Did you know that they have actually set aside a day in November called “National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day?” Have they heard of botulism? :) Oh, for goodness sakes, if you’re like me you like to clean out your refrigerator once every couple of weeks and especially before a trip to the grocery store. There are two good reasons for cleaning out your fridge weekly or biweekly. You will not only save money by taking inventory of what you already have, but you will also avoid the growth of bacteria which can ultimately contaminate your food…yuck!

Here are some helpful tips:

To begin, I always place a large, empty garbage bag next to my refrigerator. It’s also a good idea to have some smaller bags on hand for recyclables and leftovers.

Working shelf by shelf, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top (this is a great excuse to ask your honey for a back rub later on that evening…”Honey, I worked so hard today”…smile…) remove all food items and throw away wilted, moldy, or old vegetables… Oh come on now…you know you have some in there; we all do and why is it that cucumbers can become highly unrecognizable in a just a few of days? Unfortunately, I humbly admit, that I have used many a moldy strawberry in our homeschool science lessons! :) Nothing looks worse in your refrigerator than a growth of ugly black, yellow or green mildew…what WAS that!!? You know we all have it from time to time!

As you move your way up your fridge, empty plastic storage containers with leftovers into plastic baggies and place these into the larger garbage bag. Taking the extra time to put the pasta, sauces, dips, etc. into a plastic baggy will ensure that the wetness doesn’t seep through the larger bag or spill before you make it to the trash can…you’ll thank me for this someday! :) Listen, we’re already cleaning out our fridge, we don’t need to be washing the floor! Instead of throwing your food out you can always add it to your compost pile….if you have one. (Aha, another blog post…wheels turning…)

Let the cleaning begin! Take all removable parts out of the refrigerator, including shelves, wire racks and yes the drawers…hey, don’t kill the messenger! Fill the sink with warm, soapy water (use a mild dish soap). Hand-wash the shelves, wire racks and drawers, then rinse them in warm water. Allow your shelves to dry well.

Cleaning the inside of your fridge…didn’t we do enough already? Not really… White vinegar is often used as a household cleaning agent. Because it is acidic, it can dissolve mineral deposits from glass, coffee makers, and other smooth surfaces. It works great in your refrigerator, too! For most uses dilution with water is recommended for safety and to avoid damaging the surfaces being cleaned.

Recently, vinegar has been marketed as a green solution for many household cleaning problems. You can kill and prevent mildew by wiping the inside of your refrigerator with pure white vinegar. Vinegar discourages and prevents the growth of mildew, molds and other undesirable bacteria. After an application of vinegar, wipe the surface with a clean, damp rag and dry thoroughly.

Once your fridge is thoroughly cleaned, kindly return your shelves and drawers. You’re almost done!!

Before returning your items to your very clean refrigerator…I know, I know… check containers’ expiration dates particularly yogurt, milk, cheese and other dairy products. Be sure to discard if expired. It’s never a good idea to take chances.

Dump out old, half full sticky bottles of flat sodas, sparkling water, wine or condiments. I also like to wipe down any dirty jars or containers. Stop rolling your eyes! :) You know you hate reaching for a jar and then having a sticky residue all over your hands!

Throw away smelly lunch meats…yuck, I absolutely LOVE turkey breast for lunch, but boy do I hate the smell after a day or two. You bring a pound of turkey breast home and then you make a very important announcement…”Everyone stop what you’re doing… no dear the bathroom can wait, this is very important… “Everyone, nothing else for lunch for two days…I bought another pound of turkey breast… WE MUST NOT WASTE THIS SLICED TURKEY…husband and kids cry out … “Oh, please, we don’t want to eat turkey sandwiches anymore!” Poultry products like turkey and chicken never last as long as pork products like ham and salami, so be sure to check all your lunch meat.

I also take a moment each day to quickly wipe down the outside doors and handles of my refrigerator, THAT’S RIGHT…LET ME EXPLAIN BEFORE YOU get snippy with me…SMILE…fingerprints and germs, especially during the months of flu season…now that makes sense right?

Be sure to keep your refrigerators at 41 °F (5 °C) or less. A temperature of 41 °F (5 °C) or less is important because it slows the growth of most bacteria. The temperature won’t kill the bacteria, but it will keep them from multiplying, and the fewer the bacteria, the less likely you are to get sick.

YOUR FREEZER: It is also important to clean out your freezer every three months or so. Do the same thing with the freezer. Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because food has been stored in the freezer that it is still good. If something has been in there longer than a couple of months, throw it out. Foods can get freezer burn and absorb smells, and are generally not too tasty after spending a long sojourn in the freezer. Also, throw out the boxes of baking soda that have been in the freezer and refrigerator, and make a note on your shopping list to replace them.

It is a good idea to have a cooler on hand. Put your frozen and refrigerated foods into the cooler until you are finished cleaning your appliance. Most freezers no longer need to defrost, but if yours is one that does, plan in advance for this event and purchase some ice for your cooler.

Happy cleaning! Just think how fortunate we are to be out of the “ice box” era! :)

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