Not only will organizing your fridge the right way help cut down on the time you spend digging through it to find that cream cheese you lost, but it will also help you reduce your grocery bill and waste much less. Now, here’s how to spend an afternoon rearranging your fridge the right way. Keeping your refrigerator organized may take a little more effort, but it’s worth the time it takes upfront to save money and brain space later. A few key steps can help your food last longer and get dinner on the table quicker. The Top Shelf This is one of the warmer shelves in your fridge, so avoid keeping any fresh meat here. Instead, consider designating it for leftovers and takeout—stuff you need to eat soon. It is typically the first shelf you see when you open your door, so it’s good to keep the foods you reach for often here. The Middle Shelf Here, consider storing dairy products or produce that can be left uncovered (such as berries). You also probably have the most vertical space here, so taller containers can be stored on this shelf as well. The Bottom Shelf Use your bottom shelf for meat or fish. Not only is this the coolest spot in your fridge so there is less risk of spoilage, but you also won’t have to worry about accidental leakage over the rest of your food that causes nasty odors or contamination. The Drawers This one is pretty easy—try to fit all of your produce in the crisper drawers for maximum freshness. The Door Your door is the warmest part of your fridge, so store more stable items, such as condiments and jams, here. Not only will clear containers help you keep a solid framework for your organization, but they’re also much simpler to remove and clean than an entire shelf. This way, you can easily see what ingredients you’re missing and keep track of expiration dates so you can make a plan to use everything you buy.
