How many times do you open the refrigerator on a given day? The average American opens the fridge 22 times a day. How often does someone in your family say they can’t find something that you know is actually in the refrigerator? Do you ever feel a tad embarrassed when a guest opens your refrigerator?
It’s true, filling space with groceries can easily take precedence over appearance and function when it comes to the fridge. However, with upfront planning, you can get – and keep – your refrigerator neat and organized.
Organizing the Refrigerator Step-by-Step
Follow these six steps to get your refrigerator organized. The end goals are functionality and maintainability: being able to find what you are looking for when you need it and keeping your food fresh.
Our tips can also help keep the appearance tidy and maximize space. With an organized refrigerator, cooking, meal planning, and grocery shopping all become easier. Let’s get started!
1. Set Aside the Time
Set aside some time to do the job right. You don’t want to feel rushed. Acknowledge you’re making an investment of time in a task that will bring rewards for everyone in the family.
2. Start with a Clean Slate
A core principle at Getting it Done Organizing is to start with a clean slate. Remove everything from the refrigerator. Throw out anything that has expired. Use disinfectant wipes or spray to wipe down all surfaces and clean out crumbs, sticky messes, or bacteria.
3. Establish “Zones” for Your Food
Group like items together. Designate areas for sauces, condiments, grab-and-go snacks, cheese, fruits, vegetables, leftovers, and drinks.
- Consider accessibility: Place kids’ snacks low enough for self-serving.
- Prioritize frequency: Place commonly used items in the front of the shelves.
- Food Safety: Milk and meat should be placed low, in the coldest area.
- The Door: These shelves are great for easy-to-grab snacks and condiments.
4. Invest in Smart Storage
We recommend using clear containers so you can easily see contents. Find what works for your family. We like tall cups for cheese sticks and long bins for apples.
- Produce Keepers: These keep foods like lettuce fresh longer and are generally great for stacking.
- Beverage Dispensers: These save space and make for easy access to cans.
- Drawer Dividers: These are excellent for separating items in large drawers.
- Lazy Susans: These work wonders in deep spaces to prevent jars from getting “lost” in the back.
- Uniform Food Storage: Invest in matching, square, or rectangular containers to maximize space better than round ones.
- Labels: Don’t be afraid to use labels in the refrigerator. They can help everyone – young and old – recall what goes where.
5. Commit to a Deep Cleaning Schedule
Commit to a deep cleaning every few months. The job will be much easier after the first time because of your new organizational system. If you stay on a regular cleaning cadence, you’ll find you have fewer expired items to toss!
6. Establish the Habit with Your Family
Educate everyone on the zones and ask for their help in keeping the order. Create a habit where items go back to the same place every time. Don’t switch things around on everybody – consistency is the key to maintenance!
Ready to Reset Your Kitchen?
Looking for some encouragement before you begin? Check out my appearance on WFAA’s morning show where I gave a full Refrigerator Organization 101 rundown!
Taking the time to organize your refrigerator this week is a small investment that pays off every single time you open that door. But if your kitchen feels like it needs more than just a fridge refresh, we are here to help.
From pantry makeovers to full kitchen resets, our team specializes in creating systems that work for busy Dallas families.
Learn more about our services or click here to book your consultation and let’s transform your kitchen together!
