Do you get a kick out of (and a slight tinge of jealousy) seeing a satisfyingly organized and squeaky-clean fridge?
Well, lucky for you, you can learn how to get a clean and organized fridge look in today’s blog post. And if you want us to do the work for you so that you can walk into an immaculate house without taking the time or effort, TLC Cleaning is ready to help.
How to Get the Clean and Organized Fridge: Step-By-Step Instructions
To clean and organize your shelf, you’ll want to follow the steps below. The results will be so worth it, so keep reading!
1. Clean Out Your Fridge
Start by emptying out your fridge completely. In the process, you’ll come across junk or food waste, especially if you haven’t done this in a while.
So, check expiration dates and throw out anything bad. This could look like spoiled fruit and abandoned leftovers. According to the USDA, you shouldn’t keep them for over four days.
2. Use All-Purpose Cleaner
Use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the shelves, drawers, and the inside of the fridge door. In the future, cleaning spills and removing crumbs immediately will keep your fridge clean.
3. Store Your Food in the Right Zone
We bet you’ll be saying, “I was today years old when I learned about refrigerator zones,” in no time. Yes, different areas in your fridge have slightly varying temperatures and humidity levels. If you organize stuff accordingly, you can keep your food safe.
Here’s how it works: The warmest part is the top shelf. Then, it gets gradually colder until you reach the bottom shelf, which is the coldest area. Refrigerator doors also have varying temperatures because of the constant opening and closing.
So, what does this mean for you? The following list gives you the proper food placement:
- Top Shelves: Leftovers, meal prep, perishable items (like yogurt), drinks, and spreads
- Lower Shelves: Raw meats, eggs, milk and other dairy products
- Meat Drawer: Cheese and Deli meat
- Crisper Drawer: Fruits, vegetables, and green produce
- Fridge Door: Ketchup, hot sauce, and condiments that don’t grow bacteria fast
- Pantry Cabinet: Food that doesn’t require refrigeration, such as butter, potatoes, onions, and bread
But that isn’t all. This system keeps your refrigerator organized, as each food type will have a designated shelf. All family members should get the memo about your organized refrigerator system. So, write the food type on the lip of the designated shelf with a dry-erase marker.
4. Invest in Clear Bins
Does your refrigerator contain small items, bottles that keep falling over, or foods that come in plastic bags or cardboard boxes (like shredded cheese)?
You shouldn’t keep foods in their grocery bags, boxes, or else in the fridge. Instead, use clear food storage containers. This way, you’ll remove all that clutter and achieve a neat look.
Even better, these affordable plastic containers enable you to easily access your food, are easy to clean, and keep any food from leaking or spilling all over your refrigerator coils. Don’t forget to label them by categories so that your family can maintain the uniform, sleek look.
You can also purchase a lazy Susan, which is an aesthetically pleasing clear container for your everyday essentials, such as ketchup and mustard. This way, they won’t clutter up your fridge space.
5. Line Your Shelves and Crispers
You want big spills and stains to be easy to clean, don’t you? Place non-adhesive liners on your shelves and crisper. Paper towels or newspapers may also work. This way, you won’t need to pull and wash them with dish soap.
Crisper liners absorb any juices from your produce. Not to mention, they absorb extra moisture and improve air circulation, keeping your produce crisp and fresh.
6. Use Egg Cartons as Organizers
Who doesn’t like repurposed items? Fetch an empty 12-egg pack carton and remove the top. Then, place the bottom on the refrigerator door.
Egg carton cavities are excellent for storing bottles in an upside-down position. So you can leave your ketchup bottle up to ensure no ketchup in the almost-empty bottle goes to waste! That goes for your other condiments, too.
7. Put Dividers in Your Crisper
Produce drawers are notorious for getting messy. With expandable organizers, you’ll easily organize and access your fresh groceries.
Aside from the aesthetic purposes, separating produce is beneficial. After all, fruits secrete a gas that makes veggies decompose faster. And with everything visible, meal planning will be much easier. Also, kids are much more likely to grab and eat a healthy snack this way.
Final Words
Overall, getting your fridge organized and cleaning it is ultimately about devising a system and sticking to it. You’ll want to wipe your refrigerator, buy a few clear containers and liners, use a repurposed cardboard box, and organize your food with the fridge zones in mind.
You’ll find this both functional and pleasing to the eye. And if you dream of walking into an immaculate house without taking the time or effort, TLC Cleaning is ready to help.
