A messy fridge makes preparing meals in the kitchen much more difficult, so consider organizing the items in your refrigerator. This process will make cooking quicker and more efficient. Not to mention, it will be much simpler to find what you’re looking for when you sheepishly stumble into the kitchen for a midnight snack. Take a look at our effective tips for organizing your refrigerator to get started!

Avoid Overcrowding the Space

First and foremost, you should avoid overcrowding your refrigerator. Don’t stuff too many things into the fridge, as poor air circulation could cause food products to spoil faster. An overcrowded fridge makes it difficult to find what you’re looking for and can make it harder to clean. One of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your appliances is to keep them clean and organized. Take stock in the refrigerator periodically, and throw away anything that has expired. This process will free up additional space.

Adjust the Shelving

Adjusting the shelves is a fantastic way to organize your fridge. You can snugly fit tall bottles and cartons in one area by spacing the shelves at different heights. Some foods may need to be stored on higher or lower shelves for optimum freshness, so consider these factors when organizing. Determine which arrangement works best for you, and adjust accordingly.

Group Into Categories

Another great way to organize food items in your refrigerator is by grouping them into categories. With different compartments and shelves, you can easily separate fruits, vegetables, dairy products, condiments, and drinks into groups. This tip will make it much easier to find what you need without rummaging through everything in the fridge. Reusable food containers are ideal for keeping leftovers fresh and neatly stacked so they don’t take up too much space.

Sort by Expiration Dates

Sorting items in your refrigerator by expiration date is an important part of keeping things organized and ensuring no food goes to waste. Check the expiration dates on all products before storing them in the fridge so you can make sure they stay fresh for as long as possible. Using a “first-in, first-out” approach can help you keep track of expiration dates. This method involves stocking shelves from back to front, with the oldest items in the front.

Keep these helpful tips for organizing your refrigerator in mind as you begin the process. The next time you open your fridge, you will be able to locate everything you need for your delicious home cooking!