Guess what today is? It is National “Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.” And the timing couldn’t be more perfect, with Thanksgiving right around the corner.
If you are hosting the Thanksgiving meal, you want to make sure everything is spotless. And you definitely want to make room for the food, so why not take advantage of this National event?
Personally, I will be saving this job for the weekend. If you can do it today, go for it.
But remember, this isn’t just about taking out the stuff that’s growing mold (oh, I hope that isn’t happening in your fridge—talk about bacteria!). It is a deep cleaning. It means emptying all of the contents.
Completely clear out your refrigerator. If you move fast enough, it shouldn’t be a problem to keep some of the items outside the fridge for a few minutes. Otherwise, use coolers to keep things cold.
Then get inside that refrigerator and clean. Take out removable shelves and wash them in the sink. Spray the inside with a disinfectant spray. Use a toothbrush to get into the little nooks and crannies.
Before you stuff everything back inside, be sure to look at expiration dates and throw away old stuff. Remember, the idea is to try and clear space for all of the Thanksgiving food items that will fill up the fridge.
So be generous in getting rid of things. Then you only have a few days to maintain the fridge until the big day.
Although this is a great reason to clean out your refrigerator, it’s not the only one. You really don’t have to have mold growing on food for there to be bacteria inside your fridge. The longer food sits, the faster bacteria grows.
You should also take advantage of this opportunity to make sure the temperature inside the fridge is set right. And make sure you don’t have packages of raw meat near other food items (like vegetables), as there is the risk of cross-contamination.
Happy National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day!
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When Your Refrigerator Has Become a Science Project
Photo by susansimon in Flickr