How to Organize a Refrigerator Efficiently

Your refrigerator is home to most perishable items in the kitchen. Today's fridges offer great space and compartments, but if fully stocked, a refrigerator can become unruly and inefficient. Cleanliness and order will help make the most of this invaluable kitchen appliance.

Things You'll Need

• Refrigerator
• Cleaning supplies

Instructions

1. Remove all refrigerated items and place in a similar location within the kitchen, such as the counter or tabletop.

2. Group items into categories: condiments, dairy products, meat, fruits and vegetables.

3. Clean all interior spaces of the refrigerator, removing shelves and drawers for easier access if needed. Replace sections once they are cleaned.

4. Place items in the appropriate refrigerator compartments, as labeled. Most provide spots for eggs and butter and special drawers for produce and meat. These are created to keep certain types of food at optimum temperatures.

5. Use deep door pockets for beverages and condiments, placing shorter jars and bottles near the front. Group condiments together according to use (such as ketchup/mustard/relish and salad dressings).

6. Store the most perishable items near the bottom of the refrigerator, where it tends to be the coldest.

Tips & Warnings

• Once a week, purge all items from your refrigerator that are old or are unused.

• Add an open box of baking soda to rid your fridge of unpleasant odors.

• When cleaning the refrigerator, don't use harsh sprays. The interior plastic material will absorb the odor and will cause your food to taste like spray cleaner.