It’s time to turn to the back of the fridge.
How often do you buy a jar of Dijon mustard, only to find two more hiding in the back of the fridge? Have you ever opened a jar of jelly and then promptly thrown it in the bin when you found a green and white mass lying on top of a strawberry red tin? Is there a smell that you just can’t find?
There are signs that it’s time to clean out the fridge and deal with long-expired spices and slimy vegetables. Here’s what you need to know about the products that absolutely must be thrown out of the fridge before the next garbage day – from spoiled meat to yoghurt that’s no longer the best quality.
- Carol Appelbaum is the founder of Luxury Pro Organiser, based in Sugar Land, Texas.
Things to throw out of the fridge
When you organise your fridge, you need to keep an eye on expiry dates, but you also need to use your gut. Appelbaum explains, “Expiry dates are very important, but it’s just as important to trust your gut feeling. If something looks, smells or tastes strange, such as mould, odour or altered texture, throw it out.”
Here are nine things you should throw away as soon as possible.
Spices after six months
It’s not uncommon to find hot sauce in the fridge that has been stored for a year or more – but should you eat it? Appelbaum says no.
She explains, “Ketchup, mustard and hot sauce can sit on the shelves unopened for months after their expiration date. But did you know that once they’re opened, the clock starts ticking and you may only have six months before you throw them away?”
Pickles after six months
Similar to spices, Appelbaum explains that, despite their reputation as a preserved product, pickles are not suitable for use forever. An opened jar of pickles lasts about six months.
Old salad dressing
A large collection of salad dressings gives you options, but you shouldn’t expect them to stay good forever (maybe that means it’s time to increase the quantity of salad!). “Cream-based salad dressings last about three to four months after opening, while vinaigrettes last six to nine months,” says Appelbaum.
Crystallized honey or syrup
In theory, you can still use crystallised honey or syrup. You just need to microwave it for twenty seconds, but will you do it? It might be better to throw it away, as there is a good chance that if you have a choice you will choose a newer jar.
Soft lunch meat
Lunch meat is one of those things that often escapes clean-up. Salami should be good for another week, right? But wait, how did the turkey go bad so quickly? That’s why Appelbaum suggests using your senses here. She says: “Lunch meat should be discarded after 3-5 days, especially if it is slimy or smells bad.”
After a week, cooked meat
Most of us probably have strict deadlines when it comes to raw meat. You know that meat, seafood and poultry need to be cooked quickly or put in the freezer. But what to do with last week’s steak dinner or leftovers from the famous meat lasagne? Appelbaum says: “Cooked meat and fish is safe for three to four days.”
Hummus after a week
It may come as a surprise, but hummus goes bad faster than you think. Appelbaum points out that if your jar of hummus has been in the fridge for a week or more, it’s time to let it go.
Dairy products after a week
As you probably know, dairy products such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are highly perishable. “It’s important to use up milk, soft cheeses and yoghurt within a week,” says Appelbaum. However, she notes that hard cheeses will have a longer shelf life in the fridge – they last longer and you can simply cut off the mouldy parts.
Juice after a week
This may be another shocker, but that orange juice you opened last Saturday for brunch? If it’s been open for more than a week, it’s time to throw it away. Juice only stays good for about a week.
How to keep track of what’s in your fridge
Once you’ve gone through your fridge and cleaned out all the spoiled products, set up a system to prevent your fridge from getting out of control again. It’s always easier to do gradual cleanses rather than letting things spiral, so Appelbaum has some tips to help you keep your fridge tidy.
- Write down the date you opened the item. Some products have an expiration date based on how long they’ve been open rather than a specific date, so it’s easy to forget whether you opened the maple syrup two or six months ago.
- Group similar products together in the fridge. This will help you when cooking and may also inspire you to use a substitute ingredient you may have forgotten you had.
- Put products that are about to expire at the front. “All you need to do is quickly scan the fridge for products that are nearing their expiry date and put them in the front to use first. Plan your meals based on these ingredients,” recommends Appelbaum.
- Deep clean every three to six months. Appelbaum notes, “It’s best to clean the fridge on garbage day to avoid lingering odors.”
