You've likely not given much thought to your fridge beyond putting your groceries away and getting them back out when you need them. I most certainly haven't. But, for some people, how their fridge looks is a pretty serious endeavor.
You may have noticed when scrolling through TikTok that a lot of people are posting videos on their well-organized fridges. Even to the point of what's called 'fridgescaping', where you turn your refrigerator into a creative canvas, using quirky containers, decorative pots and sometimes even fairy lights, to create an aesthetically-pleasing interior to one of your kitchen's biggest appliances.
I find it pretty intense, to be honest, given how quick the turnaround is for groceries in the fridge and how much of a chore buying the groceries is in the first place. But, it turns out, they might be onto something.
Don't worry, I'm not suggesting you ready yourself for 'fridgescaping' masterclass. Instead, let's look at the core of the process – removing excess packaging.
I spoke to some kitchen experts and it turns out there's some real positives to doing this that even the best refrigerators will benefit from, like improving your fridge's overall efficiency and even lowering the chances of food waste. Here's why.
Remove excess packaging
Matthew Glynn is the Product Marketing Manager at Hisense, a leading brand in home appliances, and when I asked for his expert commentary on what removing excess packaging will do for your fridge, he had a lot of great things to say.
Firstly, "By eliminating bulky or redundant packaging you're instantly freeing up valuable room. This not only helps to prevent overfilling, which can restrict airflow and reduce cooling efficiency, but it also allows for better visibility of your items.
"When food is easier to see, you're less likely to forget about it, which in turn helps to reduce food waste."
And there's certainly something about lining up clear containers into your fridge that makes finding food before it's perished a whole lot easier.
"When food is easier to see, you're less likely to forget about it, which in turn helps to reduce food waste."
Matthew Glynn, Product Marketing Manager at Hisense
He adds: "In addition, reducing external secondary packaging supports better hygiene. Materials such as cardboard can harbour contaminants or absorb moisture, so consider first removing the secondary. For perishable goods, transferring them to airtight containers is key to preserving quality and safety."
So, if you purchase containers to move your food into, you can also avoid spills and messes going directly into your fridge that'll then require a deep clean.
But, it's also about carefully considering what belongs in the fridge in the first place.
Darren Watts, Kitchen Expert at Wren Kitchens, advises: "Many people automatically put items like tomatoes, onions, and garlic in the fridge, but they actually keep better in a cool, dark larder or pantry cupboard. Not only does this maximise fridge space, but it also preserves their flavour and texture."
And Matthew concludes that by utilizing all these tips: "Ultimately, thoughtful repackaging, combined with effective fridge organisation, can significantly extend the lifespan of your groceries, while enhancing the overall performance and energy efficiency of your appliance."
Clear fridge, clear mind
There's a lot of things in our homes that can overwhelm our minds from never-ending piles of laundry to clutter that just won't quit. So, the opportunity to sort out the fridge has been pretty low on my priority list. But, knowing there are money-saving advantages to doing so, has made me reconsider.
I made it a personal goal of mine this year to reduce my food waste and one of the biggest ways I've been doing that is by utilizing meal plans based on the expiry dates of my groceries. And it has helped a lot.
But, there's always items in my fridge that get hidden to the back of the shelves or to the bottom of the vegetable drawer, that I find when it's too late – and that really gets on my nerves.
And, Darren says: "When it comes to kitchen organisation overall, think beyond the fridge. Use stackable storage containers in cupboards to decant dry goods like pasta, rice, and cereals. This frees up valuable space and also helps you keep track of quantities and reduces packaging clutter."
I'm all about finding ways to declutter my home and tackling my fridge (and beyond) has just been a part of my home I've ignored, until now. After all, if anything can stop me throwing a trash bag of gone off food away, I'm all for it.
More from Tom's Guide
- I just upgraded to a smart fridge — here's how it's helping me save money
- I finally tried the 'House Hushing' method to declutter my kitchen — here's what happened
- 7 ways to declutter your kitchen like a minimalist
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
