Oh, the dreaded task of cleaning out the refrigerator!
It's like venturing into the dark abyss of forgotten leftovers and questionable science experiments. But fear not! In this ultimate guide, we'll tackle the beast that is your messy refrigerator and transform it into a sparkling haven of freshness. Get ready to unleash your cleaning prowess and conquer this chilling challenge with a touch of humor along the way.
Step 1: Preparation
Before you embark on your epic cleaning adventure, gather your supplies and equip yourself for battle. Line a trashcan with a sturdy bag (preferably one that won't give up on you mid-cleanup).
Pro tip: opt for a bag that can handle all the yucky stuff without leaking like a burst water balloon. Keep the trashcan nearby to dispose of things that won't be making a triumphant return to your fridge.
Remember to recycle any containers that are worthy of a second life after a thorough rinse.
Step 2: Empty Out the Refrigerator
Prepare for the great purge! Work your way down the shelves, bravely transferring the contents to the safety of your kitchen counter.
Take this opportunity to unleash your inner detective and investigate the expiration dates. Bid farewell to those ancient jars and mysterious Tupperware containers that have been lurking in the shadows for far too long.
Trust your instincts, and if it looks sketchy, give it a proper send-off.
Step 3: Wash the Shelves
Now that you've freed your shelves from the clutches of expired foods, it's time to show them some TLC. Fill your kitchen sink with warm, soapy water and let the shelves take a refreshing bath.
Grab a sponge or a soft brush and scrub away any remnants of spills and splatters. Give them a good rinse, dry them off like a hero with a trusty towel, and return them to their rightful places in the fridge.
Your shelves will shine like beacons of cleanliness!
Step 4: Wipe the Inside Walls
While your shelves are enjoying their rejuvenating bath, turn your attention to the interior walls of the fridge. Those sneaky splatters and sticky spots have nowhere to hide from your cleaning prowess!
Armed with a damp cloth or sponge and a mild cleaning solution, vanquish the remnants of food battles fought long ago. Wipe away the evidence and leave the walls spotless and gleaming.
Step 5: Line the Vegetable and Meat Drawers
Ah, the mystical realms of the vegetable and meat drawers—where forgotten cucumbers turn to oozing slime and leaky packages wreak havoc. Fear not, for you hold the power to protect these delicate realms!
Prevention is key. Line the drawers with double layers of trusty paper towels, guardians of cleanliness. Should a vegetable go rogue or a package decide to betray you, simply replace the sacrificial paper towels and maintain order in your kingdom of fresh produce and meaty treasures.
Step 6: Organize Your Shelves
Now that your refrigerator is cleansed and revitalized, it's time to restore order and bring harmony to its interior. Embrace your inner Martha Stewart and organize your shelves with purpose and joy.
Group like items together and create zones for snacks, dairy delights, beverages, and whatever else your heart desires. No more searching for that elusive jar of pickles or discovering long-lost leftovers months later.
With a well-organized fridge, you'll be the master of culinary efficiency and avoid any unnecessary fridge-related meltdowns.
Congratulations, brave warrior!
You have emerged victorious from the depths of your refrigerator's chaos. In about 30 minutes, you've conquered the cleaning battle, transforming your once-messy beast into a sparkling sanctuary of freshness. Go ahead, open that door with pride, and revel in the sight of orderly shelves and clean walls.
Don't worry, your secret stash of refrigerated cookies is safe with us. After all, even cleaning heroes deserve a sweet reward to savor in the shadows of their immaculate fridge!
I love the oozing cucumber visual you put in my head. I never thought to line the veggie drawer I will start doing that. I discovered cleaning out my fridge also uncovers where most of the missing dishes/bowls/utensils/cups are at.
lol that is because that is what I found. So true about the dishes. I ended up with more plastic containers than I could fit back in their place. I had bought more and was wondering where they all went.
Melinda, we’ve thrown out more oozing veggies than I’d care to admit to. I never thought about lining the drawers, either. Great tip!
Here’s my contribution: don’t throw away the veggies, add them to your compost bin.
Cheers,
Mitch
Some gross unidentifiable vegetables usually find their way to the back to die in mine. The paper towels are a lifesaver (you don’t have to touch it with your hands). ha ha One day I’m going to attempt composting again. That is a good point.
To maintain the cleanliness of our refrigerator and avoid the bad odor it it important that we should arrange everything in it. We should place the same food together to avoid the mixing of odors that causes bad smell inside our refrigerator. Nice reminders, I am always having a difficult time to arrange my refrigerator due to busy schedule, but if I have time I really sees to it that it smells good and everything is in the proper order.
If I don’t organize it a little, I forget what I have.
I know what I’m doing this weekend…cleaning the fridge! At the back of my fridge, we have old probably expired condiments like ketchup and mustard. Probably several bottles of each too so we could really throw some of them out. I think I’m going to organize my drawers according to how frequently we eat/use those items. That’ll keep us a little more on track with the expiration dates.
Things just always tend to get lost in the back. I do find it isn’t as bad if it is organized by what it is.
Well, cleaning the ref is no longer my problem since we no longer have one! 😀 Ours was an old one, older than my husband, which my mother-in-law handed over. It got cold so easily that our electric meter could make a fan of itself!
Cleaning tips to share, though…baking powder gets the odor away at the same time it cleans and putting a piece of charcoal the size of your fist absorbs the odor as well. Just let it stay there by the door.
OK I have to know how you live without a refrigerator? I didn’t know about using charcoal but that makes sense.
Hey Melinda, I’m loving the paper towel trick. Thanks!
It saves me weekly 😉
I just print out this posts. LOL i just realize I messed up everything on my refrigerator. Thanks for the post!
Hahahaha!! This is such a great post! I just cleaned out my fridge after avoiding it for about 2 weeks! YUCK! I am going to put your tips into place and go for weekly! 🙂
You just reminded me that it’s time to clean my fridge LOl.. I love the way you organize the shelves, you are right sometimes I tend to forget other stuff I have specially if it’s at the back and before I know it, I can’t use it anymore! Thank you Good job!