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Break it down -

Usually, people just shove in their food without considering that each item actually has its appropriate storage space. So to start off, let's break down each section of the fridge.

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Upper shelves -

As one of the warmest spots of the fridge, the upper shelves should be the home of foods that don't need to be cooked. These would be deli meats, snacks, and good old leftovers.

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Lower and middle shelves -

The lower and middle shelves are where all dairy products should go. Think cheese, yogurt, and butter. Another important item that should go there is milk, which is usually misplaced on the door shelves.

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Bottom shelf -

This is the coldest part of your fridge, and where wrapped raw meat and fish should be kept. Placing raw food on the bottom shelf also minimizes the risk of cross-contamination.

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Drawers -

Vegetables and fruit should be stored in their original packaging in the salad drawer where they will be enclosed. This is also a good place to store herbs.

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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.

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General tips for food storage -

Now that you know where to store each item in your fridge, it's time to learn some other practical tips, which are both hygienic and time-saving.

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Be careful with pre-cut fruits and vegetables -

Though this can seem practical and time-saving, chopped-up produce will deteriorate faster since more surface area is exposed. It's best to wash and cut when you’re ready to consume it.

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Don't overfill your fridge -

Filling every inch of your fridge can lead to forgotten foods, blocked air vents, impeded air flow, and reduced energy efficiency. The best practice is to aim for a fridge that’s two-thirds full.

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Don't put fruits and veggies in the same drawer -

If you have a newer fridge, you likely have two drawers, one for vegetables and one for fruits, and that's how it should be: separated. The veggie drawer is calibrated for high-humidity produce (greens wilt slower when there’s moisture) and the fruit drawer is set for low humidity (fruits rot slower in low humidity).

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Strawberries are the exception -

You probably noticed that strawberries quickly get mushy or moldy. You can extend their freshness by storing them in the vegetable drawer, as they enjoy humidity more than other fruits.

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Add trays and baskets -

Not only will trays and baskets look visually pleasing, they're great organizational tools to hold condiments that don’t fit into the door, or oranges that shouldn't mix with eggplants.

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A disorganized fridge could lead to food waste -

One way to combat food waste is to make sure you know what’s in your refrigerator. Take the time to organize it and find a place for everything.

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Make notes in your fridge -

One clever hack is to use an erasable marker to list the contents with their expiration dates directly on the inside wall of the refrigerator. This way, everyone will know what to eat first.

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Use fridge liners -

Line your shelves and drawers. By doing this, you won't need to deep clean your fridge as often, and it'll be quick to clean when you do. If you don't want to use fridge liners, try using paper towels or kitchen linens.

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Separate raw and cooked foods -

As much as possible, keep raw and cooked foods separate from each other. Place cooked items always higher than the raw food, to avoid the chance of the latter dripping and contaminating it.

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How to store certain food items -

Once opened, jars of condiments, jams, and jellies should be kept in the fridge. Cooked foods should be covered, while raw meat and fish should be well covered and sealed.

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Defrost in the fridge -

Many people defrost meat and fish at room temperature. But doing this can cause bacteria to grow as food gets warmer, so defrost in the fridge instead.

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Be careful with fresh foods -

Be careful to not keep fresh foods, such as salads and herbs, at the very back of the fridge. The temperature is colder, and these delicate foods could freeze and go off.

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An exception with butter and soft cheeses -

While dairy is recommended to be on the middle shelf, butter and soft cheeses don’t need to be in the coldest part of the fridge. So the door shelves for softer dairy is okay.

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Keep it clean -

Clean your fridge regularly to avoid any bacteria buildup. Some spots can be a pain to reach, so take an old toothbrush for those awkward corners.

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Certain foods don't belong in the fridge -

The fridge can make some veggies spoil prematurely. So keep certain items out of the fridge, such as avocados, bananas, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, and tomatoes.

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Thaw your fridge regularly -

Thaw your fridge regularly to avoid a buildup of ice. This is also an important maintenance job, as frost that builds up can start to smell and interrupt functionality.

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Let food cool before storing - Never put hot food in the fridge. This will cause the overall temperature to rise and can lead to food poisoning and unnecessary food spoilage.

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Be vigilant with meat -

Many people check if meat is edible by smelling it. But the bacteria that causes food poisoning does not have a smell, so you could still become ill from consuming this meat.

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Don't refrigerate canned food -

Don't refrigerate leftover tuna, cranberry sauce, or other foods in cans. Once a can is opened, residual metal can leach into food and leave a metallic taste.

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How to store your citrus -

Keep citrus fruits at room temperature. However, once your lemons, limes, or oranges are past peak ripeness, storing them in the fridge will help them last longer.

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Cut fruits and veggies -

Store cut fruits and vegetables in perforated or unsealed plastic bags to maintain a moist environment in the fridge. This will also allow air to circulate.

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Keep it unwashed in its original packaging -

Leave refrigerated produce unwashed in its original packaging or wrapped loosely in a plastic bag. There are exceptions, such as mushrooms and herbs. 

Sources: (The Organized Home) (Good Housekeeping) (Real Simple)

See also: Oddly-effective beauty hacks from around the world

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