The holiday season means one thing: leftovers. While everyone loves a post-holiday sandwich, leftovers can also put a lot of strain on your refrigerator. Here’s how to keep it organized!

Utilize small containers

It may seem like the bigger the container, the more organized your refrigerator will be, but utilizing smaller containers is actually the better way to go. Why? They can be stored more easily in the nooks and crannies of your fridge, ultimately leaving the bulk of space for essential items that have nowhere else to go.

Label items

Instead of spending too long in front of an open fridge—which in turn, wastes energy—label any containers containing leftover food. Go the extra mile by including the date it was made on the label so you can gauge when it’s no longer good.

Check on your food regularly

One of the biggest culprits of a cluttered fridge is the amount of expired items it holds. This is especially true of leftovers, so make sure you’re taking stock of food that’s past the point of no return. Better yet, clear out these items before a holiday meal so you free up valuable space.

Stack when possible

Nowadays, there are storage options for virtually anything—including wine and other drinks. Since bottles and jugs tend to take up a lot of valuable space, stackable storage can help consolidate these items.

Organize the door properly  

The door of your fridge has more space than you think, but it may require some shuffling and reorganizing to get the most out of it. Again, check for any expired condiments, and toss accordingly. Then, establish an order that works for you by thinking about what you use most often and putting those items in the front. You could also group like items together so you can find them a little easier.