It is a common practice for many people to stuff their grocery haul into the fridge and call it a day. While stocking a fridge is quick and easy, this approach can do more harm than good. It can increase the risk of food spoilage and hamper the optimal functioning of the fridge. To ensure the appliance’s durability and lower the risk of food spoilage, avoid these common mistakes people often make with their fridge.

Not making the most of the fridge space
A common problem many face is that the fridge space is not enough to store everything they want. But if one looks closely, they will find many things inside the fridge that have eaten up some necessary space—for instance, bottles of expired sauces or juice boxes and yogurt tubs that have gone bad. A common mistake many people commit is forgetting to declutter their fridge, making it difficult for them to make the most of the available space.

Keeping the temperature too high or too low
It is important to set the fridge temperature at the correct level depending on the weather conditions. For instance, the fridge temperature can be at the lower end during warm and hot months and towards the higher end during colder months. In general, the temperature of the fridge can be between 35 and 38 degrees F.

Not cleaning the fridge regularly
Another common mistake one may make with their fridge is not cleaning it often. Keeping all the drawers, shelves, and walls of the fridge completely clean is crucial. It is recommended to spot clean the fridge at least once a week and deep clean it about once a month. Any spills or drips must be cleaned immediately to lower the risk of odors and bacterial growth. Also, make sure to defrost the fridge at regular intervals. Moreover, ensure that the defrosted water is drained without any accumulation in any part of the fridge.

Keeping warm leftover food in the fridge
Storing leftover food in the fridge is a good idea to prevent it from spoiling. But not waiting for the food to cool down before placing it in the fridge is a mistake that must be avoided at all times. This is because keeping warm food in the fridge will raise the overall temperature inside the appliance. Further, it will trigger bacterial growth and increase the risk of spoilage of the leftover food as well as other items in the fridge. So, always wait for the leftover food to cool down before refrigerating it.

Not keeping the correct foods in the right places
It is easy to just stuff any food in any empty space one finds in their fridge. But this is a common mistake to avoid. It is important to organize the stuff correctly to prevent spoilage and ensure the food lasts longer. A simple way to organize everything in the refrigerator is to place the ones with a quicker expiry or use-by date in the front of the fridge. Here are some additional tips to help organize the fridge:

• Keep pre-cooked meats, leftovers, and foods that don’t need cooking on the top shelf.
• Place all the dairy products, such as milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt, on the middle shelf.
• Foods with a high risk of cross-contamination, such as wrapped fish and meat, must be placed on the lower shelves.
• Keep all the fresh produce like salads, fruits, veggies, and herbs in the drawers.
• The inner door is the warmest part of the fridge and, thus, can be used to keep condiments, fruit juices, and jams.