Are you pulling out expired ingredients? Tips from a pro-organizer to organize your fridge and pantry (Tampa, FL)

organized fridge

Have you ever found yourself pulling out ingredients for a recipe, only to discover they’re expired? It’s a common scenario that can be frustrating, but it’s also a sign that it might be time to reorganize your pantry or your fridge. As a professional organizer, I often see how expired items can clutter up valuable space and make it harder to find what you need. By regularly checking expiration dates and organizing your fridge and pantry, you can avoid this issue and create a more efficient cooking environment. Here are my 3 simple steps.

1. Start by taking everything out of your pantry and fridge and checking each item’s expiration date. Discard anything that’s past its prime.

2. Group similar items together. In the fridge, I group condiments, fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses and meats. In the freezer, I separate and group frozen vegetables, meats, breakfast and quick meals. When organizing the pantry, I group baking supplies, canned goods, and box meals.

3. Make items easy to find. In the fridge, take your fresh vegetables out of the bags. Visibility is key when you open your drawers. Use clear containers to group similar items like cheeses and snacks. I like to find containers at Home Goods, Walmart and Amazon. However, do not decant everything! In my opinion that's a waste of time. Do you have that kind of time and energy every time you put away groceries? If not, that's not the solution. Again, the solution is grouping similar items! For instance, when grouping condiments, we've all been frustrated that there isn't enough space on the doors, top shelf or anywhere in our fridge. Believe me, I'm with you!

   
   

   FRIDGE SOLUTION: I've found that the rectangle lazy Susan's are some of the best solutions for your condiments or top shelf of your fridge. Here is a link to the one I currently have in my own fridge. It's a game changer. You can get them on Amazon. https://a.co/d/5am0Thm

My fridge with rectangle lazy susan, Don't judge.

By maintaining this system, you’ll not only reduce waste but also make meal prep more enjoyable and stress-free. If you need help, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

** Feel free to comment and like if this blog helps you. Happy organizing!