What Is the FIFO Organizing Method? Here’s How to Use It

This no-brainer technique will help you stay organized and save money. Learn how to use it in your everyday life with these tips.

If your household could benefit from a little more structure, the FIFO method of organizing just might be the answer. The strategy has long been used in the corporate world—particularly in inventory management and food service—but as a professional organizer, I recommend this method for at-home use as well. While it sounds elaborate on the surface, the concept is amazingly simple. (In fact, you may already be practicing it to some extent without even realizing it!)

We’ll explain exactly what the FIFO organizing method is, what you and your household can gain from implementing it effectively, and how to do so easily in your home.

Related: The 1-3-5 Rule Will Help You Organize Your Home for Good

What Is the FIFO Organizing Method?

FIFO stands for ‘first in, first out’ and is most often used to refer to non-perishable items, such as food and pantry staples. Both restaurants and homes can (and should!) apply the method to keep kitchens neat and prevent food from unnecessarily going to waste. When used correctly, FIFO ensures that items closer to their expiration date are prioritized over the new stuff that has a longer shelf life.

Of course, this can also relate to other household items with a shelf life. Some examples include medication, beauty supplies or skincare, and cleaning products. It’s particularly important to put FIFO into play if you tend to buy in bulk or stock up during a sale. As you’ll find out in a moment, though, using up what you have before it spoils isn’t the only reason to work the method into your daily routine.

Related: Can I Eat Food Past Its Expiration Date? Here’s What Experts Say

Benefits of Using the FIFO Organizing Method

The FIFO method has several advantages, affecting both the aesthetics and functionality of your home. Here are some benefits you’ll notice practically immediately after implementing it.

It saves money: This is the most widespread reason many start practicing the FIFO technique. By focusing on eating or using up the oldest products, you’re not squandering the things you’ve already purchased. It also helps you easily see what you have, so you’re less likely to buy more than you need.

It saves space: Not overbuying or impulse shopping as often not only keeps more money in your pocket but also creates more room in your home. Once you get in the habit of using the FIFO strategy, your fridge, freezer, pantry, and linen, bathroom, or cleaning closets will instantly feel less cluttered.

It saves time: Say goodbye to pulling everything out of a cabinet to find what you need. This method is designed to keep the items you need at the moment front and center. It also makes planning meals or putting together grocery lists a more straightforward task.

It reduces waste: By default, the FIFO technique drastically reduces reckless food or product waste. Items that haven’t expired yet but you know you won’t use can be caught quickly and donated to a local food pantry or shelter rather than tossed in the trash.

It helps you understand your household better: The FIFO method lets you keep a finger on the pulse of what you use and how often. This can help you adjust your buying habits for the better going forward.

Related: 12 Creative Ways to Repurpose Food Scraps into Something Delicious

How to Use the FIFO Organizing Method in Your Home

If you’re unsure where to start, there’s no need to stress—the FIFO method is one of the easiest ways to get organized. Follow this guide to get the most out of the organizing strategy in every area of your home.

Step 1: Declutter

Go through what you currently have, carefully check dates, and put aside the items that have already expired. Use your judgment if something doesn’t have an expiration date on it (or it’s no longer readable), such as a bottle of sunscreen or olive oil. If the product looks or smells off, it’s best to let it go. If you’re unsure, always err on the side of caution.

Related: How to Declutter Your Home So You’ll Love Your Space Again

Step 2: Sort by Date

Now that your remaining items are still within the use-by date, arrange them in backward chronological order. For example, if you have canned goods organized on a pantry shelf, keep the same system but put the newest cans in the back and the oldest ones up front. So, next time you go to make a pot of sauce, you’ll know to grab the first can of tomatoes.

Related: How to Organize a Pantry into 7 Easy-to-Use and Efficient Zones

Step 3: Maintain the System

This process is just as important as setting up the original organization system. Because, without it, your things will get disheveled and you’ll have to start again from scratch. This, for the record, happens especially when life gets hectic, so don’t beat yourself up and reorganize spaces when you can. But, so long as you can help it, always shift items forward as you use things to make room to place the newest additions in the back.

A few more helpful tips to follow when trying out the FIFO organizing method include:

• Labeling zones or categories can help maintain order, especially if multiple household members are working together to keep the system running. 
• When decanting products, add a label directly to the container to retain their expiration dates.
• Regularly check items to make sure they haven’t expired (because, hey, it happens!) and use that time to plan shopping lists.

Related: 19 Household Items You Should Probably Throw Out Now

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