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Why You Should Put “Clean the Fridge” at the Top of Your Grocery List

Shifrah Combiths
Shifrah Combiths
With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
published Feb 25, 2019
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I hate to toss around tired old adages, but the truth of the matter is that taking care of a problem when it’s small is far easier than addressing a bigger problem once it’s grown. “Stitching in time” is particularly relevant when it comes to home-keeping—where procrastination, like not sweeping dirt from hardwood floors, can lead to major tasks like eventually refinishing your scratched-up floor.

Even when the stakes are lower than damaged wood flooring, taking the time to preempt larger cleaning tasks pays off. Here’s one way to do it with your fridge so you can forestall—and maybe avoid altogether —the great big fridge clean-outs none of us relish.

Keeping the fridge clean can be a manageable, bite-sized task if you tie it to another chore you do regularly, so try this:

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Put “Clean the Fridge” on Your Grocery List

Each time you head out for new stores, make it a routine to assess your fridge, inside and out. Get rid of anything that’s expired. Peek in and assess those leftovers. And double check on any low items you might need to replenish.

To help you remember to do this before it becomes a habit (and to help make it one) add “Clean out fridge” to the top of your shopping list. Whether you have a designated shopping day or you shop on an as-needed basis, cleaning the fridge before you go won’t get skipped.

When it comes time to do your quick fridge clean-out, go down the following list:

  1. Remove items. This can be done by shelf, drawer, or section, or all at once.
  2. Purge any expired items, including leftovers older than three to five days max and rotting produce.
  3. Take note of what needs to be eaten soon and consider planning meals around these items or transferring them to the freezer if you can.
  4. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and bins. I like to use a white vinegar-and-water spray since the fridge holds our food.
  5. Replace items after quickly swiping any containers with a damp rag.
  6. Wipe down the outside of the fridge and polish when necessary.

The fridge-check routine is a tenant of smart shopping, but it’s also a clever way to stay on top of your homekeeping. If you schedule a mini fridge clean-out for right before you go shopping, your fridge won’t ever get too out of control.

Filed in:
Cleaning
Kitchen
Mindful Living