How to Clean Out Your Fridge

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

20 May 2009 11:39 AM

If the cheese is walking across the shelf on its knees and the peas are covering themselves in a fuzzy fleece blanket, then it just may be time to clean out the refrigerator. Here is what you need to know about the tools and tips that will make the job easier than you might think.

Assemble the masses

Some people prefer to go it alone when cleaning out the fridge, but it can be helpful to have at least one helping hand. Designate a helper to toss things into the trash as you hand them out, or dry the glass shelves as you wash. It can make the job go a lot faster. Threaten to serve whatever is fuzziest in the fridge for dinner that night if no one volunteers to help.

Gather your tools

For a proper refrigerator clean out, you will need the following: a trash can (lined with a bag of course, a sink of soapy water and a sponge, window cleaner or degreaser (Windex and 409 are two good ones to have, but use whatever you like), cleaning clothes or rags, a small cooler with ice or ice packs and a pen.

Safety first

Unplug your refrigerator before you begin. Not only do you want to avoid shocks if you clean the coils, but you also don't need to refrigerator your home with the doors open as you clean out the mess.

Start at the top

If you don't pick a place to start, then you will pull things out fitfully, agonize over them and then put them back. A better way is to simply take everything out of the refrigerator. Start at the top left, to the top right and proceed all of the way through the refrigerator shelves, leaving the door shelves for last. Open all containers, unless you know that they are health hazards and make the decision to toss or keep. If you are having a hard time deciding whether or not to keep that leftover ham to make into soup, just toss it. If you didn't make the soup today, then chances are you never will.

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Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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