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7 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Fridge, According to Experts

There are a lot of misconceptions about household items that last longer in the fridge.

Hand opening a refrigerator door.
Siewwy84/iStock

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

Various Bottles of Nail PolishAfrica Studio / Shutterstock

With 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

Lipstick on pink backgroundiStock

Lipstick 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.

READ THIS NEXT: 10 Mistakes You're Making That Keep Your House Cold, Experts Say.

3 | Aerosoles

A display of Pam cooking spray on a store shelf.Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock

That 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

Bottle of Kikkoman Soy SauceMejini Neskah/Shutterstock

According 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

Fresh coffee grounds ready to be brewed for morning jolt of caffeineiStock

Keeping 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

Batteries (very shallow DOF. focus is on the edge of the finger )iStock

As 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

A box of Arm & Hammer baking soda.Tada Images / Shutterstock

In 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."