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How to Organize and Clean Your Refrigerator

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  1. Start by Clearing Out Expired Food

    Take everything out of the fridge and throw away anything expired or spoiled first β€” this makes the cleaning and reorganizing that follows much easier.

  2. Understand Temperature Zones and Place Food Accordingly

    The door tends to see the biggest temperature swings, while the inner shelves stay coldest, so eggs and dairy keep best stored toward the back, while drinks and condiments are better suited to the door.

  3. Remove Shelves and Drawers to Wash Separately

    Take out any removable shelves and drawers and wash them with mild detergent in lukewarm water β€” washing a cold glass shelf straight under cold water can crack it, so let it come to room temperature first.

  4. Wipe Down the Interior Surfaces

    With the shelves removed, wipe the interior walls with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water. For tougher stains, a diluted baking soda solution cleans effectively while remaining safe near food.

  5. Use Baking Soda to Control Odors

    Once cleaning is done, place an open box or small dish of baking soda inside the fridge β€” it absorbs odor particles and helps keep smells from building up.

  6. Restock Using First-In, First-Out

    When putting food back, place items closer to their expiration date toward the front and newer purchases toward the back β€” following this first-in, first-out habit makes the next cleanup much easier.

Why the Door Is the Worst Spot for Perishables

Every time the fridge door opens, warm air rushes in and the door shelves feel that temperature swing first β€” which is exactly why eggs, milk, and other items sensitive to temperature keep longer on interior shelves than in the door racks many fridges are designed to hold them in.

A Clean Fridge Also Means Less Food Waste

A well-organized fridge makes it easy to see what you already have, which cuts down on both spoiled food that gets pushed to the back and forgotten, and duplicate purchases of something you already own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should the fridge be fully cleaned?

Once every one to two months is a reasonable baseline for a full clean, with quick wipe-downs of spills handled immediately as they happen.

Is baking soda enough to fully remove strong odors?

For everyday odor control, yes, but a strong, persistent smell often means something spoiled and forgotten is still inside β€” it is worth double-checking every corner and drawer before relying on baking soda alone.