Refrigerator Organization

Are you struggling with an overflowing, disarranged refrigerator?  Time to clean it out!  It’s a formidable challenge that often leads to putting it off.  My refrigerator beeps when the door is open for too long, so I put a piece of tape over it while I am working.   Having an organized refrigerator boosts your shelf space; it is much easier to see what you have and helps you find things quickly.   Have you ever dug through your fridge looking for something, and you come across leftovers from a month ago that you forgot were there because they were lost in the chaos?

When you can see all your food at once, you avoid duplicate items, and you will be more likely to use those leftovers.  So, it saves money over time.     Storing your items in clear packaging saves you time and removes the guesswork.   Either glass or plastic clear containers are a must.   I prefer square containers to round.  I just feel like round containers waste space, but to each their own.

Store food that needs to be eaten up front and rearrange fridge shelves semi-regularly to keep foods nearing expiration up front.  This will help reduce waste, save money by throwing out spoiled food, and prevent unpleasant odors from forming.  Make sure to label your leftovers so there is no guessing.   I like painters’ tape; it is easy to remove and doesn’t leave residue.     It’s easy for food to get pushed to the back, where it is forgotten.    Silicone food bags, along with a clear storage bin with adjustable dividers, are a great way to store small portions like leftovers.  Place your frequently used items in an easy-to-reach location in the refrigerator.   For our family, it’s taco sauce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and pickles.  We keep these items on the door, along with salad dressing and steak sauce.

Position refrigerator shelving to maximize space and tailor the space to your needs.   It may take a few tries to get the perfect arrangement.  Occasionally, revisit the setup to make sure it’s still working for what you’re buying.   Moving the remainder of partially used boxes and bags into smaller containers and bags will save space. Remember to label them.

When it comes to drinks in the refrigerator, there are many kinds of holders for cans and bottles available on the market.   Find what works for your family.