Have you ever wondered why you don’t seem to have enough space in your refrigerator, no matter what its size or how many doors and drawers it has? Sometimes, the problem isn’t that you don’t have enough space, but it’s that you’re not maximizing it.
It all boils down to smart organization. Knowing where to find certain food items and keeping them in order won’t just give you a Pinterest-worthy refrigerator–these techniques will also save you time, energy, and money. For instance, you don’t have to spend minutes looking and digging through plastic bags and containers to find what you’re looking for. You also avoid wasting food, since you’re not likely to forget about leftovers stored in the back of the shelves.
Get started with these amazing storage hacks today!
1 Use clear plastic bins. This is the golden rule of organization. Clear bins help you see what’s inside, and can also help you properly categorize food items to avoid contamination. Dry snacks can go in one bin, and fruits in another. In the freezer, clear plastic containers are also recommended to maximize space and minimize spills.
2 Label, label, label. With containers come labels. Indicate the name of the food item it contains or the category it belongs to, and don’t forget to jot down the expiration date, too. If you’re storing leftovers, put down the preparation date. With this information readily available, you can decide at a glance what to eat or what to cook.
3 Clip it. Binder clips are considered office supplies, but they also have a number of uses in the kitchen, particularly your refrigerator. Reseal open bags with them, and clip on an open air rack to hang them. You can also clip them to the rack to prevent bottles stacked sideways from rolling over.
4 Line shelves with a plastic mat. Small spills can make shelves sticky and grimy, and you don’t want these anywhere near your food items. Place small plastic mats on the shelves, so you can easily remove and wash them as needed.
5 Use a lazy susan as a revolving shelf. Condiments can be stored in a revolving plate, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
6 Keep track of what’s in your refrigerator. A magnetic whiteboard is a useful tool to list down food items as well as their expiration dates. You can also list down leftovers so you know what you should consume in the next few days.
7 Check expiration dates regularly. Immediately remove expired items to free up space.
8 Practice the first in, first out method. When placing newly bought food items in your refrigerator, move older items to the front so you can use them first.
A well-organized refrigerator definitely makes cooking for your family more convenient and seamless. With this out of the way, you can focus on more important things like creating your weekly menus or spending time in the kitchen with your loved ones. What are you cooking today? Find recipes of your family’s favorites, plus amazing cooking hacks at Nutriasia.com.
