I absolutely adore cooking, but I detest cleaning. That’s why I’m always on the hunt for easy hacks to minimize tidying up — particularly for my fridge, which is perpetually messy. That’s when I came across this ingenious trick for lining your fridge drawers with paper towels that eliminates the need to wipe them down as often, and also keeps fruits and vegetables fresher for longer.
Immediately, I tried the hack out and noticed that my produce stayed fresh longer because the paper towels soaked up the inevitable moisture that came out of its packaging. And instead of having to wipe down my produce drawers, all I had to do was replace the paper towels after a few weeks! I then realized that I could use the same hack for all the shelves of my fridge, so I won’t have to wipe those down, either. Work smarter, not harder!
How to Use Paper Towels to Keep Your Fridge Clean
This trick really is as simple as it sounds. All you have to do is wipe down your fridge’s shelves and drawers and line them with paper towels before placing items on them. It’s an additional step at the beginning, but it goes a long way in minimizing the need to regularly clean your fridge.
If you’re anti-paper towel (I don’t blame you!), you can do the same with Swedish dishcloths or even kitchen rags that you then just toss in the washing machine every week or so. You can also do this trick with a paper towel when it has a little more life (and absorbency) left, but you’re not quite ready to compost it.
What Happened When I Began Lining My Fridge Shelves with Paper Towels
When I first started doing it, it seemed like a hassle initially. However, once the paper towels were laid down, it was like instant peace of mind. Previously, whenever I’d spot a stain on a refrigerator shelf or drawer, I’d panic — it meant I’d either have to immediately remove everything, maneuver around each item, or take the entire shelf or drawer out to clean it. Once the paper towels were in, even when I saw a stain or a spill, I’d leave it, knowing that all I had to do was let the paper towels do the hard work, then replace them.
When it comes to changing the paper towels, I do it every 3 to 4 weeks, as that’s when they typically become damp or sticky in my fridge. If you decide to line your fridge shelves and drawers with paper towels, observe how long it takes for them to become wet and dirty for yourself, dependent on your spillage or humidity. Once they’re ready to be replaced, do the same thing over again, and voilà, you have a clean fridge!
I love this hack because it prevents me from having to regularly wipe down my fridge’s shelves and drawers (aside from a deep-clean every few months) and, as a bonus, my fruits and vegetables last so much longer. Who knew a simple kitchen staple would save me so much time and stress?
What’s your favorite paper towel kitchen hack? Let us know in the comments below!
