How do you keep your fridge healthy?

Author: Eliane Cummings  |  Last update: Sunday, November 23, 2025

Consider your fridge as your place for daily foods. Any item that you wouldn't be eating regularly doesn't need to be in there. Next, take out foods that you don't necessarily need. I often find a lot of produce taking up space (avocados, potatoes, apples, oranges, etc.).

How to prolong the life of a refrigerator?

Here are some tips to help you keep your fridge humming happily along.
  1. Vacuum the Condenser Coils. ...
  2. Keep the Door Gaskets Clean. ...
  3. Change the Water Filter. ...
  4. Keep the Top of the Fridge Clear. ...
  5. Clean the Water/Ice Dispenser.

How do I keep my fridge bacteria free?

Here are 10 tips on how to keep your refrigerator clean and bacteria-free:
  1. Wipe down the shelves and drawers regularly. ...
  2. Remove any spills immediately. ...
  3. Clean the door seals. ...
  4. Defrost the freezer regularly. ...
  5. Use a mild soap and water solution. ...
  6. Dry the surfaces thoroughly. ...
  7. Unplug your refrigerator before cleaning.

What should you fill your fridge with?

In the Refrigerator
  • Milk (fat-free or low-fat)
  • Cheese (block, shredded, sliced, or string and consider lower fat options)
  • Yogurt (fat-free or low-fat and choose options with fewer or no added sugars)
  • Eggs.
  • Fruits.
  • Vegetables.
  • Butter or margarine.

What food is good for a refrigerator?

14 Best Foods to Keep in Your Fridge
  • 1/15. Plan Ahead. You're hungry and staring into your fridge, but is there anything healthy in there? ...
  • 2/15. Turkey. It's low in fat and sodium, and high in protein. ...
  • 3/15. Salsa. ...
  • 4/15. Hummus. ...
  • 5/15. Eggs. ...
  • 6/15. Kale. ...
  • 7/15. Seltzer. ...
  • 8/15. 100% Fruit Juice.

5 Foods to Keep in your Fridge | WebMD

How can I make my fridge healthy?

Organize Your Refrigerator for Healthy Eating
  1. Schedule Time to Clean Your Refrigerator. ...
  2. Designate Areas in the Refrigerator. ...
  3. Keep Fruits and Veggies at Eye Level. ...
  4. Cut and Wash Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  5. Store Food in Glass Containers. ...
  6. Store Food that is Ready to Eat.

What should I not put in my fridge?

22 foods not to refrigerate
  • Apples.
  • Avocados.
  • Bananas.
  • Bell peppers.
  • Berries.
  • Bread.
  • Chocolate.
  • Coffee.

What food not to keep in the fridge?

10 Types of Food You Should Never Keep in the Fridge
  • Bread. We know the feeling of not wanting a perfectly good loaf of bread to go to waste. ...
  • Tomatoes. Are you a fan of tomatoes for their natural sweetness? ...
  • Onions. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Fresh herbs. ...
  • Bananas. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Honey.

How to stock up on healthy food?

These include items like whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, nut butters, dried fruits, and vegetables. You can also stock up on canned foods like beans, tuna, salmon, and chicken, which last for a long time and help avoid wasteful spending.

How long do eggs last in the fridge?

Eggs may be refrigerated three to five weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The "Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs will be perfectly safe to use. Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or Exp (expiration) date on the carton.

How do I disinfect the inside of my refrigerator?

Wipe the inside of the empty refrigerator with hot, soapy water, then wipe with clean water to rinse off soap. Dry with a clean towel. DON'T FORGET TO WIPE INSIDE THE DOORS AND ANY DRAWERS THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED. USE A SOLUTION OF 1 TABLESPOON OF LIQUID BLEACH IN 1 GALLON OF WATER TO SANITIZE YOUR REFRIGERATOR.

How do I keep bugs out of my fridge?

Place pantry staples like flour, powdered sugar and cornmeal in the refrigerator in airtight containers to keep bugs out. You can also store coffee and nuts in the freezer. Pests are always on the lookout for a quick meal!

What is the best fridge deodorizer?

The Best: Remodeez Aqua Refrigerator Deodorizer

This means that a single Remodeez will last much longer than anything full of baking soda (though the baking soda models can be refilled). Basically, you only need to replace it every six months—which is about five months and 27 days longer than your oldest leftovers.

What shortens the life of a refrigerator?

For example, overloading the fridge with too much food can put extra strain on the motor, which will cause it to work harder and potentially fail sooner. Similarly, frequently opening and closing the fridge door can also lead to premature wear and tear.

What brand of refrigerator will last the longest?

Some of the most long-lasting refrigerator brands come from GE, LG, and Bosch. These refrigerators come at different price points, whether you are looking for a standard model or high-end appliance.

What makes a refrigerator go bad?

The three most common reasons for failures that we see as a result of wear & tear are a mechanically locked compressor, failure of the fan motor, and dirty condenser coils. The refrigerator's compressor is the heart of the cooling system; without a working compressor the refrigerator cannot function.

How to have a healthy fridge?

Aim to have lots of fresh veggies, lean meats, fruit, and other foods that come without packaging. Tip: Keep your fridge between 32-40 degrees F. Move the food that spoils quickly to the front where you can easily see it.

What are the top 10 survival foods?

  • Meats & Beans. Canned meat, chicken, turkey, seafood. and other protein-rich foods, such as. ...
  • Vegetables. Canned vegetables and vegetable juices. ...
  • Fruits. Canned fruits and fruit juices. ...
  • Milk. Canned, boxed or dried milk and shelf- ...
  • Grains. Ready-to-eat cereal, crackers, pretzels, ...
  • Water. Enough for 1 gallon per day.

What is the most healthy food to eat?

Top 10 Foods for Health
  1. Water. Drink 8 to 12 cups of water daily.
  2. Dark green vegetables. Eat dark green vegetables at least three to four times a week. ...
  3. Whole grains. Eat whole grains sat least two or three times daily. ...
  4. Beans and lentils. Try to eat a bean-based meal at least once a week. ...
  5. Fish. ...
  6. Berries. ...
  7. Winter squash. ...
  8. Soy.

What 12 foods should not be refrigerated?

WHAT FOODS SHOULD NOT BE REFRIGERATED?
  • TOMATOES. Keep your tomatoes juicy, tasty and ready for your next Tomato and Ricotta Pizza by storing them at room temperature rather than in the fridge.
  • POTATOES. ...
  • ONIONS. ...
  • PICKLES. ...
  • CUCUMBERS. ...
  • BELL PEPPERS. ...
  • AVOCADOS. ...
  • WINTER SQUASH.

Does mayonnaise need to be refrigerated?

You may buy mayonnaise off a non-refrigerated shelf, but the second you pop the top, you must put it in the refrigerator. In fact, the USDA recommends opened mayo be tossed in the trash if its temperature reaches 50 degrees or higher for more than eight hours.

Should cheese be refrigerated?

Soft cheeses such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, and goat cheese must be refrigerated for safety. As a general rule, hard cheeses such as cheddar, processed cheeses (American), and both block and grated Parmesan do not require refrigeration for safety, but they will last longer if kept refrigerated.

Should cucumbers be refrigerated?

Even though cucumbers are prone to chilling injury, the fridge is still the best place to store them. At room temperature, cucumbers will only last for about two days. So, what's the solution? Store cucumbers in the warmest part of the fridge — towards the front, furthest from the cooling elements.

Why don't you put bread in the refrigerator?

According to Baker, it isn't advisable to store bread in the refrigerator. Although it would still be perfectly healthy to eat, she cautions that it will become a lot less palatable because the cold temperature of the fridge will cause the starch in your bread to recrystallize and lose moisture.

Should eggs be kept in the fridge?

Eggs should be kept in a fridge as they need a constant temperature. The fridge is the only place in the kitchen that you can guarantee this. If you can maintain a constant temperature elsewhere in the kitchen then you could keep the eggs there.

Previous article
Why do I have so many flies on my porch?
Next article
What happens if you wash a coat that says dry clean only?