Experts say you've been storing your milk in the wrong place — what you need to know

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Stop your milk from becoming stinky

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Milk is one food staple that most of us buy on repeat. As soon as I wake up, I pour a splash into my morning brew and then enjoy it stirred into my overnight oats. I don’t think I could go a day without using it in some way within my diet.

However, I do notice that it can turn sour before the ‘Best By’ date, even when I know my fridge is set at the correct temperature. So, I wondered what I was doing wrong until I discovered I’d been storing my milk in the wrong place.

Why you should avoid storing milk in the fridge door

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Storing milk in the fridge door can cause its temperature to fluctuate every time you open the fridge. This temperature change can make the milk spoil faster than if kept in the back. This advice is given by Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology at Cornell University, and supported by U.S. Dairy.

And the problem is amplified when the milk is stored in a small container with Martin stating, “If the milk is in a smaller container (e.g., a quart) versus a larger container (e.g., a gallon), the product will warm up faster, and this can allow bacteria to grow a little faster.”

So, although storing your milk in the fridge door is handy, the warmer temperatures created when you’re opening and closing the door can allow bacteria to grow.

Instead of using your fridge door to store cartons of milk, use it for items with a longer shelf life, such as condiments, dressings, and soft drinks.

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Camilla Sharman
Camilla Sharman
Staff Writer, Homes

Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides. 


Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.


Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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