13 Mind-Blowing Fridge Organization Hacks You Must See
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Fridge is one of the most important items in our kitchens and an absolute essential for a modern person. So why does it often get left out when we think about organizing, cleaning and decorating?
By making sure your fridge is clean and organized, you will also save money by not having to throw out-of-date food away, just because you had forgotten you even had it.
Read below my best tips and tricks for organizing your fridge + I’ll show how I made shelf liners to my fridge with just some napkins and contact paper.
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1 – DIY Fridge Shelf Liner
Fridge shelf liners are handy as they make keeping the fridge clean easy. These are easy and cheap to make, they are wipeable, fully removable and they add some color to your fridge.
- You’ll need some colorful paper, I used paper napkins but any paper with the pattern you like works. You’ll also need scissors and some clear contact paper, I used clear book covering contact paper.
- Cut the right size of contact paper. You can use a pen to trace your shelf to get exact fit (just remember to include some to go over so it will hold), I just cut a simple piece as I’ll be trimming later.
- If you are using a paper napkin, don’t forget to remove the back paper.
- Lay out the paper.
- I misted my napkins a little so they would be flatter and flattened a little bit more with a rolling pin. If you do this, let dry before covering.
- Cover with contact paper and trim the edges. Voila!
If you want easily removable liners that you can take out easily, cut a strong cardboard exactly to the size of your fridge and cover that instead.
Another great way of making shelf liners on a budget is to buy cheap place mats and use them as shelf liners.
2 – Baskets & Storage Containers
Get a few baskets/containers and label them all. Organize the items in groups like veggies in one, fruits in one, condiments in one etc, you get the gist.
I used a desk organizer baskets, but the most optimal option would be clear containers – not only will you get a sleek, uniform look, but it is also quicker and easier to have a quick glance of what you have in your fridge.
Square food containers save space in your fridge and it is easier to see what you have left when you store your food in clear containers like these.
3 – Labeling
Label everything you have in the fridge, easier to quickly check what you have and you’ll also remember better after writing them down.
Keep a roll of painters tape and a pen close by so it is fuss-free as possible.
4 – Magnets
You can hang your bottles from strong magnets to stop them sliding all over.
5 – Lazy Susan
If you have a deep fridge, Lazy Susan is your best friend.
6 – Hang bags with clips
7 – “Eat me first” – box
In order to prevent any food waste, make a “eat me first” box.
8 – Take a photo of the fridge before going shopping
I don’t know about you, but I find myself so many times in a shop thinking if I already had something or not. If you have an organized fridge, taking a quick photo of it before going out will save your trouble.
9 – Safety Tips
Always make sure that your fridge temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit), as after this the amount of bacteria will increase rapidly.
If you have raw meat and seafood, store on the bottom of the fridge, as it is the coldest place of the fridge but also in case a packaging leaks it won’t contaminate your food items beneath it.
The door is also one of the warmest places in the fridge, so avoid storing your milk and eggs there.
When have you last hoovered behind your fridge? Fire officials recommend vacuuming back of the fridge at least once a year – built-up dust could set on fire if the temperature rises at the back of the fridge.
10 – Save energy
Don’t fill your fridge too full – it is hard to see what you have but also the fridge has to work harder to keep the temperature down, especially if any air vents have been blocked. You might also risk your food getting too warm as there is no space for cold air to circulate around it.
Also make sure that there is a big enough gap between your fridge and the wall – otherwise hot air gets trapped there and the fridge has to work harder.
Cleaning Tips
11 – Check dates of your condiments
Most people tend to think that the condiments last the lifetime and I must admit I’m a bit guilty of this myself… Next time you clean your fridge, just have a quick look at the expiry dates, just to be on the safe side.
12 – Use only food-safe cleaners
To clean your fridge, only use food-safe cleaning products. For example, mix 1:1 hot water and white vinegar and add a drop of dish soap – you have an effective but safe cleaner for your fridge.
13 – Prevent Smells or Make Your Fridge Smell Lovely
Prevent smells in your fridge by leaving an open box of baking soda in there, or make it smell lovely by adding a cotton ball dipped in vanilla or citrus extract. Just make sure your food items are tightly sealed in their containers to avoid the smell sticking to the food.
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