Welcome to Coming Clean, a monthly column where writer Lauren Viera finds the best products for the toughest-to-clean parts of the kitchen. Along the way, she just might convince you (and herself) to actually enjoy this whole cleaning thing.
Thereās something about autumn that says, āStop procrastinating and live your best life already.ā Maybe this motivation to do something majorāto accomplish somethingāis thanks to the residual emotional effect of countless back-to-school seasons. Years of adolescent ritualsāthe sharpening of pencils, the creasing of new notebooks āhave conditioned us to associate fall with taking care of business. And right now, the kind of taking care of business I'm suggesting is organizing your fridge.
First up? Empty it. Of everythingāincluding all those random condiments. Next, clean it like you mean it. Now youāre ready to transform that chilly blank box into an oasis of food so inviting, itāll inspire you to cook more often (and, in my case, eat more fresh fruit). Behold: the most practical, beautiful, and earth-friendly refrigerator organization ideas and tools to help you live your best life, starting now.
OXO Greensaver Produce Keepers
Produce doesnāt lie: when itās past its prime, you know. Extend the longevity of your fridge's most precious cargo with these brilliant containers. The built-in basket protects produce from moisture puddles, and the adjustable lid vent is fitted with a slim carbon filter to help reduce spoilage. Thereās even a date indicator and a companion app to remind you when to change the filter.
Glass Herb Keeper
If you fancy your herbs worthy of museum-quality display, or just want to keep them fresher longer, invest in one of these. Made of sturdy glass, this keeperās slim design allows it to slip into the door of your fridge.
Five Two Airtight Silicone Lids
Of all the tools considered here, these are the most versatile. Cover leftovers with these surprisingly strong airtight silicone lids and pop āem in the fridge. When youāre ready to reheat, theyāre safe to use in the oven up to 550Ā°F. They make great splash guards, theyāre dishwasher-safe, and the color palette is just so good.
Beeswax Wrap
If you havenāt yet ditched plastic wrap, do it for your fridge makeover. The best alternative is beeswax wrap, and Beeās Wrap is my favorite. It does everything plastic wrap can do, and looks way cuter doing it.
Food Huggers
Saving half an avocado for later? Give it a hug. Need to cover your ramekin of olives? Here, have a hug. Stashing a half-eaten cucumber for tomorrowās salad? Hug it. These stretchy silicone sealers add little pops of color all over the fridge, and are the perfect no-fuss way to cover half-eaten produce without using single-use plastics or dirtying a dish.
OXO Good Grips Glass Food Storage Containers
At last: an excuse to ditch all those junky takeout containers. Made from crystal-clear borosilicate glass, these come in all sizes, are tough as nails, and neatly stack together when they're not holding leftovers in the fridge.
Stasher 100% Silicone Reusable Food Bag
What first appears to be a basic reusable version of the classic Ziploc bag is so much more. Made of nontoxic silicone, Stashers are heat-safe up to 400Ā°F, making for seamless fridge-to-range marinades, sous vides, and more.
BINO 12-Inch Lazy Susan
Why more people donāt use a Lazy Susan in the fridge is beyond me: itās perfect for that back corner relegated to pickles, hot sauces, and salad dressings. Stick those orphans on a merry-go-round of condiments, and theyāre way more likely to get noticed and way easier to access.
Fridge Monkey Can Stacker
Rack-style bottle storage is great if your fridge has the real estate. But in smaller spaces, even a six-pack of Spindrifts can crowd a corner. Go vertical with this simple rubber stacker designed to stack 10 12-ounce cans or bottles, or nine-ish wine or spirit bottles.
iDesign Linus Pantry Bins
Picture it: a world without towers of yogurt (or applesauce, or whatever) threatening to topple from the top shelf. Bins are great for wrangling these strays, and give your fridge instant āorganized adultā status.
