How to Improve Your Fridge and Get It Totally Reorganized
Apartment Therapy’s Spring Cleaning Cure is a free 10-day program that’ll help you achieve a tidier home. Get all assignments delivered to your inbox by signing up here and download our calendar page to follow along.
The way your fridge is organized is so important to your daily life. If it’s in a constant state of disorganization, it can lead to spoiled foods, duplicate items, and total chaos come mealtime. But when it’s put-together and even nice to look at, you’re more likely to keep it that way and find exactly what you need when you’re cooking. Today we’re going to spend time reclaiming the fridge.
Day 3: Reclaim the fridge.
The first thing you have to do is clean the fridge, before you can actually get it organized. Here’s what to do:
- Take everything out of the fridge (and sort as you go). Toss anything that’s gone bad in the trash, put dirty containers that need washing in the sink, and place what’s being kept on your free surface (counters or the floor).
- Clean the inside of the fridge. Take out all the removable drawers and shelves, wash them with soap and water, and dry them with a clean dish towel. Wipe down the inside of the fridge with a damp microfiber cloth and use all-purpose cleaner or dish soap and some water to clean it and buff out anything that’s stuck. Wipe it dry with a clean towel, and don’t forget to clean the seams, corners, and crevices of your fridge.
- Clean all the items you took out. Condiments, sauces, etc. — whatever is in a container should be wiped clean.
- Put everything back in an organized fashion. Now put back the shelves and drawers, followed by the fridge’s contents. Be intentional about where you put things, so you know just where to look when it’s time to grab that bottle of Sriracha or bunch of kale.
- Clean the outside of the fridge. Take down magnets and all the other things that adorn your fridge and clean them. Wipe down the outside of your fridge and put back those items you took off.
- Bonus: Clean on top of and under the fridge. If you really want to take things “above and beyond,” take some time to clean the top of your fridge and below it too.
How’s the state of your fridge looking? Share a picture with us in the community forum.
More Ways to Participate in the Spring Cleaning Cure:
- Sign up for email updates.
- Visit the Spring Cleaning Cure page and catch up on assignments.
- Download the Spring Cleaning Cure calendar.
- Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall progress here.
- Join the conversation by checking out the Cure board in our community forum.