7 Items You Should Throw Out of Your Fridge Immediately

The fridge often gets overlooked when it comes to decluttering, but regularly cleaning it out is essential to prevent it from becoming a mess of forgotten food, spills, and unpleasant smells. A well-maintained fridge isn’t just more pleasant to look at—it can also help reduce food waste, save money, and keep your food fresh for longer. “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 are seven items you should toss right now.

1. Expired Foods
   Expired foods have no place in your fridge. Start by checking dairy items like milk, yogurt, and cheese, then move on to any leftovers from last week. Don’t forget to check your fruit and vegetable bins for wilted, slimy, or overripe produce. Robin recommends dedicating just five minutes each week to check for expired items. “Your future self will thank you,” she says.
2. Condiments You Never Use
   That fancy mustard you bought on a whim months ago but never used? It’s time to let it go. “We all have that one bottle of obscure sauce we thought we’d use but never did,” Robin says. Ask yourself if you’ve used the condiment in the last six months or if you even like it. If not, toss it. For condiments you use regularly, like ketchup or mayo, store them in clear, easily accessible bins to keep them organized.
3. Foods You Didn’t Like
   Sometimes we buy trendy snacks or health foods only to realize they’re not to our taste. Instead of letting them sit in your fridge forever, get rid of them. “If you’re not going to eat it, it’s time to toss it,” says Robin. It’s okay to make mistakes—just move on and don’t repeat them.
4. Mystery Containers
   Mystery containers are a common fridge dilemma—those leftover items you can’t remember putting in the fridge or that have become unrecognizable. Robin suggests tossing anything that’s too hard to identify. To prevent this issue, use clear, labeled containers for leftovers to keep track of what’s inside.
5. Broken or Awkward Organizational Containers
   Old or broken containers, like those with missing lids or those that don’t fit properly, can make your fridge harder to organize and keep 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,” says Robin. Invest in modular fridge storage containers to maximize space and keep things neat.
6. Multiples of the Same Item
   Having multiples of the same item—like three open bottles of ranch or multiple half-empty jars of salsa—takes up valuable fridge space. “Do you have three open jars of the same salsa or multiple half-empty bottles of salad dressing?” Robin asks. Consolidate or toss duplicates, and make sure to use them before the earliest expiration date to avoid food contamination.
7. That Old Box of Baking Soda
   Baking soda is great for absorbing odors in the fridge, but it doesn’t last forever. If you’ve noticed unpleasant smells, it’s time to replace that old box. According to Arm & Hammer, once opened, a box of baking soda should be replaced every 30 days.

By removing these seven items from your fridge, you can create a cleaner, more organized space that will not only look better but also help your food stay fresher and reduce waste.