My Grandma Taught Me Her Fridge Organizing Rule, and Now I'll Always Use It

"Though I usually keep a tidy home, my fridge has always been the exception. Whenever I'm in a rush, I just toss containers and jars inside wherever there's space and call it a day. This habit stands in stark contrast to my uber-organized 91-year-old grandma (I call her Nana), whose refrigerator (and even freezer!) is immaculate. Every item has its place, and you'll never find a stray crumb on one of her shelves."

"My Grandma's 70-Year-Old Fridge Organizing Rule Nana's rule is simple: Never put anything back in the fridge when you're rushed or hungry. Instead, she leaves items like condiments, drinks, and containers of leftovers on the counter until she's finished eating. That way, she has the time (and focus) to wipe down sticky bottles or messy lids before returning them to their designated spots."

"Then I take a quick moment to wipe it down and put it back in the right place. The difference has been huge. Weeks later, my fridge still looks just as clean and organized as the day I deep-cleaned it. I plan to stick with Nana's rule from here on out - and I can't wait for her to stop by and see my fridge looking as neat as hers."

A home with an otherwise tidy routine had an exception: a refrigerator repeatedly filled by tossed containers and jars when the resident was rushed. A 91-year-old grandmother applies a simple rule: never return items to the fridge while rushed or hungry, leaving condiments, drinks, and leftovers on the counter until meals finish so lids and bottles can be wiped before storage. The refrigerator was reset by discarding expired food, wiping shelves, grouping like items, and placing labels forward. Leaving items on the counter and wiping them before returning maintained cleanliness and organization for weeks.

Read at Apartment Therapy