It's Time to Purge Your Refrigerator, and Here's How
With a busy routine, it's easy to forget about purging your refrigerator and giving it a much-needed cleaning. Chances are, you only notice the catastrophe when the refrigerator is piling with food items, and there's no space left to put the groceries you just bought. Reaching this extent is a danger zone. You'd want to purge your refrigerator way before you arrive at this point. Despite the workload on your shoulders, it’s simpler to maintain a clean fridge than to have to clear out all the junk in it after months of leaving the refrigerator unattended. On the flip side, if you're already stuck with the mess, you'll need some tips on how to get the job done.
Empty the Refrigerator
Take everything out; only then can you truly deep clean the refrigerator without anything getting in your way. And no, don't consider leaving a few items inside and going around them. Not only will it make the process harder for you while you're cleaning it, but you won't be able to clean it as effectively. If you think it's going to take you a few hours to get everything clean, keep an icebox at your side to put in chicken, meat, seafood, etc., that shouldn't be out of the refrigerator for too long. Another trick for this is- firstly, take out foods that aren't at risk when left out, such as vegetables, canned foods, condiments, etc., and then the rest.
Clean it All Out
Once you empty the refrigerator, it's time to get cleaning. Detach any removable containers or shelves of the refrigerator and put them aside. You can wash these under the sink using liquid soap and a sponge. As for the refrigerator's inside, again, use liquid soap and a sponge and thoroughly scrub every corner. This will get rid of the general dirt as well as tough spills and stains. Then, wipe the surface with a microfiber towel. When cleaning your refrigerator, keep the environment greener too by using eco-friendly products. While you’re at it, don’t forget to clean the greasy fingertips marks on the refrigerator’s handle. Since you are deep cleaning the refrigerator, you might as well go around the entire exterior too. Use a disinfectant on the exterior, especially on the handles, since they’re constantly being touched to get rid of germs.
What Should You Put Back?
As much as it hurts your soul, not everything belongs back in the refrigerator once you’ve cleared it out. Get rid of food that smells fishy, looks moldy or rotten, and any processed items way past their expiration date. Similarly, with leftovers, toss them if they're uneatable. However, if you can salvage them, store them in airtight containers, and don't let them stay in the refrigerator again for an indefinite period. If you don't plan on eating them anytime soon, but they're good to go, transfer them to the freezer.
Use the Space Intelligently
Implementing some hacks when putting everything back in the refrigerator can save you a lot of trouble in the future. Start with putting similar items next to each other, like placing all canned items in a single area. Next, position items that are about to expire or go rotten at the front. This way, you'll know you have to use them soon each time you open the refrigerator. Utilize small airtight containers that don't take up much space. Make some extra space if you're planning on stocking up on the groceries or having a party at your home. Finally, store your items according to the temperature zones in the refrigerator. For example, the bottom shelves will be the coldest part, while the refrigerator door is the least cold. Another beneficial tip when rearranging your refrigerator is to use zero wastage methods to store the food.
Final Verdict
Maintain your refrigerator after the spring purge by removing any food items that should be thrown out immediately and organizing the refrigerator daily. Even if everything in your refrigerator is in the right spot, you should still deep clean it every once in a while.
