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Good Housekeeping

6 steps to a fridge makeover

Here’s how to keep it neat, tidy and efficient during the holiday season

Clean it, Keep it, Toss it.
Empty your fridge completely and wipe it down. As you remove everything, group similar items into categories like condiments, beverages, vegetables, fruit, uncooked meat, etc. Then throw out anything that’s expired, moldy or funny-smelling.

Stick to one style.

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Good Housekeeping

6 steps to a fridge makeover

Here’s how to keep it neat, tidy and efficient during the holiday season

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Clean it, Keep it, Toss it.
Empty your fridge completely and wipe it down. As you remove everything, group similar items into categories like condiments, beverages, vegetables, fruit, uncooked meat, etc. Then throw out anything that’s expired, moldy or funny-smelling.

Stick to one style.
Fancy, cool-shaped storage boxes look nice at the market, but in your refrigerator at home, all those shapes and sizes can hog space. Find a style you like and stick with it. Buying from the same product line ensures that all your containers exist (and stack) harmoniously.

Put groceries in the right place.
Stow produce in crisper drawers, and store snack items, like cheese sticks and hummus packs, together in the deli drawer. Everything will fit better, creating more usable space. Keep perishables (like eggs) in their packages so you can track expiration dates.

Group popular combos in bins.
We’re talking deli meat, cheeses and condiments for sandwiches or diced veggies and teriyaki sauce for stir-fries. Placing them together in see-through bins will make them easier to access. Plus, you won’t have to go to the fridge multiple times or bundle things in your arms when prepping meals.

Add some style.
Line shelves and drawers with colorful liners for a fun (and functional) pop of color. Wipeable surfaces make cleaning up leaks, messes and spills super simple.

Label zones.
Give guests a road map to follow when searching for appetizers or putting away leftovers by labeling “zones” with stickers for things like beverages, leftovers and meal prep. That way, everyone in your home will be gently reminded where to put things back.

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