Every time I visit my 91-year-old grandma (I call her Nana), I make sure to bring some of her favorite foods. Whether it’s pre-cut fruit, mini muffins, or my homemade vegan mac and cheese (her favorite), this gesture always leads to the same exchange. I ask if she wants me to put the goodies away in her fridge, to which she says, “Absolutely not!” and gets off the couch to put them away herself.
Nana has very high standards for her fridge, and she doesn’t quite trust anyone else in there. In fact, she keeps her entire fridge and freezer so impeccably tidy that our family likes to jokingly call it an art gallery (and no, you’re not allowed to touch the art). When I recently told Nana that my fridge was becoming a disorganized mess, she gave me a tip that’s helped her keep her own fridge organized for 70 years.
My Grandma’s Golden Rule for Keeping Her Fridge So Organized
When I told Nana that I was often tossing jars and containers back into the fridge while rushing through meal prep, she gave me her golden rule: Never put anything back in the fridge when you’re hungry and in a hurry. Instead, she recommends leaving every ingredient (that isn’t immediately perishable) out on the counter until you’ve finished eating.
I couldn’t believe I never thought about that before! By waiting, you’re not only less frazzled, but also more likely to wipe down any greasy or sticky items, and neatly put everything back in its place in the fridge. I couldn’t wait to implement this when I got back home.
More Brilliant Fridge Organizing Rules from Nana
In addition to this brilliant trick, Nana dished on more of her fridge non-negotiables.
Line every shelf.
Nana uses paper towels to line each fridge shelf, replacing them every few weeks. In her freezer, she uses washable liners, which are easy to clean and a great reusable option for both the fridge and freezer. This simple hack keeps spills and crumbs from sticking.
Wipe any items prior to putting them away.
Before you put anything back in the fridge, check for drips or smudges. According to Nana, sticky jars of jam, syrup, or pasta sauce should always get a quick wipe. It makes a huge difference in keeping things clean.
Face labels forward.
This may sound small, but facing the labels forward makes the fridge look neater and helps you keep better track of what you have — which, in turn, can help reduce waste.
Reuse fruit containers.
Rather than tossing loose fruit and vegetables into the produce drawer, Nana uses saved berry containers to keep everything organized. It’s smart, simple, and sustainable.
Don’t overshop.
It can be tempting to stock up on all your favorite items, but this can lead to clutter and food waste. Nana finishes every last drop of jam and salad dressing before opening a new bottle and putting it in the fridge. It saves space and money — and helps avoid waste.
My fridge may never quite achieve gallery status, but I’m doing my best to follow Nana’s tips — and it’s looking better already.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: My Grandma’s Golden Rule Has Kept Her Fridge Organized for 70 Years