Is there a long-expired pack of yogurt growing in the farthest corner of your refrigerator? Do you always have to throw away vegetables because they spoil quickly and you regularly lose track of the food in your fridge? Then it's time to reorganize your refrigerator. Avoid food waste, save money and redesign your refrigerator in just 4 steps!
1 - Deep cleaning of the refrigerator The best time to clean out your refrigerator is before your next shopping trip. In this case, in fact, the fridge is usually empty and you can have a precise overview of the foods already present.
First of all, you need to empty the refrigerator of all products, without exceptions. Check which products can be discarded because, for example, they have deteriorated. Now you also have the option to clean your refrigerator from top to bottom. A hygienic refrigerator not only makes you feel better, but also prevents food from spoiling more quickly due to bacteria or unpleasant odors from forming.
Clean all drawers, shelves and compartments with warm water and dish soap. You can also clean the door seals with a damp cloth and take this opportunity to vacuum the metal grill on the back and clean the condensation water drain. To this end, we recommend that you turn off the refrigerator and unplug it as a precaution. Is your refrigerator frozen in places? Then you can let it thaw in peace while you move on to the next step.
The best time to clean out your refrigerator is before your next shopping trip. In this case, in fact, the fridge is usually empty and you can have a precise overview of the foods already present.
First of all, you need to empty the refrigerator of all products, without exceptions. Check which products can be discarded because, for example, they have deteriorated. Now you also have the option to clean your refrigerator from top to bottom. A hygienic refrigerator not only makes you feel better, but also prevents food from spoiling more quickly due to bacteria or unpleasant odors from forming.
Clean all drawers, shelves and compartments with warm water and dish soap. You can also clean the door seals with a damp cloth and take this opportunity to vacuum the metal grill on the back and clean the condensation water drain. To this end, we recommend that you turn off the refrigerator and unplug it as a precaution. Is your refrigerator frozen in places? Then you can let it thaw in peace while you move on to the next step.
2 - Divide the compartments by category Now the organizing begins! Think about the categories and where you want to place the food before putting it away. Does your refrigerator have several cold zones? Then take this aspect into account in your reorder plan, so as to keep all products fresh for as long as possible.
- Refrigerator door: This is one of the warmest spots in the refrigerator, ideal for eggs, butter, ready-made sauces, sauces and drinks.
- Upper area: as is known, heat rises upwards. This is why long-life foods such as pickles or jams can be stored here. But there is also room for leftovers from the day before, if you consume them immediately.
- Central section: an optimal temperature of 5° C and a comfortable height are perfect for dairy products, open preserves and cured meats.
- Lower section: The lower part of the refrigerator is the coldest, so it is advisable to store fish and meat here. However, for hygienic reasons, always keep them separate from other foods.
- Vegetable compartment: As the name suggests, this is the best place to store vegetables. However, not all vegetables and fruits tolerate the cold: exotic fruits and watery vegetables should not be stored in the refrigerator.
You can also organize foods by categories, such as breakfast, snacks, or frequent use. Above all, configure your refrigerator according to your living conditions and personal needs - only you know what works best for you!
Now the organizing begins! Think about the categories and where you want to place the food before putting it away. Does your refrigerator have several cold zones? Then take this aspect into account in your reorder plan, so as to keep all products fresh for as long as possible.
You can also organize foods by categories, such as breakfast, snacks, or frequent use. Above all, configure your refrigerator according to your living conditions and personal needs - only you know what works best for you!
Storage boxes: longer life and more order You can use storage boxes so that the products of the individual categories do not get mixed up again after a day. In this way, the compartments are divided into smaller compartments. What are the best boxes for this purpose? It depends on what foods you want to preserve.
There are special containers for fruits and vegetables that preserve them longer. This is because they filter the ethylene gas, responsible for the ripening process, and guarantee optimal humidity. Cheeses and cured meats can be protected from drying out by using sealed boxes, while sealed foods are best stored in open boxes, so they can be grabbed quickly. For all refrigerator boxes, however, you must always ensure that they are free of BPA and harmful substances: only then are they suitable for food. Furthermore, it is useful to choose a transparent material, so that the contents are immediately visible.
A tip if you want to prepare the breakfast table particularly quickly: Keep everything you need for a delicious breakfast in a box. This way you can take cured meats, cream cheese and jam out of the fridge at once and put them away later. You can do the same with barbecue sauces or snacks for your children.
You can use storage boxes so that the products of the individual categories do not get mixed up again after a day. In this way, the compartments are divided into smaller compartments. What are the best boxes for this purpose? It depends on what foods you want to preserve.
There are special containers for fruits and vegetables that preserve them longer. This is because they filter the ethylene gas, responsible for the ripening process, and guarantee optimal humidity. Cheeses and cured meats can be protected from drying out by using sealed boxes, while sealed foods are best stored in open boxes, so they can be grabbed quickly. For all refrigerator boxes, however, you must always ensure that they are free of BPA and harmful substances: only then are they suitable for food. Furthermore, it is useful to choose a transparent material, so that the contents are immediately visible.
A tip if you want to prepare the breakfast table particularly quickly: Keep everything you need for a delicious breakfast in a box. This way you can take cured meats, cream cheese and jam out of the fridge at once and put them away later. You can do the same with barbecue sauces or snacks for your children.
3 - Rearrange the food Sort food so that older products don't disappear behind newer ones and you forget them there. Place new foods at the bottom and those that are about to expire at the front. Another or additional option is to put all foods that have already been opened or are about to be consumed in a separate compartment or container. The goal is to avoid wasting food and therefore money as much as possible.
Do you live with your family, with your partner or in a shared apartment? So that other family members can also find everything in the refrigerator and sort it correctly, you can label the boxes and compartments with the category names.
Sort food so that older products don't disappear behind newer ones and you forget them there. Place new foods at the bottom and those that are about to expire at the front. Another or additional option is to put all foods that have already been opened or are about to be consumed in a separate compartment or container. The goal is to avoid wasting food and therefore money as much as possible.
Do you live with your family, with your partner or in a shared apartment? So that other family members can also find everything in the refrigerator and sort it correctly, you can label the boxes and compartments with the category names.
4 - Check the refrigerator regularly People are creatures of habit: you or other members of your family do not always make sure to put everything in the refrigerator correctly and according to new conditions. Therefore, take 5 minutes once a week, for example before going shopping, to put everything in order. This way you will also have an overview of the foods you no longer need to buy and you will not end up with an excessive amount of food in the refrigerator.
Once a month you should also clean the inside of the refrigerator to avoid the spread of germs. If you store food in different boxes, it is especially easy to clean them from time to time to clean out the refrigerator.
People are creatures of habit: you or other members of your family do not always make sure to put everything in the refrigerator correctly and according to new conditions. Therefore, take 5 minutes once a week, for example before going shopping, to put everything in order. This way you will also have an overview of the foods you no longer need to buy and you will not end up with an excessive amount of food in the refrigerator.
Once a month you should also clean the inside of the refrigerator to avoid the spread of germs. If you store food in different boxes, it is especially easy to clean them from time to time to clean out the refrigerator.
