7 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Fridge – do you have any of these?
When it comes to your fridge, it’s easy to get caught up in storing everything in sight. However, not all foods and items belong in the fridge. Some can spoil faster, affect the flavor of other foods, or even create health risks. Let’s dive into the seven things you should absolutely never keep in your fridge. Your food (and your fridge) will thank you!
1. Needles or Sharp Objects
This One’s a No-Go for Safety Reasons
It might sound odd, but some people might store things like needles or even small sharp objects in their fridge—especially if they’re not familiar with proper storage. The fridge is not the place for these items! If you’re a diabetic and need to store needles for insulin shots, make sure they’re in a safe, designated storage container, but definitely not in the fridge. The fridge environment could lead to rusting or degradation of the needles.
Plus, refrigerators are full of moisture, which isn’t ideal for any sharp object. For the sake of safety, it’s best to store any needles in a proper container, away from the food storage area. If you have any doubts, consult a healthcare professional or an expert on medical supplies. Here’s a guide from the CDC on the proper disposal of needles and sharps.
2. Expired Food
Expired Food Isn’t Just Gross, It’s Dangerous
We’ve all been guilty of holding onto expired food in the fridge because “I might still eat that!” But keeping food past its expiration date is risky. Over time, expired food loses its taste, texture, and nutritional value. Even worse, it can pose health risks by growing harmful bacteria or mold.
Check your fridge regularly, and get rid of anything that’s expired. Don’t rely on your sense of smell or taste either—some harmful bacteria can be odorless. If it’s past the expiration date, toss it out. Pro tip: A fridge clean-out once a month can keep things under control!
3. Tomatoes
Tomatoes Love the Counter, Not the Chill
Tomatoes might seem like a fridge staple, but storing them in the cold can actually mess with their texture and flavor. Refrigeration disrupts their natural ripening process and causes them to become mealy and bland.
If you’ve ever noticed that refrigerated tomatoes taste a bit… off, now you know why! Instead, keep them at room temperature on the counter, away from direct sunlight. If they’re overly ripe, you can refrigerate them, but only after they’ve reached their peak ripeness.
4. Potatoes
Keep Potatoes in a Cool, Dark Place—But Not the Fridge
Potatoes are another common fridge culprit. Storing them in cold temperatures can turn the starch in potatoes into sugar, making them taste sweet and change their texture. Also, storing them with onions can increase the likelihood of sprouting or rotting due to the gases the two produce.
The best place to store potatoes is in a cool, dark, dry place like a pantry. A paper bag or a breathable container is a great option to avoid moisture buildup, which can lead to mold.
5. Honey in the refrigerator?
Honey Should Be Kept in a Dry Spot, Not the Cold
You may think storing honey in the fridge would keep it from going bad, but the truth is that honey has natural preservatives and doesn’t need refrigeration. In fact, storing honey in the fridge can make it crystalize faster, turning it into a grainy mess.
Honey should be stored at room temperature in a dry place, like a cupboard. This will preserve its smooth texture and delicious flavour for longer.
6. Bread
Bread Gets Stale Fast in Fridges
You might think putting bread in the fridge will keep it fresh longer, but actually, it’ll do the opposite. Refrigeration can cause bread to dry out and go stale quicker than if it were left at room temperature.
If you’re not going to eat it in a few days, store bread in the freezer instead. That way, you can keep it fresh for longer and simply toast slices when you’re ready to eat them.
7. Avocados
Cold Fridges Don’t Help Avocados Ripen
Avocados are best stored at room temperature until they’re ripe. Once they’re ripe, you can store them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process, but putting an unripe avocado in the fridge can prevent it from ever reaching that creamy, delicious state.
If you’ve bought a bunch of avocados that are not quite ripe, leave them on the counter. Once they’re soft to the touch, you can move them to the fridge to extend their shelf life for a few more days.
Conclusion on 7 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Fridge
Storing food properly can make a huge difference in both the safety and flavor of your meals. By keeping these seven items out of your fridge, you’ll not only ensure better-tasting food, but you’ll also keep your fridge running more efficiently. Regular cleaning and a little thought about where things belong will go a long way in making sure your kitchen stays organized and safe!
Further reading
7 Things You Should Never Have in Your Lounge and Why
7 things you should never have in your bedroom
7 things you should never have in your kitchen
7 things you should never have in your study
7 things you should never have in your hallway