From eye cream to camera film, there are many surprising household items that benefit from being kept in the fridge. The cold temperature preserves their effectiveness and can help ward off bacteria. But the same logic doesn't apply to everything. Over the years, it's become commonplace to store things like batteries in the refrigerator, but this is actually a huge misconception and can do more harm than good. For other everyday items that you should never keep in your fridge, read on.
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1 | Nail Polish
Africa Studio / ShutterstockWith the rise of skincare fridges, it's become common to assume that any beauty product should be kept cold. But this is not true for everything. Though some experts disagree, nail polish is one of these items.
"While many believe that storing nail polish in the fridge helps keep it from losing its color, the cold will cause it to thicken a lot more quickly," explains Raquel Kehler, interior design creator at RoomCrush. "This means that you'll either have to throw it out a lot earlier or use a nail polish thinner so that you can use it again."
2 | Lipstick
iStockLipstick is another beauty product that should not go in the fridge. "Ingredients in products like lipstick will separate if refrigerated and condensation can make them lose moisture," explains STYLECASTER. "Once you refrigerate, you must always keep that product refrigerated or it will go bad."
If you have lipstick that's melted from being in the heat, you can put it in the fridge briefly, but take it out as soon as it's re-hardened.
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3 | Aerosoles
Sheila Fitzgerald / ShutterstockThat bottle of cooking spray should stay in the pantry.
"The cold temperatures can cause the pressure in the can to increase and become volatile, leading to a possible explosion," says Antoni Singger, founder of Breezer Freezer.
4 | Certain Condiments
Mejini Neskah/ShutterstockAccording to Ryan Knoll, founder of home services company Tidy Casa, soy sauce is one of the most common things he sees people keep in the fridge that they shouldn't.
"It says right on the label that it shouldn't be refrigerated," he points out. Food Network notes that most hot sauce is also fine out of the fridge, since its high vinegar content wards off bacteria.
5 | Coffee
iStockKeeping coffee in the fridge will keep it fresher for longer, right? Nope. As coffee company Pact Coffee explains, coffee attracts moisture, which causes it to lose its flavor.
"The problem isn’t that there’s moisture in your fridge (or freezer), it’s the change in temperature the coffee experiences going into and out of the fridge, which results in a build-up [of] condensation," they explain.
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6 | Batteries
iStockAs mentioned, keeping batteries in the fridge so that they'll last longer is a common misconception.
According to battery company Panasonic, "While cold environments help maintain battery life, refrigerators and freezers are not safe to put batteries in. The moist environment will cause condensation on the batteries. This in turn will lead to rust or other damage."
7 | Baking Soda
Tada Images / ShutterstockIn some cases, keeping baking soda in the fridge is a great idea, as it absorbs unwanted odors and prevents them from spreading from food to food. But if you plan on baking with your baking soda, keep it in the cabinet.
"The baking soda will absorb these fridge odors, which will affect the taste of your food," notes Kehler. "Instead, be sure to keep a separate bowl of baking soda for storing in the fridge, and store the one you plan to use for cooking in an airtight container."
