There’s nothing like coming home from the store only to realize you barely have space for what you just purchased. If you live in a studio apartment or simply don’t have a lot of storage space, then the top of the fridge seems like a convenient place to put things.
However, this kitchen zone isn’t ideal for a lot of items. Ahead, professional organizers share what you should never store on top of your fridge. And yes, that includes those power towel rolls you can’t figure out where to put.
1. Fruits and vegetables
Never put produce on top of the refrigerator—period, says Wendy Trunz, partner and head organizer at Jane’s Addiction Organization. “The refrigerator gives off heat and needs good ventilation, and that heat above a refrigerator will make fruits and vegetables go bad faster and can produce mold,” says Trunz. “Fruits and vegetables should be on the counter, in baskets, or stored in a pantry where the temperature is right for the various things you are storing.”
2. Glass jars
Glass jars can become a safety risk when stored on top of the fridge, according to Erika Lewis, a certified KonMari consultant and founder of EL Organizing Co. “Each time the fridge door is opened and closed, it creates a little movement, and you run the risk of glass falling down from above your head,” explains Lewis.
3. Bread and pastries
Bread and pastries are often stored on top of the fridge because you can’t stack anything else on top of them, explains Lewis. “However, the top of the fridge can become surprisingly warm and cause them to spoil quicker,” she says.
Instead, you should place bread and pastries in a bread box or other temperature-controlled area to keep them fresh for a longer period of time.
4. Paper products
There’s no doubt that paper products are bulky, especially those large packs of toilet paper and paper towels. “People sometimes put paper products on top of the fridge as backstock storage, but not only does grease and dust tend to accumulate on top of the fridge, but these items become difficult to access when stored up there,” says Lewis.
Instead, place these products either underneath your bathroom and kitchen sinks or in a communal container for easy access.
5. Medications
The heat a fridge gives off makes it an unsafe storage space for most medications and supplements, says Lewis.
Check your medication for storage instructions to make sure you’re leaving it somewhere safe. Many medications are recommended to be placed in a cold, dry, and dark environment, but it’s safest to verify this with your pharmacist.
6. Plants
While plants can add a boost of color to a space, they should not be stored on top of the fridge. “Not only does the heat from the fridge potentially dry out the soil faster, but it is also much more difficult to water something consistently above your head,” says Lewis. “For plants that require consistent sunlight, the top of the fridge is unlikely to provide the lighting needed for a happy plant.”
7. Cookbooks
You may often reach for a cookbook to discover new recipes, but you’ll want to think twice before putting them above your refrigerator.
“Cookbooks can block the ventilation and any loose papers or books can fall behind the refrigerator and are a potential fire hazard,” says Trunz.
Instead, put cookbooks and recipe cards on a bookshelf, on the end of a kitchen counter or even in a cupboard for safe-keeping.
8. Kitchen appliances
You might think that the top of a refrigerator is a convenient spot for your appliances like a blender or stand mixer, but it’s actually not advised. “With the opening and closing of the [fridge] doors, along with blocking the ventilation, it’s another hazard you don’t want to create,” says Trunz. “This is especially true if the appliances have any glass pieces that could fall off and break.”
Depending on the appliance, you can keep them on the kitchen counter or even in a cupboard next to a stove.
9. Liquor
It might sound like a reasonable idea to put bottles of liquor above your refrigerator, especially if you don’t have a wine rack or other place to store them, but that can be quite dangerous. “The heat coming off the refrigerator is not good for the liquor and in case of spillage or sliding/falling off the refrigerator it can turn into a very dangerous situation.”
Keep liquor off the top of the fridge and instead put it in a wine chiller, rack or even in the pantry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you not store on top of the fridge?
Avoid fruits and vegetables, glass jars, bread and pastries, paper products, medications, plants, cookbooks, kitchen appliances and liquor. Heat, poor ventilation, grease and falling objects make this spot unsuitable for these items.
Why is it bad to store things on top of the fridge?
A fridge gives off heat and needs good ventilation. That heat can spoil food, dry out plants and damage medications and liquor, while items stored up there can block airflow or fall.
Is it safe to store medications on top of the fridge?
No, the heat a fridge gives off makes it an unsafe spot for most medications and supplements. Check the storage instructions on the label and confirm with your pharmacist where each medication should be kept.
