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Take your place at the table

Fridges are machines that work flawlessly if properly maintained. In truth, you don't need to do much about them, compared to what you do about your car or air conditioner. But still, these appliances need a little bit of care and organisation. Apart from this they also need cleaning.

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An organised fridge means you can find food much easier in the first place. But there are many other benefits. For example, by knowing exactly what products you have you can save money. When you are at the shop you tend to buy great amounts of things you don't need. The more things you have in your fridge, the less you will need when shopping.

Another advantage of having an organised refrigerator is that food, if stored properly, will be fresh longer. That's right. Every product has a place in your fridge. Some things need to be placed on the bottom, whereas others are better off on the middle shelf.

Not sure which products to put where? Keep reading and you'll find out how to keep your fridge organised.

Step 1: Cleaning

Before you start organising your fridge, it is a good idea to clean it well first or to hire a company like http://www.topdomesticcleaners.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaner-london/east-acton-W3 to do that for you. What should you do? First off, unplug the machine and let it defrost. Then start wiping down the outside. Now wipe down the inside using a standard cleaner such as an all-purpose product. Dry well with a towel before turning the machine on. Now you are ready to place all the contents back in the fridge. Check out our storing tips in Step 2.

Step 2: Organising

Milk: many people put milk on the top shelf because they erroneously think that this is the coldest place in a fridge. However, milk should be put on the bottom because this is where the temperature is the lowest.

Fruit: since fruits contain water, the best place in the fridge is the low humidity drawer. When you place them, make sure you keep them in a loosely tied plastic bag or in their original packaging. Tip: don't wash fruits before you store them in the fridge. Leave this for when you eat them. Water can trigger mould.

Vegetables: contrary to fruits, vegetables prefer humidity. If you want them to stay fresh longer, be sure to place your veggies in the high humidity drawer or the one labelled vegetables. Just like fruits, you'd better store them in a plastic bag or in their original packaging.

Eggs: eggs must be stored in their original cartons on the middle shelf. This is where the temperature is constant.

Orange juice: pasteurised juice is fine on the door. If it is fresh-squeezed, place it on the bottom.

Cheese and butter: these products are usually placed on the warmest part. If there is a special dairy compartment in the fridge, store them in it.

Deli meat: there is a special drawer for meat so it's best if you put delis there. This part of the fridge is usually the coldest. If, however, your machine doesn't have such a container, you'd better put the deli meat on the bottom.

Packaged raw meat: raw meat belongs in the coldest place of the fridge, which is the bottom shelf.

Condiments: jarred salsa, salad dressing, mayonnaise, ketchup and prickles can be placed on the door. Walnut oils and sesame should be placed on the door as well. Vegetable and olive oils can be left in the pantry, there is no need for them to stay in the fridge.

We hope you find these tips to be very helpful.

oliviaspencermoore

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I'm a writer and I love to share my experience. Currently I live in London.