Organizing Your Fridge Can Boost Your Gut Health, Peace of Mind, + Energy

Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up your home—it’s also a great time to tackle one of the most important areas of your kitchen: your fridge. Keeping your refrigerator clean and organized may not only save you time and reduce waste but can also have a positive impact on your gut health, energy levels, and overall peace of mind.

Let’s face it, how many times have you purchased fresh fruits and vegetables, only for them to spoil quickly? Or have you opened your fridge to find random items scattered across shelves, making it hard to know what’s fresh and what’s not? It’s frustrating, especially when you live with others who may not always put things back in their usual spot, causing confusion.

A messy fridge makes it harder to track what food you have, leading to spoiled items, food waste, and sometimes even unpleasant smells. Plus, spoiled food can contaminate others, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Not to mention, it can be harder to clean and sanitize, with spills and crumbs lurking in hard-to-reach corners.

But here’s the good news: with a little effort, you can spring clean your fridge, turning it into an efficient space that supports your health and well-being. Here’s how:

Why Organizing Your Fridge Matters

An organized fridge isn’t just about aesthetics; it has real benefits:

• Gut Health: Keeping foods fresh and properly stored helps maintain the quality of your meals, which is vital for digestive health.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing exactly where everything is can reduce stress and save you time when meal prepping.
• Energy: An organized fridge means you won’t waste energy trying to find things or throwing out spoiled food—so your fridge can run more efficiently too.

Tips for Organizing Your Fridge

Give Everything a Home:  Make sure every item has its designated spot to reduce clutter and keep your fridge organized. Here's how you can group items for maximum efficiency:

• Dairy: Place milk, cheese, and yogurt on the top shelf. This zone tends to be the most consistent in temperature.
• Meats & Fish: Store raw meats and fish on the bottom shelf in a separate bin or drawer to prevent leakage and cross-contamination.
• Fruits & Vegetables: Use the crisper drawers, but keep them separate—fruits like apples release ethylene gas that can spoil veggies faster.
• Condiments & Sauces: These items are less temperature-sensitive, so they belong in the fridge door.

Use Clear Storage Containers:  Invest in clear, stackable containers to keep your food visible and accessible. Label the containers with dates to help track when food was placed in the fridge and prioritize older items.

FIFO (First In, First Out):  Arrange food so older items are at the front and newer ones are in the back. This simple system ensures you use up the food before it expires and reduces waste.

Use Drawer Organizers:  Drawer organizers or bins are great for smaller items like snacks, cheese, or herbs. You can even designate a drawer for beverages to keep them easily accessible.

Clean Regularly:  Wipe down your fridge regularly to prevent spills and crumbs from accumulating. This simple habit makes it easier to maintain a clean fridge and helps prevent bacterial growth.

Store Leftovers in Transparent Containers:  Leftovers are best stored in clear containers so you can easily identify them without opening each one. This reduces the likelihood of forgetting about them and encourages you to eat them sooner.

Avoid Overcrowding:  Overcrowding your fridge can block airflow and make the fridge work harder to keep things cool. Make sure there’s enough space for proper ventilation.

Use Bins for Small Items:  Small items like packets of sauces, deli meats, or snack bags can get lost in the fridge. Use bins or baskets to keep them organized and prevent clutter.

Maximize Door Storage:  The fridge door is perfect for storing items that don’t require the coldest temperature, like condiments, juice, and sauces. However, avoid storing eggs or dairy here, as the temperature fluctuates more in the door.

Maximize Vertical Space:  Use stacking containers or trays to take advantage of vertical space. This can help create more room and keep everything in place.

Wrapping It Up

Organizing your fridge may take a little time, but the benefits are worth it. You’ll not only save time and reduce food waste, but you’ll also be supporting your gut health, peace of mind, and energy levels. Plus, you’ll spend less time searching for ingredients and more time enjoying fresh, healthy meals. So, grab those cleaning supplies and get to work—your fridge (and your health) will thank you!

About Intentional + Space

As someone who’s always had a passion for organizing, Vicky Nguyen decided to turn that love into a business called Intentional + Space. She believes that an organized environment can lead to a clearer mind, and that’s why she's here to help her community create spaces that are both functional and inspiring.

Whether it’s your closet, garage, or even your refrigerator, She offer hands-on support in organizing the spaces that matter most to you. But she is not just about clearing out physical clutter—She is also here to help you clear inner clutter, creating a space where you can thrive. If you’re ready to make your home more intentional, she'd love to join you on this journey! 

You can follow her on IG @intentionalandspace