7 Things You Should Toss From the Fridge Right Now

Of all the places you declutter around your home, you may be forgetting your fridge. However, without regularly decluttering the fridge, this space can quickly become a mess of forgotten food, spills, and even smells. So, it pays off to clean out your fridge on a regular basis. “A clean, organized fridge isn’t just more aesthetically pleasing—it can also help you waste less, save money, and keep your food fresher for longer,” says pro organizer Jen Robin.

Ready to declutter your fridge? Here’s what you should toss right now.

Expired Foods

There’s absolutely no reason to keep expired food. Robin advises starting with dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. “Then, toss those leftovers from last week,” she adds.

Lastly, open up the fruit and veggie bins. “Get rid of produce that’s wilted, slimy, or beyond saving,” Robin says.

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t wait until all your fresh foods are spoiled to do this. “Dedicate five minutes once a week to check for expired items—your future self will thank you,” says the organizer. 

Condiments You Never Use

Remember that jar of fancy mustard you tried once and regretted buying four months ago? We all make mistakes, but there’s no reason to keep condiments you’ll never use. “We all have that one bottle of obscure sauce we thought we’d use but never did,” Robin says.

She suggests asking yourself if you’ve used the condiment in the past six months or if you even like it. “If the answer is no, it’s time to let it go,” she explains.

As for the condiments you like or use regularly, like ketchup and mayo, Robin recommends storing them in clear, easily accessible bins. “They’re easier to see and grab,” Robin says.

Foods You Didn’t Like

“Bought a trendy new snack or health food that didn’t hit the mark? Don’t let it sit there taking up space. If you’re not going to eat it, it’s time to toss it,” explains Robin.

It’s okay—sometimes we buy foods we don’t like. Don’t get mad at yourself. Just throw it out and don’t make the same mistake twice. 

Mystery Containers

We all have food containers or bags that hold leftovers or other items that we might not remember putting there. Those things need to go. “If it’s unrecognizable and you can’t remember what it is or when you put it there, it’s time to say goodbye,” Robin says. “Don’t risk it.”

To avoid this problem in the future, Robin says to use clear, labeled containers for leftovers.

Broken or Awkward Organizational Containers

Whether it’s that container you accidentally put in the dishwasher or it’s so old the lid doesn’t quite seal, food containers aren’t meant to last forever and probably aren’t keeping your food fresh. “That bin that doesn’t quite fit or the lid that’s always falling off? It’s not helping your fridge stay organized,” explains Robin. “Invest in modular containers designed for fridge storage. They’ll make your space more efficient and visually pleasing.”

Multiples of the Same Item

We’ve all made mistakes (like having three bottles of ranch open at the same time). It’s not a big deal (eventually you’ll finish them), but keep in mind those bottles take up valuable real estate. “Do you have three open jars of the same salsa or multiple half-empty bottles of salad dressing?” Robin says. “Consolidate or toss duplicates.”

Make sure that when consolidating bottles or jars of food or condiments, they have similar expiration dates, or make sure you’ll use them up before the earliest one expires to avoid contamination.

That Old Box of Baking Soda

An open box of baking soda is a great way to keep fridge odors at bay. But that box doesn’t last forever. If you’ve noticed some odor issues, it’s probably time to buy a new box. According to Arm & Hammer, once opened, that box of baking soda needs to be replaced in 30 days.