My husband and I moved into a new place a few months ago. While I was packing up my Los Angeles apartment, the kitchen was particularly overwhelming. My fridge was a mess and I was constantly throwing out food that had gone bad, lost in the abyss in the back. But I was surprised by the sheer amount of disorganization; it was a jumble of old condiments, forgotten leftovers, and wilting produce. When we moved into our new space, I knew I had to do things differently.
I couldn’t let my fridge become a source of anxiety and overwhelm again. That’s when I remembered my mom’s secret trick: the “One-In, One-Out” fridge organizing method.
My Mom’s “One-In, One-Out Fridge” Trick
The trick is simple — every time you put a new container of leftovers, a new jar of sauce, or a new batch of produce into the fridge, you quickly scan for something that needs to go out (either to eat or throw out). Before putting any new items away, you simply check for a container of mystery food that’s been there too long or a jar of jam that’s past its prime. I figured a new, clean fridge was the perfect opportunity to give this approach a try, so I did.
What Happened When I Tried This “One-In, One-Out” Trick
Once we had all our groceries and food stored in the new fridge, I told my husband it was time to put the rule into practice. Starting from a clean slate was easy — I’d put away a container of leftovers, and I’d also finish the last piece of dark chocolate or toss out an almost-empty milk carton. The next day, before a grocery run, I’d make sure to eat the last of the yogurt or use up the wilting strawberries for a smoothie. Slowly, this small, consistent effort became part of our daily routine.
Over the last few months, this “One-In, One-Out” approach has made a huge difference in the organization and overall tidiness of our fridge and kitchen. The ongoing cycle of putting things in and taking things out means our fridge never gets super full or messy. Instead, it’s always organized and clean!
How the “One-In, One-Out” Trick Saves Money and Prevents Food Waste
In addition to keeping the fridge tidy, this approach has also drastically reduced our monthly food budget. Before, we were always buying new condiments or produce, only to find a half-full bottle or a forgotten box tucked in the back. Now, as we regularly scan the contents, we always know what we have. This easy habit stack has prevented us from over-purchasing and wasting food. It’s incredible how just a few extra seconds of daily effort have added up to real savings.
The “One-In, One-Out” rule is a simple yet powerful method for fridge organizing — instead of waiting for a disorderly mess to build up and then doing a massive purge, you’re proactively keeping things organized. I think it could also work nicely in other parts of the kitchen and rest of my home, like in the cabinets, freezer, under my sink, and even in my closet.
To take this method one step further, I want to add fridge organizers that work to complement the rule. My mom has found that using transparent boxes to group similar things, lazy Susans for easy access to items, and matching reusable containers for leftovers makes it even easier to see what you have and where things should be kept. Where would I be without her?
What do you think of the “One-In, One-Out” rule? Let us know in the comments below!