5 tips to organize your fridge and make food last longer Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. 5 tips to organize your fridge and save money By Cynthia Lawrence published 28 July 2022 How to organize your fridge the right way and make food last longer (Image credit: Shutterstock) If you often fill every inch of your fridge after going to the grocery store, you'll probably need to know how to organize your fridge. Not only will it make things easier to find, but storing foods in the right temperature zones will make foods last longer. It's always disheartening when your favorite food (that you'd been looking forward to tucking into!), has gone bad quickly. Or you've forgotten about the expired foods at the back of your fridge. Knowing how to organize your fridge properly means wasting less food, saving you money in the long-run. So before you throw out any more spoiled food, follow these 5 tips to organize your fridge and make food last longer. If you want a bigger fridge or upgrade, check out the best refrigerators before you buy. While you're organizing, these are 3 reasons why you shouldn't overfill your freezer. How to organize a fridge  1. Store leftovers and drinks on the upper shelves This area is best to store ready-to-eat foods that have a shorter shelf life. These include yogurt, cheese, deli meats, and any leftover meals. Keep any opened jars, condiments and chilled drinks on the top shelves. 2. Keep raw ingredients on the lower shelf This is the coolest part of the fridge, so it's the best place to store raw ingredients for cooking. These include packaged raw meat, fish, dairy products and other perishables. Always ensure raw meats/food are tightly wrapped with plastic film, or in an airtight container to avoid bacteria. Packaged meat in fridge (Image credit: Shutterstock)3. Avoid mixing fruit and veggies in the crisper The crisper drawer in your fridge is the ideal place for fresh produce. However, avoid putting fruit and vegetables next to each other. This is because ethylene from fruits can result in vegetables spoiling quickly. So if your fridge doesn't have two crisper drawers, keep your fruit and veggies separate. Ensure leafy greens are wrapped well or in a sealed plastic bag to maintain their freshness. 4. Don't store milk or eggs in the door The refrigerator door is the warmest part of the fridge, so only condiments should be stored here. While most of us store our milk or eggs in the door, it's recommended these should be placed on the lower shelf, as this is the coolest part of the fridge. Other items such as sauces, butter, and less perishable groceries are suitable for door storage. Full fridge with food (Image credit: Shutterstock)5. Use clear food storage containers Organize and group ingredients or meals in clear storage containers like these 32 Piece Food Storage Containers Set ($29, Amazon (opens in new tab)) Not only will this keep it fresh for longer, but you can instantly see exactly what you need to eat. If you want to go one step further, label each container by type of food or expiration date. Food storage placed in the fridge (Image credit: Shutterstock) Other tips on how to make food last longer   Always keep the temperature between 32° F (0°C) and 41° F (5°C) Don't leave the fridge door open Never leave chilled food out on the counter, and put it back as soon as possible If you have a full fridge, always turn down the temperature to prevent ice formingAvoid cramming items in the fridge to allow air to circulate and keep a constant temperature Eat leftover meals within two days to avoid contamination Next: These are the 11 foods that you should never put in the fridge.Today's best GE Profile PFE28KYNFS deals (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)No price information (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Be In the Know Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Cynthia LawrenceHomes WriterCynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, 'must-have' home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy 'how to' features. Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many. With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she's not testing cool products, she'll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain! See all comments (1) 1 Comment Comment from the forums WWeiss I recommend adding to the article advice on studying the manuals for the refrigerator before use and during operation. This will help to really save money on the economical operation of the device and extend its service life. Here is an example of one of the owner's manual pages from the LG refrigerator. Agree, everything listed here is very important for the proper operation of the refrigerator. And this is just one page out of 52! 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