The top of the refrigerator can seem like a handy place to store things, especially if your kitchen lacks cabinet space. It’s flat, easy to reach, and often ends up holding anything that doesn’t have a proper spot elsewhere.
But that space isn’t ideal for everything. Refrigerators release heat as they run, and the area above them can collect dust and cooking grease. Depending on your appliance, placing too many items there may also block the airflow needed for proper ventilation.
You don’t have to leave the space completely bare, but it’s worth being careful about what you keep there. These 12 everyday items are better off somewhere else.
Pantry Items
Cereal, canned goods, flour, pasta, and other pantry staples should stay in a cabinet or pantry, not on top of the refrigerator. The area can get warm, which may affect food quality over time, and the dust that gathers there can dirty packaging.
A cool, dry storage spot gives pantry foods a better place to sit until you’re ready to use them. An organized cabinet also makes it easier to see what you have on hand.
Dried Herbs
Oregano, basil, parsley, and other dried herbs need a cool, dry place away from direct light and heat. Storing them above the refrigerator can cause their flavor and aroma to fade sooner than expected.
Keep your spices and dried herbs in closed containers inside a cabinet, preferably away from the stove. They’ll stay fresher, and you won’t have to deal with dusty jars every time you cook.
Perishable Food
Leaving bread, fruit, or other fresh foods on top of the fridge may seem convenient, but the appliance’s warmth can shorten their shelf life. Bread may go stale sooner, while some fruits and other foods can spoil faster in a warm spot.
Find a storage location that suits each food, whether that’s a bread box, fruit bowl, pantry, or refrigerator shelf. The right spot depends on the food type and how it should be stored.
Related: 10 Canned Beans Every Emergency Pantry Should Have
Batteries
Don’t store spare batteries above the refrigerator because heat and temperature changes can affect how long they last. Poor storage can also increase the risk of leakage.
A cool, dry drawer or cabinet away from heat sources is a better place. Leave batteries in their original packaging or use a storage case that keeps their terminals away from metal objects.
Heavy Cookware
Large pots, cast-iron pans, and other heavy cookware might free up valuable cabinet space, but putting them above the fridge creates a safety risk. Reaching over your head to lift a heavy pan can be awkward, and one slip could send it crashing down.
The refrigerator may also vibrate while its compressor runs, which is another reason to avoid keeping heavy objects there. Store bulky cookware on a sturdy, lower shelf where you can pick it up without stretching or lifting it overhead.
Books
Cookbooks are handy to have in the kitchen, but the top of the refrigerator isn’t a great place for them. Heat, humidity, cooking grease, and dust can damage their pages, covers, and bindings over time.
Give your cookbooks a spot on a shelf or inside a cabinet away from heat-producing appliances. They’ll be easier to reach and less likely to get dirty while you’re cooking.
Small Appliances
A microwave, toaster oven, air fryer, or other small appliance might seem like a good use of the empty space above the fridge. But these appliances can be heavy, difficult to reach, and may need more clearance than that area provides.
Check the refrigerator and appliance manuals before placing anything there, since both may have clearance and ventilation requirements. A sturdy countertop or shelf is usually a safer place to keep appliances you use regularly.
Liquids
Bottles of cooking oil, wine, vinegar, and other liquids are better kept somewhere with a steady temperature. Heat can affect the quality of certain oils, and wine needs storage conditions that the top of a refrigerator may not provide.
Leaks and spills can also leave a sticky mess that’s hard to clean. Instead, keep bottles in a pantry, cabinet, or suitable storage rack.
Open Food Containers
Open snack bags, uncovered bowls, and other exposed foods can attract insects and pests. The warm, dusty area above the fridge is an especially poor place to leave food out.
If food needs to stay out for a short time, cover it to keep dust and pests away. For longer storage, transfer it to a sealed container and put it in the pantry or refrigerator, depending on the food.
Fragile Items
Glass jars, vases, picture frames, ceramics, and other breakable decorations are risky to keep above the refrigerator. Appliance vibrations or an accidental bump while reaching for something nearby could send them falling to the floor.
Broken glass and ceramic pieces can scatter across the kitchen and cause injuries. Store these items on a stable shelf or elsewhere where they won’t be disturbed.
Cleaning Supplies
Storing cleaning products above the refrigerator might seem like a way to keep them out of children’s reach, but it’s not a good long-term storage spot. A leaking bottle can damage the appliance’s surface or spill near food-prep areas.
Keep cleaning products in a secure cabinet, away from food and cooking supplies. Follow the storage directions on each product’s label, especially if it needs to be kept away from heat.
Medication
Store medicine according to the label instructions, and keep most types in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture. The top of the refrigerator can get warm, which may affect certain medications over time.
A bedroom or kitchen cabinet may be a better spot for medicines that don’t need refrigeration, while a humid bathroom cabinet is often best avoided. If the label says a medication must be refrigerated, store it inside the refrigerator at the recommended temperature rather than above it.
