The FIFO Method: Your Key to a More Organized Home—Here’s How to Use It

It seems like there’s always a new organizing trend popping up—one week, it’s about transferring your kitchen and bathroom items into clear containers, and the next, it’s folding your clothes in a specific way. But one of the latest organizing techniques gaining popularity is the FIFO method, short for “First In, First Out.” Although it might appear to be just another trend on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, it’s actually an efficient and effective strategy to stay organized, reduce clutter, and even save money. Here’s everything you need to know about it and how to start applying FIFO in your daily life.

What Is the FIFO Organizational Strategy?

Shantae Duckworth, a professional organizer and the founder of Shantaeize Your Space, shares that she personally follows the FIFO method, which she first encountered while working in the service industry before transitioning to organizing professionally. She explains, “When you purchase new items, especially food or cleaning products, it’s important to place the ones with the earliest expiration dates in front so they get used first, rather than letting the newer items take precedence.”

How FIFO Helps You Save Money

Few things are as frustrating—especially in today’s economy—than wasting money on items you could have used but didn’t, whether it’s food, cosmetics, or personal care products. By prioritizing items that expire soon, you’re less likely to let things go to waste before they’re used up. FIFO also helps you keep track of what you already have, so you can determine whether you truly need to buy more or if your current stock will last longer.

Want to Reduce Clutter? Just FIFO It.

Kris Hargrove, a professional organizer and the founder of Organized by Kris, advises that adopting FIFO can significantly reduce clutter. She notes, “The primary benefit of this approach is less clutter, as it prevents you from accumulating items that end up forgotten and unused. Plus, you won’t need additional space for excess inventory.”

If you live in a compact home or simply don’t have a lot of storage space, incorporating the FIFO method into various parts of your life is definitely worth considering.

How to Apply the FIFO Method in Your Kitchen

A common challenge in many kitchens is the unintentional expiration and waste of perfectly good food. It’s not deliberate, but even the most organized people sometimes fall victim to it.

This is where FIFO proves helpful. For instance, when unpacking your latest grocery haul, be mindful and place the newly purchased items like crackers or pasta behind the ones from your last shopping trip. This way, the older boxes will be used first, preventing waste.

“This is also a great method for tracking how often you’re using certain items before they expire,” Duckworth explains. “It helps you decide whether it’s an item you need to buy in bulk because it’s frequently used, or if it’s something you only need occasionally and can purchase less often.”

FIFO can spark more creativity in the kitchen. “When you have items nearing their expiration date, you can search for recipes that incorporate all of those ingredients together,” Duckworth suggests. “It also helps with meal planning, especially for families, as it ensures you use up what you already have in stock before heading out to buy more.”

How to Implement the FIFO Method in Your Bathroom

We all have those products we repeatedly buy—whether it’s face moisturizer, body lotion, or even something as basic as a bar of soap. It’s disappointing to realize your stock has expired before you’ve used it, or to find that you’ve purchased something you already have stashed at the back of your cabinet.

So, when organizing your vanity drawers or the space under your sink, make sure to bring your older products to the front to ensure they get used first, while pushing newer items to the back. FIFO is really that simple and effective.