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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fridge Organisation

9 replies

23trains · 22/08/2020 10:36

Has anyone got tips on good fridge organisation? I’m always throwing away out of date food that’s been forgotten and I feel so guilty.

I’m thinking of buying some fridge organiser boxes from Amazon. Not sure what to do about the veg drawer - it’s the worst culprit for losing things in so I might just take it out.

OP posts:
Pancakeorcrepe · 22/08/2020 15:25

I have those organisers from Amazon and they are really useful. I use them for all the cheese, ham, etc.
Is your fridge a good size for the amount of people you have in the household, or is it too small?
I always do a meal plan. Therefore I use up all the vegetables, because say I’m doing a stir fry on a Thursday, I will dig out the ingredients for that. Try not to buy vegetables you don’t have a specific plan for. I also use the vegetable drawer for beer and canned minerals, and have the vegetables on one of the shelves so they’re not all on top of each other.
Check exactly what needs to be stored in the fridge and what doesn’t. My husband is awful for putting things in there that don’t need to be, such as Nutella and jars of unopened jam or unopened mayo. This then takes up more space.
Have you done a little clear out for old condiments and stuff like that?
I would also assess your personal usage and make sure the fridge is setup for that. For example, if you have the shelves at the correct height for your things, so you’re not overstuffing the shelving on the inside of the doors.
If you struggle with space on the big shop day when the fridge will be at its fullest, make sure you remove all packaging you can before popping things in and if necessary chop veggies and transfer them to Tupperwares or just transfer them into Tupperwares to make them more stackable.

tarantinotpf · 18/05/2021 10:51

I think the killer piece of advice in your post Pancakeorcrepe is to NOT put your fresh veg and salad etc in the BOTTOM of the fridge. Typically you can’t see it and it gets forgotten about. We have just put all cans in the salad draw and our salad/veg on the top shelf, and it’s in plain view all the time. I think this is a game changer when it comes to avoiding wastage. I know this goes against all the advice from fridge manufacturers because of the temperatures in different parts of the fridge, but the payoff is better to avoid these rules.

thelegohooverer · 29/05/2021 11:31

I have glass containers from IKEA for my fridge rather than plastic. I like that I can run them through the dishwasher (I’m mildly germophobic and irrational but it makes me feel better) and they can be used in the oven and microwave so they’re great for leftovers. They’re freezer safe too.

I realise this sounds daft but having specific places for each item in the fridge (and labelling them if necessary) helps to keep track. It can be easier to keep on top of organisation when it’s pretty.

I’ve trained all my family that things are used from the left/front and stacked from the right/back. That applies in the fridge, freezer and food cupboard.

Ideally do a fridge clear out before shopping, or at least as you put things away. Again I used to be reluctant to throw things away because I felt guilty about wasting food, but actually by being more ruthless I’ve learned to be more realistic about what I’m buying and cooking (I incorporate a soup/stir fry/omelette into the weeks meals)

Be realistic about leftovers and only keep what you’ll actually eat. I used to have a lot of guilt leftovers but I realised that it was better to put it straight in the bin and get better at judging portions/or find a nicer recipe than grow mould in the fridge!

I’ve found that leftovers can often be more useful frozen, when you pop them in the microwave for a quick meal at odd times, rather than in the fridge where you end up facing the same dinner again too soon.

I completely agree with keeping fruit/veg in view. It also helps to have at least a vague plan - I use up softer fruit, berries and veg at the start of the week and save the harder ones for the end of the week.

It’s taken me years to get the hang of this. I use my freezer a lot more which helps greatly in keeping the fridge under control.

Tiredandbored · 29/05/2021 11:34

Meal planning is critical as it means I only buy what I know I'll use.

Theoldwoman · 24/06/2021 14:08

I don't use storage containers anymore, but I do label shelves.
One thing that has really helped me is the top shelf (right in the middle so no one misses it) is labelled "Opened" Everyone looks there first.

theneverendinglaundry · 24/06/2021 16:21

Meal planning is key, I think. And like a PP said I have a specific place in the fridge for each item.

Davros · 26/06/2021 00:25

We have just put all cans in the salad draw and our salad/veg on the top shelf, and it’s in plain view all the time.
I'm sure putting salad/veg on the top shelf is a good idea but why would you put cans in the fridge? Unless you mean drinks maybe

Mrsdoubtfireswig · 26/06/2021 00:39

Like pps, meal planning is key, check what you’ve got left to use up beforehand and incorporate that and then make a shopping list and stick to it. It’s not bad buying the odd thing spontaneously but avoid anything that won’t last.

Also in meal planning try to buy things that could have several uses to give you some flexibility or options for using up e.g broccoli - could be a side / go in a quiche / a soup, or peppers - eaten raw / roasted / in chillis / curries

I have a couple of fridge containers, one for cheese abs one for kids yoghurts / rice puddings etc but it’s mainly to keep them in one place

I do put things with the earliest sell by date towards the front of the fridge, and later dates towards the back. And I always write the opening date on jars and sauce bottles so they can be used within their best range too

tarantinotpf · 06/07/2021 17:43

@Davros yes cans of coke - serious addiction

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