Keeping a clean fridge can be very hard to do. It’s almost as hard as keeping your child’s room clean or giving a cat a bath. You may not know, but cleaning out your fridge is so important there is a day dedicated to it, November 15! We may be a little late to celebrate, but you can still honor the holiday by cleaning out your fridge.
Not only is having a dirty fridge gross, but it can also be dangerous for your health! Moldy food in your fridge can cause coughing, itchy and red eyes, and if left alone for too long, mold can become poisonous and cause severe sickness. Today we will be showing you the best hacks to keep your food fresh and your fridge clean.
Keeping food fresh
Keeping your food fresh in your fridge is important for your fridge organization because you won’t have to clean your fridge out so much if your food stays fresher longer. You’ll also have more room in your fridge if you are storing only foods that need to stay cool in there.
No one likes limp celery, squishy grapes, or stale bread. Here are our favorite tips and tricks to keeping your food fresh.
To keep your herbs like cilantro and parsley fresh, cut off their ends, fill a glass jar with about an inch of water, place the herb in water, and cover it with a plastic sandwich bag. Store your basil at room temperature. The best way to store rosemary for long periods of time is to freeze it.
Where to Store Fruits and Vegetables
Keep apples, berries, cut melons, cherries, grapes, and cut tomatoes in the fridge. Stone fruits will last longer if they are first stored at room temperature, then when they ripen, move them to the fridge for a few more days. Cauliflower, broccoli, corn (keep in husks), celery, mushrooms, root vegetables (excluding potatoes), and leafy greens should be stored in the fridge. Potatoes, onions, and garlic should be kept in a cool, dark place. Eggplant, cucumbers, and peppers should be stored at room temperature but can be stored in the fridge for 1-3 days if they are used soon after being removed from the fridge. Avocados will stay fresh for about 3 days on the counter. You can store whole avocados in the fridge to help slow down the ripening process.
Foods to Refrigerate
There are some foods that should be refrigerated and aren’t. For example, many people don’t store their maple syrup in the fridge, but once it’s opened, that’s where it belongs.
Eggs, cheese, jellies and jams, frosting, tortillas, dairy products, and most condiments (including ketchup) should be stored in the fridge.
How to Stay Organized
The first step in your journey to a cleaner fridge is to clear everything out. Start with a clean slate. Throw out old meals, toss expired condiments, and give your fridge a good wipe down using paper towels and a kitchen safe cleaning spray.
Use clear plastic containers to keep foods organized. Use only clear bins, so you can see everything that’s inside. Use a lazy susan for condiments or other slim containers. Using a lazy susan in your fridge eliminates the need to reach over containers or take everything out just to get that one hidden bottle of mustard.
Store your leftovers at the front so you won’t forget about them. To save extra space, use tall, skinny jars to store things like cooked rice.
Buy horizontal bottle holders to store large bottles sideways; they will be easier to see and reach.
Best Refrigerators for Organization
Boulevard Home has a vast selection of appliances, including fridges. While all the refrigerators Boulevard Home carries are of the highest quality, some fridges are a little better than others when it comes to organization. Here are some of our favorites.
Samsung French Door Refridgerator
This refrigerator is stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant (awesome perk if you have kiddos (link to kids bedroom blog)), and you can use your smartphone to control the temperature and monitor the refrigerator remotely. Adjustable shelves go from standard to slide-in or flip-up, to store tall items with ease. It has 2 drawers and a set of french doors.
LG Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
There is only one word to describe this fridge… awesome. Its fingerprint resistant, has 2 french doors with an extra surface door, and a large bottom drawer. There’s a clear window on the right surface door, so you can easily see what you have in stock. There are enough internal drawers and shelves to keep your food perfectly organized.
Another unique feature this fridge offers is its spherical ice!
Whirlpool Counter Depth Fridge
Modern design, 4 doors, and lots of storage space equal a really great fridge! This 4 door masterpiece has removable shelves, custom temperature control, and quick cooling options. It is smudge and fingerprint resistant as well. Priced how it is, it’s amazing we have any in stock!
We hope you’ve learned something new, found some new hacks, and possibly bought a new fridge! Keep your food fresh and your fridges clean.