, can last longer when kept at a consistent temperature. 
  
  
• Meats and Seafood: Always store raw meats and seafood on the bottom shelf in a dedicated sheet pan or on a plate to catch any potential leaks. It’s important to store these foods at a safe temperature to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses. 
  
  
• Fruits and Vegetables: Keep these in crisper drawers and separate by type. Hardier vegetables like carrots, celery, and cabbage can go in one drawer, while fruits like berries, apples, and citrus can be placed in the other. This setup helps preserve their texture and flavor as fruits give off ethylene gas, which can prematurely ripen and spoil vegetables. 
  
  
• Leftovers: It’s a good idea to keep leftovers in clear containers so you can quickly see what’s inside. Place them on the middle shelf for easy access, and try to consume them within a few days to reduce the risk of waste. 
  
  
• Beverages: Store beverages such as water, juice, or soda on the top shelves or in the door if you don’t drink them often. Because the door experiences temperature fluctuations, it’s not ideal for beverages that require consistent coolness, but it’s fine for drinks you’re likely to consume quickly. 

Foraging is for when you're lost in the mountains — keep your most-used items in easy reach so you’ll never have to dig for your food. 

A few items to note: 

• Snacks and Quick Meals: If you’re someone who regularly reaches for snacks or quick meals like hummus, pre-cut vegetables, or deli meats, store these items on the middle shelf or in a designated snack bin for easy access.
   
• Condiments and Sauces: Rather than having to search through your fridge every time you need ketchup or mustard, keep these items organized in the door or in a dedicated condiment shelf. Arrange them by frequency of use to keep your routine smooth. 
  
  
• Breakfast Items: If you often grab eggs, butter, or cream cheese in the mornings, keep these on the middle shelf or towards the front. This will save you time during the morning rush. 

We’ve all been there — you open the fridge for a yummy snack, only to catch a whiff of something not-so-appetizing. Regular maintenance not only keeps your fridge looking great but also ensures you don’t have old or expired items taking up valuable space. 

Here’s how to stay on top of it: 

• Check Expiration Dates: Set aside time once every week or two to go through your fridge and check for expired or spoiled items. While many foods can last longer than their “use by” or “best before” dates, it’s always a good idea to stay on top of these dates, particularly for perishable items like dairy, meats, and pre-prepared meals. 
  
  
• Wipe Down Shelves: At least once a month, give the shelves, drawers, and door compartments a thorough wipe-down. Food spills and crumbs can accumulate quickly, creating an environment for bacteria and mold. Use warm soapy water and a clean cloth to give your fridge a gentle scrub. 
  
  
• Keep Track of Leftovers: Leftovers can easily get lost in the back of your fridge. To avoid the dreaded “mystery container,” label each one with the date it was stored, so you know when it’s time to toss it out. If you have a busy week, use a container with a lid to group together leftovers to keep your fridge neat and easy to navigate. 

Even if you’ve got a petite fridge, there’s always space for organization. Consider using clear storage bins, lazy Susans, and stackable racks to create more space and keep smaller items from getting lost. 

For example: 

• Clear Storage Bins: Use clear bins for storing similar items (like snacks, cheese, or fruits), so you can quickly grab what you need without rummaging through the fridge. 
  
  
• Stackable Organizers: These help you utilize vertical space, making it easier to organize and access items without overcrowding shelves. 

Organizing your fridge is so satisfying, and the results go beyond aesthetics. By understanding how your fridge’s temperature zones work and grouping similar foods together, you can keep ingredients fresh and reduce waste — a win for you and your food!