I hate a messy fridge, but I also really struggle to keep it tidy. This ultimately creates a domino effect that has me second-guessing what to make for dinner, the foods I need to buy in my weekly food shop, and why it always smells so funky. And that’s why I’ve decided to finally make a change.
Of course, I know that the first step to organising a fridge is to go through and get rid of anything that’s out of date, and to group foods by shelf. But one thing I’ve learned from the things that people with a tidy kitchen always have is that storage solutions are key to clutter-free, organised spaces.
That’s why I’ve done my research and asked my tidiest friends, family and colleagues for their top tips on keeping a fridge tidy. And these are the game-changing tools and products they’ve used to turn their messy fridges into spaces that inspire them, save them money, maximise freshness and minimise odours.
1. Pull-out containers
Whether you have a small under-the-counter fridge or a giant American-style fridge-freezer, one thing they all have in common is that they are deep. And while this means that you can tuck the food items you don’t often use to the back of the fridge, this depth can also make things messier.
So, instead of reaching to the back of the fridge and knocking over everything in the process, those with tidy fridges always use pull-out containers. This way, you can always reach every item in there - no matter whether it’s at the back or the front.
Many retailers also offer specific containers for specific fridge items, like Joseph Joseph’s Fridgestore Under-Shelf Collapsible Bottle Holder (£14 at Joseph Joseph) and this Clear Fridge Storage Egg Box (£5 at Dunelm). Alternatively, you could opt for regular rectangular-shaped containers so you’re not restricted by the contents.
If your fridge is messy because you don't have a lot of shelves, you can add an extra one with this pull-off shelf container.
This 6-piece set is ideal for kitting out your fridge, allowing you to group together your food items and pull them out when you need them.
These pull-out containers have wheels, so they're even easier to roll out when you need to get to the back of the fridge.
2. Herb growers
There’s nothing quite like using fresh herbs in your cooking, but piles of herb bags from the supermarket can quickly make a fridge look messy. And I don’t know about you, but I always find that they go limp and wet way before their use-by date. That’s why herb growers are such a win-win.
Both our Content Editor for Kitchens and Kitchen Appliance Editors, Holly and Molly, swear by herb organisers as essential fridge storage, and find that they help them keep their fridges tidy while also keeping herbs fresher for longer, so you’re not having to buy more every time you pop to the supermarket.
The KLIPPKAKTUS Herb Storage for Fridge (£6 at IKEA) slots neatly into the door of your fridge, but there are so many other options on the market to choose from - whether you have a lot of free space to work with, or you need it to be as compact as possible. Either way, you’ll be thankful to see the back of those plastic bags of herbs.
This twist on the iconic Kilner jar is ideal for your herbs. Keep your supermarket herbs fresh, and keep the water topped up.
This herb grower has a hinged lid for easy access, and has a removable inner basket to keep everything as fresh as possible.
Super compact for fridges will limited space, this herb grower will help you tidy up your fridge in no time.
3. Lidded produce baskets
Most people don’t realise that a messy, cluttered fridge can lead to a buildup of moisture - and this moisture can be absorbed by your fresh produce to make them spoil more quickly. And while organising your fridge can work wonders, lidded produce baskets are the ideal addition to a tidy fridge.
Often called ‘crisper baskets,’ the sole purpose of these baskets is to keep fresh produce fresh and crisp. And being able to keep all of your fresh produce together, instead of having them loose and floating around your fridge, can also add a level of organisation to your fridge.
If you want to go the extra mile, you could also use vacuum-sealed containers for your fruit and veg, like the John Lewis Vacuum Seal Glass Storage Container (£10 at John Lewis), to remove the oxygen and keep fresh food fresher for longer. It even has a drainage tray insert to keep moisture away.
This large basket drains any excess water to keep food fresh, and even comes with a day indicator so you know exactly how long it's lasted.
This storage basket has three compartments, but they're completely removable - so you can store three smaller items, or one large one.
This storage basket comes in two sizes, so you can choose the one that suits your fridge and needs best - or buy both!
4. Fridge deodoriser
A tidy fridge isn’t just an organised one. A tidy fridge is also clean and odour-free, which is why it’s so important to regularly clean your fridge and keep on top of any smells you notice when you open up the door. Odour eliminators are ideal for keeping these odours at bay.
Many of these odour eliminators - like the Acana Fridge Odour Absorber (£4.99 at Lakeland) - also come with extra features, like built-in temperature gauges or even bacteria-busting filters. This all contributes to a clean and tidy fridge.
And when a fridge looks and smells clean, you feel more inclined to keep it clean. So, it’s somewhat of a mental game.
This is the fridge purifier I've started using in my own fridge, and it's small enough to tuck in the corner and work its magic without cluttering the space.
These fridge and freezer fresheners are pretty easy to use. Simply fill them with bicarbonate of soda and refresh them every month to keep things odour-free.
Our Digital Editor, Becky, started using the Shelfy in her fridge a few years ago - and she still swears by it today for keeping her fridge fresh and odour-free.
5. Lazy Susan
If you want to organise a fridge quickly and don’t want to spend too much money, a lazy Susan can be one of the best tools in your toolbox. That’s because, just like the pull-out containers, they allow you to reach everything in your fridge - so you always know what’s there, and don’t have to make a mess when finding what you want.
In fact, a lazy Susan can be used anywhere in the kitchen, and Bake Off star, Prue Leith, even uses one on her kitchen island. But if you choose to add one to your fridge, you can organise everything from your condiments and sauces to your cold drinks.
The 360-degree spin design of a lazy Susan will ultimately make access easier and prevent food from being forgotten or spoiling. Grouping foods and fridge items together like this can also allow you to declutter your shelves and fill ‘dead space’ in an organised fashion. So, it really is a worthwhile, but very cheap, investment.
If Joseph Joseph has made one, you know it's a worthy investment! And this lazy Susan is tiered to offer two levels of storage.
If you think a more rectangular shape will suit your needs and your fridge better, this is a great option. If you buy it as a 2-pack, you can buy them for less, too.
Coming in four different sizes, this 2-tiered lazy Susan might not suit smaller fridges - but could come in very handy if you have a larger one.
So, it's time to start organising that fridge!
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