The Ultimate Guide to Fridge Cleaning & Organisation

Often do you find yourself digging through your fridge, searching for that stick of butter you tossed in somewhere? Or struggling to reach that tray of shabu meat buried under three random tupperware containers of leftovers? Maybe you've even stood there wondering: “Why is my fridge always in such a mess?”

Well, good news! Whether you're wondering why your fridge feels like a game of Tetris gone wrong, or looking for tips to keep it organised and running efficiently, we’ve got you covered.

This realistic guide will help you keep your fridge organised and clean. With these simple, practical tips, messy fridges will be a thing of the past.

Taking a few extra minutes to organise your fridge properly can pay off in a big way. Not only does it help keep your food fresher for longer, which will save your money but it also reduces the two million kilograms of food waste Singaporeans generate every day (roughly equivalent to two million bags of rice)!

Anatomy of your fridge

To figure out how to organise your fridge like a pro, we first need to understand what each compartment is actually meant for. Let’s break down the “anatomy” of a typical fridge. (We’ll ignore the freezer for now as it well… freezes stuff…) As for the fridge itself, it can usually be divided into five main compartments, each with its own little purpose. Based on typical fridge sizes, we’ve divided it into five main compartments with each having its own purpose.

The idea is to assign dedicated shelves of your fridge based on their category, use or similarity. By doing this, you can also take advantage of your fridge’s natural temperature variations. For example, the bottom shelf is usually the coldest, which is ideal to store meats or vegetables, while the fridge door shelves are the warmest and better suited for sauces or condiments. This way, you’re storing your food more efficiently according to your fridge’s temperature design.

Not only does it help reduce clutter, but it also makes it much easier to find what you need in a fully stocked fridge.

1) The Top Shelf

For most fridges, the top shelf is usually the second warmest part. As it is the highest spot, it is ideal for storing leftovers, ready-to-eat foods, meal preps, pre-packaged cooked items, and foods that need to be consumed as soon as possible. It is also recommended to keep foods that don’t require cooking on the top shelf to reduce the risk of cross-contamination — for example, preventing raw meat juices from dripping onto items below.

2) Middle Shelf

This is the most ideal spot for your dairy products. The middle shelf offers a balanced, slightly cooler temperature, ideal for perishable items that need more consistent cold storage.

Besides dairy, the middle shelf is great for storing eggs, butter, meal prep ingredients, deli meats, yoghurts, and soft cheeses. All the foods that you want to keep visible and easy to reach. Keeping frequently used items on the middle shelf helps maintain good airflow and organisation throughout the fridge, making your daily cooking more efficient.

3) Bottom Shelves

The bottom shelves are generally the coldest area of the fridge. Ideal for storing meat, poultry, and fish, this compartment of the fridge not only keeps them fresh at a colder temperature but also helps prevent cross-contamination.

If stored on an upper shelf, packaging leaks may cause meat juices to drip onto other items below, leading to the unnecessary spread of bacteria throughout your fridge. Additionally, using sealed containers or bags for raw meats helps contain any leaks and further protects other foods from contamination.

4) Drawer shelf

The bottom drawer in a fridge is most commonly known as a crisper drawer. Its primary purpose is to help preserve the freshness of fruits and vegetables. These drawers regulate humidity to maintain moisture for vegetables or allow ethylene gas released by some fruits to escape, preventing premature ripening.

However, it is important to note to never store the fruits and vegetables together in the same drawer. This is because some fruits produce ethylene gas that prevents premature ripening and cause your veggies to prematurely decay.

For you curious readers, wondering which fruits and veggies emit and are sensitive to ethylene, here’s a rough breakdown.

Not every fruit and vegetable that produces or is sensitive are listed down in the table above, however, a general rule is to keep them separate!

If you do only have only one drawer in your fridge and have to choose between keeping fruits or veggies, keep it for the veg and store fruit on middle shelves as leaves are a little more perishable.

5) Fridge Door

The fridge door is the warmest and most temperature-inconsistent part of the fridge, thanks to how often it's opened. It's best suited for items that are meant to last such as condiments, sauces, and beverages with longer shelf lives. These products also tend to come in odd shapes, making the door a practical space to store them without cluttering the main compartments.

One important tip: avoid overloading the door shelves, as this can be a safety hazard when opening the fridge.

Now that we understand what each compartment is for and where our different types of produce belong—what’s next? If you guessed “maintenance”, you’re absolutely right! You can organise your fridge all you want, but somehow, it always ends up messy again. So how do you keep things in order and make sure your fridge stays in tip-top shape? The answer is simple: keep it clean! So how does one clean their fridge?

Fridge Cleaning & Maintenance

First things first: never use bleach to clean your fridge. Traces can linger, and no one wants their food tasting like chemicals. For tough stains, try using vinegar instead! It’s a food-safe alternative that helps break down grease, eliminates mould and bacteria, and even neutralises odours.

So, how often should you clean your fridge? For light maintenance, consistency is key. Wipe up spills immediately to prevent bacteria and mould from forming. Once a week, make it a habit to check for old or expired items and clear them out.

How about a full deep-clean? Ideally, give your fridge a thorough cleaning every 3 months. Not sure how to start? We got you covered.

Step 1: Make Your Own Food-Safe Cleaning Solution

Skip the harsh chemicals! Your fridge is where your food lives, after all! Instead, whip up a gentle yet effective cleaner with ingredients you probably already have at home. In a spray bottle, mix:

2 tablespoons of vinegar or baking soda (both are natural deodorisers and help break down grime)
2 tablespoons of dish soap (for cutting through grease)
500ml of warm water

Give the bottle a good shake to combine everything, and your fridge-safe cleaning spray is ready to go!

Step 2: Empty Your Fridge Completely

Yes, everything has to come out — leftovers, sauces, vegetables and shelves! Removing all items gives you full access to all the corners, making cleaning way easier and more effective. Plus, it’s the perfect time to toss anything that’s expired, gone bad, or simply forgotten.

Step 3: Turn Off the Fridge

Before you start scrubbing, switch off your fridge at the power source. This keeps you safe, saves energy, and prevents any moisture or cleaning spray from affecting electrical components.

Step 4: Spray and Scrub

Next, generously spray your homemade solution all over the interior surfaces and even the rubber door seals. Don’t forget your removed shelves too! Let the solution sit for a few minutes to break down grime and loosen stubborn stains.

Use an old toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas or grooves, then wipe everything down with a microfibre cloth to clean away any remaining residue.

Step 5: Let It Dry & Restock

Make sure all surfaces are completely dry before turning the fridge back on and restocking your items. As you return everything, give each item a quick wipe so you’re not putting dirt back into your freshly cleaned fridge.

Now take a step back, breathe in the freshness, and enjoy your sparkling-clean fridge!

Pro Tips to Keep In Mind!

Finally, here are some pro tips to keep in mind when storing your fresh produce in the fridge! Storing your fruits and vegetables properly isn’t just about keeping things neat. Proper storing methods allow your produce to stay fresher for longer, reduce food waste, and save you money! So whether you're stocking up for the week or just got back from the market, these handy tips will help you make the most of every leafy green and juicy fruit you bring home.

1. Chopped Greens

By storing chopped greens in airtight containers with a paper towel, it prevents them from losing moisture to the fridge as well as becoming soggy from its own moisture. The combination of these two tools ensure that your veggies have a “controlled” environment and can stay crunchy until you need to next use them!

2. Berries

Due to their high moisture, berries get mouldy and mushy quickly. Hence, you can try soaking berries in a vinegar and water solution to help extend their shelf life by killing bacteria and mould spores that cause them to spoil. Then, store them in a jar with a paper towel underneath to absorb any excess moisture.

3. Citrus Fruits

Storing citrus fruits in a mesh bag inside the crisper drawer of the fridge allows for better air circulation, which helps prevent mould and spoilage, while the fridge keeps them cool and extends their shelf life. P.S. *Do not wash your citrus fruits before storage as the excess moisture will cause the skin to deteriorate faster*

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