Has anyone ever said this to you? Makes you wonder what that smell really is, and your pretty sure it’s coming from your refrigerator. It even smells remotely like rotting vegetables, yet you’re afraid to find out. So, you put it off. Labeling it as a “someday” project. Well I’m here to tell you, today is your someday! Cleaning out your refrigerator should be something you do every week, not every…well, when was the last time you cleaned it out? Don’t worry you’re not alone, we are all too busy to take care of this sometimes-gruesome task. It isn’t something we think about until it either doesn’t smell quiet right, or it’s just down right disgusting. The only way to avoid the stench is to make sure you clean your fridge on a regular basis. Now, because we are all busy and lead even busier lifestyles here are a few tips to making the fridge not such a horrible place.
Besides cleaning it on a weekly basis, how about labeling leftovers. Use the same technique as you would with your freezer. Write on the foil, or use sticky labels on containers then write the contents and date. For example: Meatloaf, 2/3/10. This even works with restaurant leftovers, just write directly on the foam boxes: Who, what, where, and when. (Jane’s Spicy Chicken & Broccoli from: China Kitchen, 2/1/10) way, when you’re raiding your icebox for a midnight snack you will know what is good to eat, and what it is. This method is also great for the end of the week when it’s to time to ditch all the uneaten leftovers, you’ll know what needs to go based on date.
A few other ways to defeat leftovers is to have what we in our house call, “Must-go Night”. It is just that, all leftover from that week are heated up, and if it isn’t eaten, it must go. If “Must-go” isn’t your style, how about taking leftovers for lunch. Not only is it a great way to save on a budget, it’s a home cooked meal in the middle of the day.
Some other foul candidates to watch out for in your fridge are condiments. Treat them as you would your clothing: if you can’t remember the last time you used it or it’s out of date, GET RID OF IT! The more popular offenders are jellies, mayonnaise, sour cream, and sauces. These are items that you don’t use on a daily and in some cases a weekly basis. Keep in mind that not everything in your fridge lasts forever. That’s why it’s in there in the first place, because it is perishable. So with that in mind; watch for science experiments, you know what I mean, those things you never thought could grown mold, fur, and legs pushed all the way in the back of the refrigerator.
When you get to the point of ultimately finding the source of the stench coming from your fridge, you can clean it. When you clean just remember to choose your cleaner wisely, you eat the food that will be resting on the surfaces cleaned with whatever you have chosen. My cleaner of choice is good old fashion soap and water (in serious cases white vinegar works well too). I fill up the sink and start from the top down, moving items around as I pull shelves and clean them one at a time. It’s a bit time consuming but you know it’s clean.
The last step to cleaning your fridge out, is how to store your items. Yeah, yeah I know, it’s a fridge and you just put it in there. But, if you can’t see what’s in there, then there is an elevated risk of things going bad only because you didn’t know what was in there. So, here it is. Meat & fish go on the bottom shelf. The reason is, if it bleeds or leaks in your fridge, it isn’t all over everything else. Small items like salad dressings, mustard, ketchup, etc. can go on the doors. Milk should go on the shelf, not the door. I’m guilty of it too, however it can spoil a lot quicker on the door, which is the warmest spot in your refrigerator. Depending on the style you have (French door, side-by-side, top mount, or bottom mount) can determine where to put your eggs, I have a bottom mount French door refrigerator and if I put my eggs on the top shelf, they freeze. You can use the door. But beware of falling eggs especially if you have children. The rest can be put wherever it works for you.
I hope this helped you clean out you fridge, or at the least remind you to clean out the stench in your kitchen. Take into account that American’s are notorious for food waste and by not cleaning out your fridge and taking inventory of what you have can lead to just that, waste of food and your money.
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