31 Days of Organizing Tips: Day 11 (Fridges)

Welcome to Day Eleven of the 31 Days of Organizing Tips series! Throughout this series I’m sharing organizing tips to help you on your journey from overwhelmed to organized.

Today’s tips are about organizing your refrigerator. Your fridge is used many times every single day, so it only makes sense to organize it. Yet often we just toss food in anywhere we can find a spot and then have difficulty finding what we’re looking for or we forget we had something and it goes bad. That’s a waste of time and money!

There are lots of styles of fridges, but many of the tips work for any style. Just adapt to fit your style.

Here’s how I organized my fridge several years ago. We’ve had 2 other fridges since then (a side-by side when we moved and a now a bottom freezer because the side-by-side died), but I’m still using some of the same principles.

Here are a few more tips to help you get the most out of your refrigerator:

• Start by taking everything out of your fridge and throwing out anything that is expired or has gone bad.  
• Next, take this opportunity to clean your fridge. Take all your drawers and shelves out and wash them in soapy water.  Wipe down the interior and exterior surfaces, including the doors.  
• Make any adjustments to the levels of the shelves that you want to make (based on how you want to organize things).
• Stop and admire how clean it looks!
• Now for the fun part. Group like items together in drawers, baskets, or containers. That way you can find what you want quickly.  You can also take a whole basket out and put it on the counter or table while you use those foods and then put them all back at once. It also helps you get at things at the back without knocking things over (just pull out a basket from the front to reach the things that are behind!).
• Use clear plastic or glass containers for leftover foods. These containers are durable and you can reuse them over and over.  Plus, you can see what you have and you won’t forget what’s inside a dish. I used to use empty margarine or yogurt containers but I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s ever had to throw out forgotten leftovers that had turned into some kind of nasty science experiment!  
• Clean your fridge out regularly so you it doesn’t become a huge chore.  A quick wipe down of spills when they happen means less of a sticky buildup later.  Before you buy groceries (when your fridge is probably the emptiest), wipe out your baskets and the shelves and drawers to prevent crumbs from accumulating.
• Do the same process for your freezer. I’ve also use baskets in my freezer and I love it!  

Here are some inspirational pictures for you with links to posts containing more great tips for organizing your fridge.  Note: please pin from the original sources!

1.  Samantha at Simply Organized has a beautiful fridge and she talks about why she uses clear containers for her produce.

A clean & organized fridge

2.  Kerry at Squawkfox gives lots of tips and information to help you organize your fridge and she also shares a free printable refrigerator inventory document.

An organized fridge

3.  I love the pretty labels Ginny from Organizing Homelife uses in her fridge. She shared her fridge labels and some blank labels on her blog!  Just click the link below the picture to go there.

Fridge Organization & A Printable

4.  Leslie at Goodbye House, Hello Home used baskets with handles in her fridge.  I love this idea because you can easily grab a basket and put it on the counter and then put it back when you’re finished.  I’m sure it makes food and lunch preparation much easier.

Organized refrigerator

For Day Eleven, organize your fridge. If that feels like an overwhelming task, then break it down and just start with a shelf or two and finish the rest at another time. It doesn’t have to take a long time! And, as in other posts, you also don’t need to spend a lot of money buying baskets or organizing products. Search around your home for containers that you aren’t using and put them to work in your fridge. Then save up for or look for sales on some of the products that will give you the most organizational bang for your buck! Dollar stores are great for these kinds of baskets. And any expenses you have should pay off in not wasting as much food.

How did you do with your pantry yesterday?  What do you think is the greatest benefit of organizing your fridge?  What’s the best organizing tip you’ve implemented?

If you need help decluttering or organizing, contact me for in-person organizing services in the Mississauga area, or virtual organizing services anywhere else. 

Happy organizing!