New survey data from AO.com has revealed Brits’ biggest turn offs when it comes to fridge maintenance and hygiene
Meat juice, mouldy food and open containers of food came out on top in a list Britain’s worst fridge-related habits
From meat juice on the shelves to not properly cling-filming open containers, Brits have ranked their biggest food storage icks – with one in two admitting they’d be put off by a partner’s or potential love interest’s poor fridge upkeep.
The study, conducted by fridge and freezer retailer AO.com, revealed the worst offending habits that would make Brits give loved ones the cold shoulder – with mouldy food in the fridge ranking as the country’s biggest ick.
Fridge-related friction appears to plague households across the UK, as HALF of Brits admitted that poor fridge food storage habits would put them off a partner, friend or loved one.
RANKED: Brits reveal their biggest fridge food ‘icks’:
- Mouldy food in the fridge – 68.15%
- Meat juice on the shelves – 59.13%
- Not cling-filming open containers (like meats etc.) – 41.59%
- Veg juice in the bottom of the veg drawer – 41.59%
- Leaving fridge door open in a heatwave – 40.75%
- Breadcrumbs in the butter – 40.63%
- Pet food being stored next to human food – 38.22%
- Not clearing out a fridge/rotating before adding in new food – 37.26%
- Half tins of sweetcorn – 23.02%
- Not putting things in the right fridge container – 19.11%
Whilst Brits are unanimous that meat juice and mouldy food in the fridge are the most icky behaviours, it turns out that fridge etiquette is a divisive topic in many UK households.
Men ranked leaving the fridge door open during hot weather as a top three pet peeve (40.84%), whilst for women, finding rotten vegetable juice at the bottom of the fridge drawers was a top three ick. Women are also more likely to be turned off by poor fridge habits than men.
Age and location also seem to divide the polls. One in three millennials will also get cheesed off at people who leave breadcrumbs in the butter (36.97%) as well as those who don’t clear out a fridge/rotate before adding in new food (37.15%).
In Belfast, storing pet food next to human food in the fridge is a big no-no, as storing pet food in the fridge was ranked the third biggest ick in this city. Meanwhile, one in two Bristolians said they couldn’t bear rotten vegetable juice in the vegetable drawer. Londoners said that not cling-filming open containers is a sackable offence when it comes to fridge maintenance.
Commenting on the findings, Sarah Heaps, food storage expert at AO.com said:
“These results highlight how cleanliness and organisation in shared spaces like the fridge can significantly impact relationships. Simple practices like cling-filming open containers and regularly checking for mould can prevent these common ‘icks’ and maintain harmony at home.”
In light of the findings, AO.com have launched a new refrigeration hub, jam-packed with tips and tricks on how Brits can make the most of foods stored in the fridge – as well as keep the peace at home.
Access the free advice and guides here:https://ao.com/cooling/get-to-know.
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