The people at Real Simple did the research and found common items we're putting in the fridge that we don't need to be, and may actually be better when stored at room temperature. Teresa Strasser has the top three things from the list.

3.  Hot Sauce

Apparently, the spicy stuff most of us love can last outside of the refrigerator for about three years. Maybe we're storing it in a cool place thinking it'll cut down on the burn?

2.  Batteries

Many people believe putting their alkaline batteries in the freezer will improve their longevity. Turns out the opposite is true because extreme heat or cold will compromise their performance. Side note, typical rechargeable batteries hold their charge longer when stored in cool temps.

1.  Tomatoes

The plump red fruit should go from the farm to your table. Take them out of that plastic bag and plop them right down on your counter. A helpful tip, apparently storing them in a paper bag speeds up the ripening process, but then you must eat them fast because from that point they'll last about three days.

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Did any of these items surprise you? Join the conversation!