Did you know that an average American household wastes about 31% of food annually…which equals about $1,866 according to the American Journal of Agricultural Economics.
And the number one cause of wasted food is that it goes bad. Meaning it isn’t edible.
Which is why organizing your fridge is so important. When you have an organized fridge, you are able to eat all your food. Because you can see all your food.
This simple guide to cleaning and organizing your fridge will help you keep the food waste down because you have a plan for consuming all the food you purchase!
Clean Everything
The first step to organizing and cleaning your fridge is to actually clean it. That means remove everything from the fridge.
Then wipe each shelf, drawer, and surface clean. Use whatever cleaning products you have to ensure the fridge is disinfected.
If your drawers are removable, take them out and scrub them with soap and water. I try to do this once a season. Like spring cleaning, back to school, and winter break.
Categorize Before You Organize
The next step to cleaning and organizing your fridge is to give each shelf and drawer a category. I like to do this because when food is all grouped together by category, it’s like shopping at the grocery store. You can find what you need based on the type of food you are looking for.
Depending on how your fridge is set up, you can give each individual shelf a category. Or you can give each section a category.
To find the categories, group the food that is currently out of your fridge and probably sitting on a counter or table.
Group the items based on how you use them or by type of food.
Some category ideas:
- Dairy
- Deli
- Bakery
- Condiments
- Meal Prep
- Breads
- Fruits
- Veggies
- Leftovers
- Desserts
- Lunch Prep
Put Items Back
Now that you have grouped the food items, you can put them back on the shelves or in the drawers by category.
I like lining things up like you would find at the grocery store. It makes shopping my fridge much more enjoyable because everything is in perfect lines, grouped together.
And it helps keeping the foods together so I can grab something quickly, without having to search too hard for what I am looking for.
Repeat
And that is how you keep your fridge clean and organized. But it isn’t just a one-and-done type of project. You have to keep things organized daily!
To do that, I suggest doing a mini organizing session after you go to the grocery store. You are already putting things into the fridge, why not tidy things up as you put them away?
Keep the same types of categories together as you put your groceries away. Line things up. And make sure that you pull the older items, like the yogurts to the front and store the new foods behind. This will help you eat the items before they expire!
You can also do daily checks of your fridge. Every time you open your fridge, check to make sure everything is put away in its proper place.
Favorite Products For Cleaning And Organizing Your Fridge
While you truly don’t need product to keep your fridge organized, there are some things I have found helpful. So if you think an item might be helpful in your fridge, then you can add it!
If you want more drawers in your fridge, these stackable ones are perfect! I like adding yogurts and other snacky foods for the kids in them.
These are another great drawer option. Because you add these drawers to shelves, you still get the space for items on the shelf without taking up extra space in a fridge. These are great for smaller fridges and fridges with one or two drawers.
If you are looking for ways to keep things in nice rows, these bins are perfect for that. This option helps family members who riffle through the fridge and don’t tidy up after themselves!
I love using containers to keep my foods fresh. These are some great fresh savers that also stack!
I also love using glass storage containers for our leftovers. You can write on them with a wine pen so you know what is inside and the date you cooked the items!
More Posts On Cleaning And Organizing Your Fridge You Will Love
I go into more specifics for fridge organizing in the posts below.
6 Space-Saving Fridge Organization Hacks
How To Organize A Beverage Fridge
Fridge Organization Ideas Anyone Can Use
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