You’re Just 20 Minutes Away from a Less-Cluttered Fridge
Apartment Therapy’s September Sweep is a free 15-day decluttering program, guaranteed to leave you with a lighter, leaner home by the end of the month. Sign up here so you never miss a lesson, or go here to view all of the assignments so far.
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There’s a category of cleaning I have begun to call “fauxcrastinated chores”: They’re those tasks we put off for way too long because we think they’re going to take forever when they really only take two minutes, in real life. Doing the dishes is like that, and so is breaking down boxes for the recycling. Truly you could play Bohemian Rhapsody (the song, never the film), do the damn chore, and still probably be done in time for headbanging.
Cleaning out the fridge is like that, too. In just 20 minutes you could have the spacious, clean and clear fridge of your dreams—you just have to start.
Today’s Assignment:
Do a 20-minute decluttering sweep of the fridge, freezer, and pantry.
I normally love the laundry basket method for these room sweeps, but because your food storage is probably pretty centrally located (and most things are probably destined for the trash), I think it’s best to change up your strategy.
First, bring your trash can close to the refrigerator, start a 20-minute timer, and spend your first chunk of time sorting through the fridge and freezer for things you no longer need:
Fridge
- expired condiments
- mystery leftovers
- anything really old and unlikely to be used
- anything you have multiples of
- anything you tried and didn’t like
Freezer
- anything freezer burned
- anything really old and unlikely to be used
- anything you have multiples of
- ice trays or frozen tools that aren’t being used (looking at you, KitchenAid ice cream attachment)
Then, if there’s time, head towards your pantry, cabinet, or wherever you keep your dry food goods. Bring the trash can with you, but also grab a box or grocery bag where you can collect food (like canned goods) that can be donated.
Pantry
- expired condiments
- unneeded canned goods
- old, stale food
- anything you have multiples of
- anything you tried and didn’t like
Take out the trash, set aside your donations for a food bank, and enjoy your enviously empty new spaces.
And don’t forget:
Clear three things from your monster zone.
All month long, we invite you to share your progress here in the comments and on Instagram with the #septembersweep hashtag. Or join our Apartment Therapists Facebook group to start your own conversation.
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Feel free to subscribe to our other emails.