Never store these together in the fridge

Tomatoes and cucumbers are both popular salad ingredients, but they have different storage needs. Tomatoes are best kept at room temperature, as refrigeration can cause them to lose flavor and become mealy. Cucumbers, on the other hand, can become waterlogged and lose their crispness if stored at too cold a temperature.

To preserve their quality, store tomatoes on the counter away from direct sunlight. Cucumbers can be kept in the fridge, but it’s best to place them in the crisper drawer where the temperature is slightly warmer. This way, both vegetables retain their texture and taste.

Dairy products and raw meat should be stored separately to prevent cross-contamination. Raw meat can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can easily spread to dairy products if they come into contact.

To minimize the risk, store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge in a sealed container to catch any drips. Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, should be kept on higher shelves where the temperature is more consistent. This separation helps ensure that your food remains safe to consume.

Storing raw and cooked foods together can lead to cross-contamination, which increases the risk of foodborne illnesses. Raw foods, especially meats, can contain bacteria that can easily transfer to cooked foods if they are stored in close proximity.

To prevent this, always store raw foods in sealed containers on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Cooked foods should be kept on higher shelves, away from raw items. This practice helps maintain food safety and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria.

While it might seem convenient to store fruits and vegetables together, doing so can lead to premature spoilage. Many fruits produce ethylene gas, which can cause vegetables to wilt and spoil faster. Additionally, the moisture from vegetables can accelerate the decay of fruits.

To keep both fruits and vegetables fresh, store them in separate crisper drawers. This separation helps control humidity levels and prevents the effects of ethylene gas. By organizing your fridge this way, you can extend the shelf life of your produce.

Bread is best stored at room temperature, as refrigeration can cause it to stale quickly. The cold environment of the fridge causes the starches in bread to recrystallize, leading to a hard and dry texture.

If you need to store bread for an extended period, consider freezing it instead. When ready to use, thaw the bread at room temperature or toast it for a fresh taste. Keeping bread away from refrigerated items helps maintain its softness and flavor.

Foods with strong odors, such as onions, garlic, and certain cheeses, can easily transfer their flavors to more delicate foods like butter, milk, and eggs. This can result in an unpleasant taste and aroma in foods that are meant to be mild.

To prevent flavor transfer, store strong-smelling foods in airtight containers. Delicate foods should be kept in their original packaging or in sealed containers to protect them from absorbing unwanted odors. This practice ensures that each food retains its intended flavor.

Eggs are porous and can absorb odors from other foods in the fridge, which can affect their taste. Strong-smelling foods like fish, onions, and garlic can impart their flavors to eggs if stored nearby.

To keep eggs fresh and odor-free, store them in their original carton on a shelf rather than the fridge door. This location provides a more stable temperature and protects them from absorbing strong odors. Keeping eggs separate from pungent foods helps maintain their quality.

Fresh herbs are delicate and can wilt quickly when exposed to ethylene gas produced by fruits like apples, bananas, and avocados. This gas accelerates the aging process, causing herbs to lose their vibrant color and flavor.

To preserve herbs, store them in a glass of water covered loosely with a plastic bag in the fridge, away from ethylene-producing fruits. Alternatively, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a sealed container. These methods help keep herbs fresh and flavorful for longer.

Seafood has a strong odor that can easily permeate other foods in the fridge. Additionally, raw seafood can harbor bacteria that pose a contamination risk to other items if not stored properly.

To minimize these risks, store seafood in a sealed container on the bottom shelf of the fridge. This prevents any drips from contaminating other foods and contains the odor. Keeping seafood separate ensures that your fridge remains fresh-smelling and your food safe to eat.

Leftovers and fresh produce should be stored separately to prevent cross-contamination. Leftovers can contain bacteria that may transfer to fresh produce, compromising its safety and freshness.

To avoid this, store leftovers in airtight containers and place them on a designated shelf in the fridge. Fresh produce should be kept in the crisper drawer, away from cooked foods. This separation helps maintain the quality and safety of both leftovers and fresh produce.