National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day is observed annually on November 15. Get together a bucket filled with warm soapy water, disinfectant, a sponge and a garbage bag, and you are ready!
National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day was created by the home economists at Whirlpool Home Appliances in the 1990’s. It is said that they created the day to encourage people to clean out their refrigerator in advance of the upcoming holidays.
The timing for this day is perfect as Thanksgiving is coming soon. We will need room for all of the special holiday food and upcoming leftovers. Don’t expose your expensive holiday specialties to lurking bacteria and mold, or suffer the embarrassment when guests can’t find a place to store their items for the holiday buffet.
Due to our hectic and busy lifestyles, the cleaning of the refrigerator often gets neglected. This job may be dreaded by many, but it is an important task. There may be a surprise or two found at the back of the shelves. Things are often pushed back as new food is put in the front and gets forgotten. Regardless, it is a good idea to take stock and determine just how long some of those items have been in your refrigerator.
Start by taking everything out of the fridge and placing it on your countertop. If you will be at this for a while (more than an hour), have a cooler handy for perishables. Here are a few helpful steps to assist in making that cleaning job happen more quickly:
• Dismantle: Take out shelves and drawers so you can give the inside of the refrigerator a good, deep cleaning with hot, soapy water. Wipe down the interior, wash the shelves and drawers. Clean up all the drips and spills. Dry everything before reassembling.
• Dispose: Look for spoiled, shriveled (or unidentifiable) items and check expiration dates. Get rid of anything that is past it’s prime or that you do not use– such as that condiment or sauce or spread that no one really liked. It is time to toss and purge!
• Consolidate: If you have two half empty jars of pickles, combine them to save space – just make sure one of them has not out lived its shelf life. Store similar items together to make finding them quick and easy.
• Don’t forget the door: Make sure you clean all the pockets on the door and wipe down the seal around the edge of the door. Clean the handle and front of the appliance, too.
•Vacuum condenser coils and under the refrigerator.
Now that you have cleaned and organized your refrigerator, it would be a great time to set some new ground rules. Start by labeling and dating what is in your leftover containers. This way you know what you are saving for another meal. Time flies when we are having fun – something you tucked away in the refrigerator for another time has suddenly been saved for a couple of weeks, instead of a couple of days, and is no longer a safe leftover. By labeling and dating, you will know what is in the container and when to eat, freeze or toss it.
Tips like these help reduce waste, save money and keep your family from experiencing a possible foodborne illness.
Don’t wait until the next National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Make it a monthly event to treat your refrigerator well and it will take care of the foods you love.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.