6 simple tips to clean out, clean up and organise your fridge this spring.
A new season is the perfect incentive to declutter, freshen up and “spring clean” your home. But what about the fridge? If you’re like most people, your fridge is likely often bulging with extra jars and bottles of foods. A clean and organised fridge is essential for keeping your food fresh for longer and reducing food waste, and also for reducing the risk of illnesses.
Here are our 6 simple hacks and tips to spring clean your fridge and keep it tidy:
1) Clear Out
The only way to carry out a proper spring clean of your fridge is to completely empty it first. Take everything out of the fridge, including the shelves and drawers. As much as we hate food waste, unnecessarily over-filling your fridge can lead to forgotten foods, blocked air vents, impeded air flow, and reduced energy efficiency. So, now is the time to have a clear out. Check expiration dates and toss any expired or spoiled foods. This is also a good time to get rid of any unused or unwanted condiments or sauces that are taking up valuable space in the fridge.
2) Deep Clean
With the fridge empty, it’s time to give it a thorough clean. Using white vinegar (do not dilute!), thoroughly clean your fridge. Vinegar has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties that can effectively eliminate mould, mildew, and food-borne pathogens. It also helps break down grease and grime on all kitchen surfaces and neutralise unpleasant odours. To maintain a clean fridge, it is recommended to clean your fridge with vinegar every month, ensuring that every corner and crevice is thoroughly cleaned. Also, ensure that the fridge is set at a temperature between 1-4 degrees Celsius.
Tip: For any dried out spills, make a paste of baking powder and water, and rub over the spill. To absorb odours, keep a box of open baking soda in the fridge (replace it every one to three months).
3) Organise
Now that your fridge is squeaky clean, it’s time to organise it! Place similar items together, such as dairy products, meats and condiments. Arrange items by height, with taller items at the back and shorter items at the front. Remember, the door is the warmest place in the fridge so be cautious of what you store here. Condiments and juices can be safely stored in the door, whilst dairy products like yoghurt and cheeses should be placed on the middle shelf of the fridge. Here is a break down of how to organise your fridge:
Top shelves
Foods that don’t need cooking, such as cooked meats and leftovers.
Middle shelves
This is where you should keep your dairy products such as milks, cheeses, yoghurt and butter.
Bottom shelf
This is the coldest part of your fridge, and where raw meat and fish should be kept. Placing raw food on the bottom shelf also minimises the risk of cross-contamination.
Crisper Drawers
Vegetables, salads and fruit should be stored in the crisper drawer, preferably in a produce bag (more on this shortly!). This is also a good place to store fresh herbs.
Door shelves
This is the warmest area of the fridge and most susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Store foods that have natural preservatives here, such as condiments, jams and juice.
4) Invest In a Produce Bag
Produce bags are a great way to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh. They are perfect for keeping your produce organised in your crisper drawer, preventing cross-contamination and spoilage. As fruit and vegetables sit and age in your fridge, they begin to emit ethylene gas, which is what causes them to rot. Plastic bags that produce tend to come in when bought from grocery stores trap this gas inside, causing the produce to go bad quickly. Whereas, the breathable cotton fabric of Veggie Saver produce bags allows the ethylene gas to escape. This is why Veggie Saver is multi-award winning & scientifically proven to keep fruit and veggies fresh for at least 2 weeks. What’s more is they are 100% natural, non-toxic, reusable, machine-washable & compostable, helping you to reduce waste and plastic pollution, as well as the number of trips you take to the store! Shop Veggie Saver here.
5) Store Leftovers Properly
You should never put hot food into the fridge, as it will cause the overall temperature to rise and can lead to food poisoning and unnecessary food spoilage. Therefore, when storing your leftover cooked foods, be sure to let them cool down properly before putting them in the fridge. It’s also best practice to keep raw and cooked foods separate from each other. This is why it is advised to place your cooked and ready-to-eat items higher than the raw food, to avoid the chance of the latter dripping or falling on to cooked food and contaminating it. To keep your leftovers fresh, wrap them in a reusable zip-lock bag or tupperware box for up to three days (depending on what food it is).
6) Maintain Regularly
Finally, it’s important to maintain your clean and organised fridge regularly. Make it a habit to check expiration dates and discard any expired or spoiled food (but preferably eat them before they go bad!). Wipe up any spills or messes immediately to prevent them from becoming sticky or smelly. And every month or so, repeat this cleaning and organising process to keep your fridge in top condition. Also, as mentioned above, be sure to regularly check the temperature of your fridge – in order to keep your food fresh for longer, set at a temperature between 1-4 degrees Celsius. Most modern fridges will have a temperature gauge built in, alternatively, use a thermometer to check the temperature and adjust the settings as needed.
Enjoy this simple yet rewarding spring clean! With these 6 simple steps, you can keep your fridge tidy and organised, and your food fresh for longer.