https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:57:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2804271 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:55:32 +0000 DesertDreams88 2804271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: everyone's got their own things, right? I read about all these fabulous bday parties here on HB and I'm all like, I ordered pizza &amp; 2-liters of soda, made a box cake mix, brought it all to a park, and invited 4 families we're friends with. Done. Oops also I forgot to take more than 5 photos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2804270 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:52:35 +0000 DesertDreams88 2804270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: Yep, I use Frys, which is a Kroger affiliate. I did the 3-times-try and by then I was hooked. It is SO much more efficient and cheaper. I've cut my monthly groceries/personal care budget from $650 down to $500, and I'm getting a lot more fuel points to save on gas.</p> <p>- I can see a running total of my "cart"<br /> - I can compare prices with amazon<br /> - I can notice trends over time<br /> - The "sale items" and "coupon" section learns your preferences and shows you most common items first<br /> - In the coupons section, you add the coupon and it shows you the items that match so you don't pick out the "wrong" item (you can "add to cart" directly from the coupons section)<br /> - The produce has always been fresh and good-looking<br /> - The few times items have been unavailable, they usually take off the $5 ClickList fee or add a small discount to the order </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2804264 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:30:29 +0000 gotkimchi 2804264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: what store do you use? Kroger offers this here and you can try for free 3 times but I haven’t tried yet </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2804097 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 00:39:12 +0000 travellingbee 2804097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh no, my fridge is a freaking disaster. Both fridges actually. (We have one in the laundry room too). I have a fruit and a veggie drawer and a drawer for cheese and sliced meat. All drinks go in the back fridge. Other than that, it’s a free for all! Would I like to be more organized? I guess. But is it worth the time to me? Not really. So, messy fridge it is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2804064 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 19:43:42 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2804064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: yep! I am on your team. I want to be an organized schedule mom but I am more like a hot mess. Oh well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803991 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:23:30 +0000 MenagerieMama 2803991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, I’ll post so other people don’t feel so badly. Our fridge is not organized other than meat in the meat drawer and produce in the produce drawer. LO1 has a shelf she can reach that in theory has healthy snacks but right now just has a cold pack since she is in a boo-boo phase. Everything else is pretty haphazard. I have no routine to clear things from the fridge other than when it gets smelly or we run out of space. I routinely discovered moldy mystery items. I can remember one time in the past 6 months that I scrubbed out the entire fridge. I also do not meal prep in coordinated efforts. Whew! I wish I was like all you ladies but this is my life :meh: :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803949 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:50:52 +0000 alphagam84 2803949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's pretty organized. We don't label anything but we keep the fruit and veggies in their own drawers, milk has a spot, etc. We have a third middle drawer between the freezer and fridge where we keep bread, milk, and cold cuts so I think that helps with organization. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803872 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:31:55 +0000 snowjewelz 2803872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh, it's not that clean and not that organized. DH does most of the cooking/grocery shopping, and I go in about once a week to fish out expired things, and clean it up a little bit. </p> <p>I would love to get bins &amp; all and go into super organizing mode, but as I'm not the one putting the groceries away in the fridge daily, I know DH will hate me haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803808 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 22:23:59 +0000 DesertDreams88 2803808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: In terms of washing and cutting, we don't do very much at all. For veggies, we only buy frozen bagged ones. For fruit, we buy fresh and store in the fridge or counter, or bags of frozen fruit. For cheese &amp; meat, it's always sliced already from the deli - we don't use blocks or large sections, that's just not our thing. </p> <p>You asked what if we have to put away groceries quickly... well, haha, we just don't. Our local store updates their sales on their app on Wednesday, I compile my order via the app on Thursday nights during TGIT, DH &amp; I add to it here and there, then Saturday night I place the order and pick it up after church Sunday. It's a $5 fee. We almost never plan anything Sunday afternoon; but if we did, we'd change our grocery pick-up time so that we'd have enough time to put away groceries properly. On the rare occasions that we need to grab a couple extra items, it's only 2-4 things so it's no big deal. Switching over to one weekly grocery trip and grocery pick-up via an app has saved us a boatload of money and made the whole process SO much more efficient. Even if you want to stick with in-person shopping, I personally don't think it would be hard to pick one day a week and stick with it, and/or just plan ahead to have time after.</p> <p>It takes us about 20 minutes to unbox and store everything. We also usually use our Sunday afternoons to pre-make meals for the week - that takes about an hour more. DH makes, bags, and freezes all his sandwiches for lunch, I make &amp; freeze all of LO's bento boxes, and DH or I will make a meal or two that gets portioned up and frozen for us. </p> <p>As for pics:<br /> - Yes the apple juice is out of place, haha. It's too tall for the drinks section! I guess I could re-label :)<br /> - I'm more forgiving with bags of frozen veggies in the door since the shelves are so small, stacking isn't an issue. But yes, in most of the fridge/freezer, everything gets un-bagged and put in stackable containers.</p> <p>[attach=5393/18/p42k40.337x600.2018-02-12-18.32.21.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=5393/18/p42k41.337x600.2018-02-12-18.33.04.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=5393/18/p42k42.337x600.2018-02-12-18.33.51.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=5393/18/p42k43.337x600.2018-02-12-18.33.59.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803774 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:48:32 +0000 irene 2803774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys are so inspiring!!! Now I will also make sure I put time aside to clean out the fridge every 2 weeks!!! (Let's see if I can do it ) </p> <p>For me we do fill the fridge up loosely everytime after a grocery store trip, but it is pretty much emptied by the end of the week. My issue is I am just sick of randomly throwing groceries into the fridge and I really need to step up and set up a system.</p> <p>@Mrs D: Thank you soooooo much for that link! Wow!!!! I am so inspired! There are indeed unicorns out there! It is so encouraging when I read that clearing out and wiping down everything inside the fridge actually only take 2-5 minutes. I guess I am afraid of the "procedure" because I have seen my mom did that for HOURS when I was a kid. She unplugged the fridge and this and that but that was way back then. She is also known to do everything in snail pace. OK I am very inspired!</p> <p> @looch: You are magical. OK I will wipe down the fridge more often.... ha!</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: Good for you! That's a lot of things and you keep it organize and everything fit! </p> <p>@DesertDreams88: You are my spirit animal. Enough said. How much time do you spend to put your groceries away every time? And what about things like broccoli, celeries - do you literally wash/cut them and put them into containers right there? What if you have to quickly leave your groceries and run out for another event (eg. birthday party to go to or a show to catch)? And my last wish: Can you take a pic of your fridge and show us? haha! :silly: </p> <p>@808love: Haha!!! OK i feel less bad now. I am more like you! OK. I am going to do a before and after fridge makeover, but I may not be able to get around to do it until the weekend. Or maybe tomorrow... we'll see... :-) It is embarrassing to take a pic of my fridge right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803772 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:18:11 +0000 808love 2803772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is horrible right now! But it doesn’t really bother me. Ok, maybe a little. I’m a stickler for stacking dishes correctly in cabinet but more flex when it comes to food. Our fridge is so small I really just have to pick a shelf it fits height wise. </p> <p>[attach=1524/18/p42bic.450x600.536AA694-CF64-4036-A5ED-C12BB5D01DDA.jpeg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803762 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 17:52:10 +0000 DesertDreams88 2803762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think my fridge and freezer is decently organized. How so?</p> <p>- Each shelf's "category" is labeled with dry erase marker on the side. Categories are things like like milk, drinks, kids, adults, meat &amp; cheeses, sweets, spreads, etc. In the freezer, we have shelves for frozen veggies, fruit, pizza, and prepared meals.</p> <p>- I generally don't "let" my husband put away groceries, that's my job bc I care about its organization. </p> <p>- NOTHING gets stored in bags or covered plates. EVERYTHING goes in CLEAR plastic or glass rectangular or square storage containers. This includes bags of frozen veggies, fruit, meat, etc. This allows for better stacking and seeing what we have, and moving items around easily.</p> <p>- During every school break, I re-assess expiration dates and physically wipe down all shelves. If I wasn't on-top of this in general, it'd probably have to be every month.</p> <p>- About 2-3 times a year we have a "pantry &amp; freezer" month where we limit our grocery shopping and instead make a list of EVERYTHING we have, and meal plan based on that. These months usually are after a month where we've overspent on groceries.</p> <p>As for cleaning cloths... I keep a box of dishtowels in one of our cabinets, and we use those instead of paper towels. They're sizes small, medium, and large, and they're white so I can bleach them. When they get used, I throw them in a small laundry hamper in our laundry area, which is connected to the kitchen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803733 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:44:39 +0000 Foodnerd81 2803733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: oh and we use the same cloth for their faces all day and just drape it over the sink or faucet in between meals. Or DH puts it in the dish drying rack which I think is gross. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803731 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:43:40 +0000 Foodnerd81 2803731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: we use too many paper towels still, but we do use washcloths to wipe the kids faces after meals. In our tiny condo the tiny laundry closet was next to the kitchen, with a stacked washer and dryer. We got a small plastic crate (like a mini milk crate) and kept it on top of the dryer. We would put the damp dirty cloths hanging over the side of the basket until dry then leave in it and put those in every load of laundry we ran. </p> <p>Our fridge isn’t awful but not terribly organized or clean. I’ve been making a bigger effort lately and got a few of the clear plastic bins to keep certain things organized- like all the yogurts are in one. I bought a couple more and need to figure out how best to use them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803730 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:39:54 +0000 agold 2803730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: @looch: Thank you for these tips, girls. And I just realized that I could probably get by with using one or a few rags a day. Just rinse them out and reuse. So that's so much better than the stack of rags I was imagining if I was using rags in an amount equal to the paper towels I use each day! :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803718 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:19:29 +0000 petitenoisette 2803718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Haha, ok so we literally just use a small open cardboard box :P To dry things I have an island/cart that has a towel bar on each side so I put the dirty ones on one side (which is above the trash can so clearly the "dirty" side). We also don't really eat meat at home so that reduces a bit of the ick factor (if I did I would prob use paper towels for anything raw meat related). </p> <p>What about a couple hooks on the side of the fridge? And I feel you on the moldy stuff! I am obsessive about recycling and so if I do find something moldy I feel like I have to clean it out so I can recycle the container and my DH is like um just throw it away. But what about the Earth?!?! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803711 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:00:20 +0000 looch 2803711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: another alternative is to dry them in the bathroom, like slung over the shower curtain rod. I do that sometimes, to minimize my trips to the laundry room. I don't put them in a bin wet, that's a recipe for strong odors that are hard to get out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803694 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:22:44 +0000 SweetiePie 2803694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine is fairly organized. For loose items like yogurt pouches I like to use the fridge bins from Container Store.<br /> It’s definitely always clean though - I can’t stand spills or anything on the shelves. I don’t have a set schedule I just wipe as I see messes.<br /> My old cleaning lady did empty and clean the fridge out every 2 weeks and that was wonderful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803693 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:22:35 +0000 snowjewelz 2803693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I love that blog so much :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803692 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:16:51 +0000 yoursilverlining 2803692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My refrigerator is pretty organized, but it’s all because of necessity, not because I’m a naturally organized person or type A or anything. On Sundays I make ahead snacks for LO for the week (5), lunches for my husband and I (10 lunches, often 1-3 Tupperwares each), AM snacks (10; mostly yogurt), PM snacks (10) and assorted grab and go options like cut fruit and whatnot. Then I also make some batches for LO’s dinners during the week (rice, pasta) and some meal prep for our dinners too. Things have to be organized to fit everything in. </p> <p>I clean out the fridge every week; again because of necessity. I need ALL my Tupperware back every Sunday lol :silly:</p> <p>Here’s my fridge </p> [attach=1754/18/p41xl1.450x600.E4951806-D3F7-474C-88D4-464BC32C645C.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803689 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:07:55 +0000 agold 2803689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Oh, I would love the convenience of a greatly place laundry room with utility sink! :heart: </p> <p>@petitenoisette: What kind of container do you use? I'm worried about mold issues since I probably wouldn't be putting them in the laundry every day. Where do you put them to let them dry out? (I'm in a tiny condo so I"m always thinking of "where do i put it" type of problems.) And re: fridge organization - finding something gross is a big fear of mine! :silly: I once opened a little container of pesto and it was all moldy. I use pesto all the time so not sure how quickly that happened, but now I constantly check it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803685 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:59:04 +0000 petitenoisette 2803685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My fridge is not very organized except for the things we always have that go in generally the same spot (milk, eggs, etc.). We are redoing our kitchen and getting a new fridge shortly so I'm hoping it will be easier to organize that - the one we have right now is just the barebones apartment-style fridge with wire shelves and two bins at the bottom. </p> <p>However, I am good about knowing what is in the fridge and its rare that I find something like gross and hidden in the back. I think the biggest thing is to not overbuy so that you have plenty of room for things and you don't waste food. I think no matter what you do if your fridge is stuffed to the max it is not going to look organized and things will get lost in there. </p> <p>@agold: We use kitchen towels a lot in lieu of paper towels and keep a container under the sink for dirty ones. Usually I let things dry first before I put them in there bc I only need to wash them every other week or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803681 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:53:19 +0000 looch 2803681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I use cloth for almost everything in the kitchen (with the exception of handling raw meat). When I am done with a cloth, I bring it to the laundry room and I let it air dry hanging over the ledge of my utility sink before laundry day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803679 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:51:09 +0000 agold 2803679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I go through my fridge every week on the day I grocery shop. As I move new things in, I take out old stuff (we unfortunately waste some food regularly.) I wipe down the glass shelves at this time, too. Its not perfect but I try to make it so that everything in the fridge can be seen and ready-to-grab. So I wash all the fruit before I put it away in the fridge. I'm always trying to improve because I don't like visual clutter. I try to keep the little shelfs on the inside of the fridge door organized with the types of things I put in them. I dont use my freezer regularly so its just whatever is thrown in there. Usually ice cream, some chilled beer mugs and a few pieces of meat I bought in advance. No real organization, but its not packed. I'd love if people with greatly organized refrigerators would post pictures! I don't even use the drawers properly, but might start doing so now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803674 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:48:40 +0000 agold 2803674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I like using cloth rags to clean, also. Since my LO is a toddler now, I feel like I go through a roll of paper towels almost daily and want to start using cloths more to do things like wipe up under her high chair. Do you use cloths for things like that? And if so, how and where do you keep the dirty cloths? A little bucket under the sink? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803672 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:44:44 +0000 Mrs D 2803672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should check out the blog <a href="http://www.iheartorganizing.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.iheartorganizing.com</a> she has GREAT ideas and always links the items she is using. I use the plastic file boxes she raves over in my fridge and pantry. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803655 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 12:26:53 +0000 KT326 2803655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine is pretty organized, everything has its place but I know it could be better. I've moved shelves around to try and minimize wasted space. I also use shelf liners, makes it so much easier to take out and wipe down. </p> <p>I'm considering some bins to make it even easier to find things. Plus I think it would help my older son get his own snacks.</p> <p>I try and clean it out completely every two weeks. We are really bad about buying produce and then never using it. I'm trying to get better with that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803647 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:37:13 +0000 looch 2803647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I am constantly cleaning it and I use cloth kitchen towels on the shelves under things like milk containers and inside the drawers. I do have a cleaning lady, but she doesn't touch the inside of the fridge. </p> <p>I also wipe the surfaces down regularly. I am really weird about smells and there is nothing that turns me off more than to open the fridge and have it have weird smells. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803641 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:25:47 +0000 irene 2803641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: How do you keep it spotless -- Do you clean it once a week / month and do you have someone to come in and clean for you ? I am terrible at that... </p> <p>I would love to have a system too! I am googling images. Just that when it comes time to unload groceries you just want to dump it all in and move on to do something else lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-organize-is-your-refrigerator#post-2803638 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 10:51:48 +0000 looch 2803638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha, I was just thinking this weekend I need a better system! I have this one section that is too tall and it wastes space, then everything else is just random! </p> <p>My fridge is spotless inside, but it's not organized. </p>