Honestly, I’m not the most organized person in existence. With an exhausting work schedule, my home isn’t always spotless and presentable. Most times it’s a disaster, so unfortunately for me, it is a good thing I live on my own. My apartment isn’t huge, which has caused me to rack my brain with creative storage options for the shared space. And let’s just be honest, who doesn’t store things on top of the refrigerator? I mean, such a big space; it feels almost foolish to waste such a great area, right?
Small Space, Big Storage Challenges
But I naturally started to think, amongst my tidy design failures, whether it’s okay to stack things on top of it. Plus, surely I can’t be the only one squeezing a contraption on their apartment refrigerator. Still, it can’t possibly be safe to create topsy-turvy makeshift shelves with random odds and ends.
So, I did a bit of digging around, and turns out, there are actually some things you should never store on top of your fridge.
Is It Really Safe?
Here’s what I found:
Bread and Baked Goods: I was guilty of this one. Turns out, the warmth from the fridge can make bread go stale faster. Who knew?
Wine: This was a surprise! Apparently, the heat and vibration can mess with the wine’s aging process. So much for my makeshift wine rack.
Oils: Olive or vegetable oils seem like they’d be fine up there, but the fluctuating temperatures can spoil them quicker. Back to the pantry they go.
Medications: This one makes sense. The heat can affect their effectiveness. Definitely not worth the risk.
Fresh Produce: I’ve tossed a fruit bowl up there thinking I was being clever. Nope, the heat can cause faster spoilage. Lesson learned.
Coffee: As a coffee lover, this hurt. Heat and moisture from the fridge can ruin the flavor. Goodbye, coffee canister on the fridge.
Herbs and Spices: The same goes for these flavor enhancers. The top of the fridge is just too warm for their own good.
Pet Food: I thought I was being smart keeping it out of reach, but the heat can cause fats in the food to go rancid. Sorry, Fluffy.
Candles: I never did this, but apparently, the heat can cause them to warp or melt. Makes sense.
Electronics: This includes batteries, which can leak or corrode in the heat. Definitely not something you want near food.
Plastic Containers: Some plastics can release harmful chemicals if they’re heated up; therefore, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Anything Heavy: Last but not least, overloading the top can strain the fridge’s compressor, potentially shortening its lifespan. No more heavy pots or appliances up there. No books and plants too!
A Fresh Start in Organization
My quest for extra storage space taught me a valuable lesson about what not to stash on top of my fridge. It’s a bit of a bummer; however, hey, at least now I know how to avoid potential food spoilage, safety hazards, or damaging my fridge. Therefore, it looks like I’ll be finding new homes for a few items and maybe, just maybe, working on that organization thing after all.
