A messy refrigerator is an eyesore. Outdated food, old vegetables, the occasional spill… Why not clean it up and get organized before the holidays arrive? Whether you are hosting a gathering for Thanksgiving or simply need to make extra space for all those delicious side dishes, organizing your refrigerator can be beneficial for the entire household.  

An organized refrigerator is an efficient refrigerator. Not only does it look better, but you can cut down on wasting food when everything is in its proper place. It is recommended that you deep clean your refrigerator quarterly, essentially four times a year. If you aren’t sure how to get started, we’ve got you covered. Here are some helpful hacks to get your refrigerator organized in time for the holidays. 

The Ultimate Guide to Refrigerator Organization

Before you begin organizing, you’ll want to clean out your entire refrigerator and disinfect all of the shelves and drawers. Disinfecting your refrigerator will minimize foodborne illnesses and combat any lingering odors. If you have any food that you aren’t ready to toss out, keep a cooler handy to store perishables in while you are wiping down the shelving, drawers, compartments, and interior doors. 

Remove drawers and soak them in warm, soapy water. Scrub away any stuck-on foods or sticky liquids from the drawers and set them out to dry. While the vegetable and meat bins are drying, remember to thoroughly wipe down the surfaces underneath the drawers before replacing them. 

Now that you’ve wiped down all of the interior surfaces and cleaned out the bins, it’s time to reassemble your refrigerator and get organized. Here is a list of refrigerator organizational tips and tricks so that you can open your fridge with pride. 

  • Don’t Skip the Deodorizer! – First things first, get your fridge smelling fresh. While there are multiple brand-name refrigerator deodorizers on the market today, baking soda works wonderfully. 
  • Plastic Boxes & Baskets – You don’t have to break the bank to organize your refrigerator. Purchase some simple plastic bins or baskets to house smaller items like packaged cheese, drink boxes, and perishable snacks. If you want to get really snazzy, you can choose to label them so there is no confusion on what is being stored there. 
  • Create a Box for About-to-Expire Foods – Are you in the habit of throwing out food because you don’t eat it before it spoils? Well, this is the tip for you. Instead of allowing perfectly fresh food to go to waste, label one smaller plastic bin as an “eat me first” bin so you know what foods are nearing their expiration date. 
  • Lazy Susans – It’s easy to push food to the back of the fridge never to be seen again. And so enters the lazy Susan. Lazy Susans are rotating trays that are perfect for storing opened jars of pickles or olives, even condiments so that they are easily accessible and not getting pushed out of sight. 
  • Hang Baskets for Maximum Wall Space – Hit your local office supply store and purchase some slender plastic baskets that have suction cups on the back of them. Simply affix to the interior walls of your fridge to store grab-and-go snacks like string cheese. 
  • Use Drawer Dividers – Organizing your crisper drawers is a must! Plop in some dividers that are typically used in dresser drawers to keep different groups of vegetables in their respective spaces. This will help your veggies from spoiling quickly and keep them fresher for longer. 
  • Line Crisper Drawers With Paper Towels – Lining the bottom of your crisper drawer with a couple of layers of paper towels not only will regulate the moisture that collects in the bottom of the drawer, but it will make cleaning up a breeze in the future. Change them once a week to keep your drawers clean and mildew-free. 

Interested in taking your fridge’s organization to the next level? Watch this FREE tutorial below.

Now that you have an overview of how to properly clean and organize your refrigerator, roll up your sleeves and get started! Not only will any future houseguests be impressed by your organizational skills, but you’ll be able to have easy access to everything in your refrigerator. If you want to take it to the next level, here is our how-to guide to get the outside of your fridge looking just as good as the inside. 

Contact Wilshire Refrigeration

Wilshire Refrigeration is factory certified to service Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove, and other leading-brand appliances. Our team is trained in all the latest repair methods and equipment. For questions about your appliance and to schedule repairs, call us today at 800-427-3653.