Top Tips to Organise your Refrigerator
With day-to-day living taking up most of our time, some tasks get put off for as long as possible and cleaning out the refrigerator is just one of those jobs.
19/02/2022
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Technology was supposed to make our lives easier, but it has the opposite effect. Now we not only have to do our daily jobs, but we also have to stay on top of social media, communication and even more endless tasks that accompany being technologically advanced. With all this going on, it is so easy to forget about things and let some tasks slip by. In the coming weeks, we are going to look at jobs that tend to get overlooked or forgotten when life gets in the way.
Clean and organise refrigerator or freezer
It is all fair and well to be an organised home housewife, but with today's fast-paced living more people are finding it difficult to stay on top of things that need to be done at home, whether it is keeping the bathroom clean, dusting around the house, sorting out a closet, or even taking the time to clean out and organise a fridge or freezer. But the truth is, once you tackle these tasks one by one, you will find that cleaning out and organising will make things simpler.
Check out our tips below and make it easier to stay on top of cleaning and organisation.
1. Gather Your Supplies
Before you get stuck into clearing out, cleaning, and organising the fridge, you are going to new a few supplies to make the job easier:
- Plastic Containers
You do not specifically need Tupperware containers, but they are one of the best brands for air-tight containers. I still have a few Tupperware containers that are over 20-years old and still seal perfectly. Air-tight containers are perfect for using in a fridge for items that need to be kept separate such as cheese, cold meats, and the like. A great idea for a container for storing your cheese in the fridge is to recycle ice cream bakkies. They are large enough to pack a small selection of different cheeses..
Assorted Tupperware containers can be filled with assorted fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs to keep them fresh and prevent contamination in a fridge.
Clear or transparent air-tight containers allow you to see what's inside.
- Ziploc Bags
It is always good to have plenty of Ziploc bags handy, not only for storing in the fridge but also for packing foodstuffs into the freezer. Get the bags that have a label on the front so that you can mark the bags with content and date to keep on top of what needs to be used sooner rather than later.
Ziploc seal bags provide an air-tight seal to protect perishable foods and can be used again and again.
2. Grab Your Cleaning Materials
It is important to keep in mind that foodstuffs in your fridge absorb odours, which means a definite NO to chemical cleaners. You also should not use abrasive sponges or cloths on the inside of a fridge. Remove any plastic containers or drawers before cleaning and wash these separately.
- Keep It Neural
The best cleaners to use for cleaning inside the fridge are a quarter cup of baking soda to a litre of warm water (in a spray bottle) and concentrated lemon juice to wipe down the inside once you have finished cleaning.
- The Soft Touch
Using a soft cloth inside the fridge is important, as anything abrasive can scratch the interior. I prefer to use Addis cleaning cloths because they are super-absorbent and anti-microbial. You can use them to soak up moisture in the fridge and to dry the interior once you are done.
3. Sort and Organise
With all the cleaning done, it is time to move on to sorting and organising. An organised fridge will make life easier for you and your family by ensuring that everything is fresh and easy to find at a glance. As mentioned above, clear plastic containers let you see what's inside and can be used for fruits, vegetables, and leftovers.
Shop for containers that can be stacked on top of each other to save on shelving space.
Fruits and vegetables are best stored in the salad crisper drawers at the base of a fridge. These drawers prevent food contamination and keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer. Storage containers on the door are handy for cold drinks, condiments and small items that need to be kept cool once opened.
Never leave foods uncovered in a fridge, particularly meat products, as these can contaminate other foods. Defrosted meats, if not already packed, should be placed in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag.