Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder A fridge larder can be a great storage space for expired food items. It also helps you manage a smaller refrigerator and save money on your energy bills! It's the perfect place to store items like breads, hard cheeses, and eggs. Fresh herbs are another option, which benefit from low humidity. Keep It Organized A fridge-friendly larder can reduce food waste, and also make it easier to find items when cooking. However, like any space in your home, the refrigerator can get messy and chaotic. Here are some tips to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and well-organized. Take Inventory The most important part of organizing your fridge is to take inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, verify expiration dates, and wash the surfaces." Get rid of expired foods and throw away leftovers and throw away all food items that aren't likely to be eaten before they go bad. Blakey suggests that you place the most frequently used items on the front of your fridge. Then, you can put away the less frequently used items in the back and the bottom of your fridge. Organize Your Freezer If you have a freezer in your chest, organize it with clear storage bins that will help you easily locate foods. Label each bin clearly and put similar items together. Put condiments in one container, sodas in another, and cheese sticks in the third. You can also use a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are frequently used. This will stop them from being lost in the back. In a fridge with a side-by-side layout place food items that require the coldest temperatures in the back, and warmer food items in the front. The lower shelf is ideal for yogurt, milk cream, butter and cream (it will not melt). The crisper drawers are best for spilled food items. Drawer dividers make your refrigerator more efficient and are easy to put in. They'll keep your fruits and veggies from splattering around. This will stop them from rotting. They'll also keep your drawers neat and tidy. To extend the time of tender herbs keep them in water. Mason jars filled with one inch of liquid are ideal for. Alternatively, you can buy an herb saver that you can put in your refrigerator. Keep it Visible Keep your fridge tidy to help you choose healthy food choices and feel satisfied throughout the day. Make sure that all your lids and containers for food are clear so you can see what's inside. This will let you know the number of days left on your expiration date, and make sure you don't store food that's past its prime. Start by giving your fridge's larder a thorough cleaning. Scrub the shelves, drawers, and racks using warm water and dishwashing soap. Then give your fridge an excellent clean-up to rid it of any gross crumbs and spills that might have accumulated over time. Restock your fridge after everything is dry and clean. Start by storing your cheeses and deli meats in the drawer. Then, move on to the produce drawer. This is where you should put away the leafy greens as they can wilt easily. Keep it at least three-fourths full for maximum freshness. The pantry drawers in certain refrigerators can be helpful for storage of large bags of frozen vegetables, and other food items that are bulky. This area can be used to store condiments, such as mustard and ketchup, as well as nut-butters, and other canned products. Milk should not be stored in this area as the temperature fluctuates and cause it to spoil quickly. The rear of your fridge should be reserved for jarred foods such as salad dressings, salad dressings, and other condiments that can last longer. Try using a riser to elevate jars, so they are easier to read. This will prevent you from having to open and close the lid several times, which will increase the shelf life of your condiments. Label each bin using markers or with stickers that can be easily read. This will let your family members quickly identify what each container is and help you to find what you're looking for. The addition of bins with labels is a great way to clear your kitchen and reduce the amount of waste that you create. Keep Cool A fridge with a good larder can keep food at the right temperature which prevents spoilage and slows bacterial growth. Larders can be integrated into existing cabinetry or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the north-facing side of the home to minimize the sun's exposure. They could also be equipped with additional insulation or ventilation to keep heat from entering the food storage area. They are also usually built with thicker walls and fewer windows to keep the interior at the lower temperature than other parts of the house. The larder should include an area for each kind of food item, including meat and vegetables. Each drawer can be programmed with the correct temperature. This will ensure that the burgers and chicken are cooked to perfection, however the salad greens won't be overly damaged. You can also set the drawer in the larder to low-humidity for fruits or vegetables which release a lot of moisture such as cucumbers or tomatoes. Other drawers in the refrigerator can contain items such as cheese, fresh cream, hard and freshwrapped in paper, greaseproof or clingfilm so that you can preserve it for longer. Drinks, non-perishable condiments like eggs, ketchup and water can also be kept in the refrigerator door. Milk shouldn't be stored in the doors of the fridge however - these shelves are warmer and more unstable than drawers in other drawers. To give your space a more sleek appearance, you can arrange small containers to make them easier to see. This is helpful for family members who are traveling and need food. Labeling bins or shelves to show which food items should be consumed first is also beneficial, especially when your family members don't know how to read labels! A larder is also an excellent place to store leftovers. You can store them in a variety of glass and plastic containers that are safe for food. They are great for storing smaller portions of ingredients. These containers are great to save time and money while shopping. And if you have a clean well-organized fridge that has a dedicated space for storing these, it will be much easier to stay on top of your food budget! Keep it Fresh The best tips for organizing your fridge help reduce food waste and make your healthy food items last longer. Some smart strategies will keep your fresh food items at the correct temperature and make it easy to check what's in your fridge. Most refrigerators have crisper drawers designed to alter airflow and boost humidity to extend the life of vegetables and fruits. It's important to use these drawers correctly. If you mix greens and fruits, for instance, the ethylene produced by the latter could cause the former to turn brown and spoil prematurely. Separating the different types of produce and storing them in appropriate drawers is also crucial. The door shelves are the most cosy part of the fridge. They should be used for items that don't require extra cold or specific storage conditions such as salad dressing jars, jams, chutneys and long-life drinks (anything purchased in bulk and with the same expiration date). The top shelf can be used to store beverages like water and milk that can be stored in a upright position. Refrigerator drawers can be tricky to keep organized with items that are bouncing around and scattered There are simple tips to help. First, purchase refrigerator drawer dividers that keep your food items separated and stop them from colliding against each one. It is also helpful. Keep produce that is similar in height on the same shelf, and don't keep things that aren't the same height next to each other -- raw meat shouldn't be stored in the same drawer with cooked Ham! A thermometer is a essential item to have in your fridge. It's a simple, inexpensive and easy to use tool that will ensure your fridge is at the ideal temperature to ensure your food is fresh and safe. Keep a supply in your refrigerator of plastic bags to store produce without a container. The moisture in the bag prevents vegetables from rotting. For herbs that usually wilt in days, you can keep them fresher longer by washing them and placing them in a glass of water. This is just as effective as a plastic sack in retaining moisture.