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attention to detail. With glowing 5-star reviews and a reputation for excellence, we’re trusted by clients and media alike to deliver outstanding transformations. Luxury Pro Organizer was recently "the featured expert" in Southern Living article, "9 Things to Toss From Your Fridge". See below for my advice to their readers:
Everyone has a system for deciding what stays in the refrigerator and what gets tossed. Let's face it: keeping track of expiration dates can be overwhelming. With the following information, you can manage your fridge successfully. Expiration dates are essential, but trusting your senses is equally important. If something looks, smells, or tastes unusual, such as mold, unpleasant odors, or changes in texture, discard it.
We all know items like ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and pickles can sit on shelves unopened for months past their best-by dates. However, did you know that once opened, the clock begins, and you may only have six months before you discard them? The same is true for most items in the refrigerator. There are always exceptions and these are just guidelines, so it's important to use expiration dates and good judgment. However, I recommend opting for the earlier expiration, best-by, and sell-by dates to be on the safe side. Just know the clock begins once the item's opened.
Here, I’m sharing the guidelines I use when organizing refrigerators. Cream-based salad dressings last about three to four months after opening, while vinaigrettes can go up to six to nine months. Surprisingly, you should use Pesto within a week of opening it.
Dairy items like milk, yogurt, and cheese spoil quickly. It's important to use milk within a week, yogurt within five to seven days of opening, and toss soft cheeses after a week. Hard cheeses last longer as long as you cut off the moldy parts.
For meat and seafood, please follow strict timelines. If you place meat or seafood in the fridge to thaw, they should be cooked quickly. Raw pork needs to be cooked within one to two days, raw beef within three to five days, ground beef within one to two days, and raw fish within one to two days. Once cooked, meat and fish are safe for three to four days. Lunch meats should be tossed after three to five days, especially if they feel slimy or smell bad.
When fresh produce turns moldy, slimy, or smelly, it's time to say goodbye. Leftovers and cooked vegetables last three to four days in the fridge. If you can't finish them quickly, freeze them to avoid waste. Items like hummus and juice last about seven to ten days after opening. On the other hand, honey, maple syrup, and some hot sauces don't need refrigeration. Please check the labels to be sure.
When going through this list, you are most likely feeling overwhelmed. Here's an easy solution: use a marker to write the date you opened the item and place it on the container. To be efficient, group similar items, which will be helpful when it's time to go grocery shopping. All you need to do is quickly scan your fridge for items nearing expiration dates and place them at the front so you can use them first. Then, plan meals based on the ingredients that need to be used before expiring. Doing this helps to avoid buying duplicates.
My final tip is to clean out your fridge every three to six months, ideally on trash day, to avoid lingering smells.
Carol Appelbaum, founder of Luxury Pro Organizer in Houston, TX
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