Don't Toss That Cardboard Drink Holder: Reuse It To Organize Your Cluttered Fridge

Trying to keep your refrigerator clutter-free can be a constant battle, even for the tidiest person. Things like oddly shaped storage containers and packages, random condiments, and multiple household members can make organizing a fridge, let's just say, challenging. A cluttered fridge often leads to spoiled foods and extra time spent hunting for the stuff you want to eat. Just a small amount of order can make your refrigerator look less like a disaster zone and may even improve your grocery shopping by making it easier to know exactly what you need to replenish. 

For example, the cardboard drink holders that you get from your favorite fast food restaurant can be used to house things like bottled water and sports drinks. You can also use it to store those small items such as condiment packets and water enhancers — things that can easily become lost in the refrigerator among larger items. An organized refrigerator preserves food better by ensuring none of the air vents are blocked, which in turn, keeps the refrigerator more efficient by reducing the energy spent to cool it — and it may result in a lower electricity bill. All that's required for this easy refrigerator organization hack is saving up your cardboard drink holders every time you purchase food to go. You'll be surprised at how quickly they can accumulate, especially if you have roommates or a large family.

You can take back control of your kitchen appliance by first doing a deep cleaning of your fridge. This involves pulling every single item out of the refrigerator and cleaning the unit thoroughly. It can help you uncover areas of your refrigerator that may have missed a cleaning session, such as liquid spills or food particles hidden in corners. Deep cleaning can also help you discover food that's been forgotten for weeks or months. Once everything is out, pitch any spoiled foods, and plan your layout. Think about the food items that are used daily and items better suited for larger spaces, such as the bottom counter or lower drawers. 

The trick is to place the daily go-to items in the front to minimize the amount of shuffling around needed to find them. Next, decide which items will be placed in the drink holders based on the quantity you have. For example, if you have several holders, try using one drink holder for all of the condiments, separating them by type, like seasoning packets, dips, and salad dressing. 

Use another drink holder for storing small stackable items such as baby food and yogurt cups. If you have any items that are constantly tipping over in your refrigerator, such as plastic ketchup bottles or squeezable sour cream, placing them in the holders can be a great way to contain them as they get used and lose their balance. If you're already spring cleaning your home, use this as an excuse to finally organize that chaotic fridge with a drink holder and give every bottle and jar a proper spot.