The holidays are a fun, festive time for food, togetherness, and… more food. Now that they’ve passed and you’ve cleared out that inevitable bounty of leftovers, start fresh with a spotless fridge—scrubbed to a sparkling clean the green way.
1. Keep vs. Toss.
Take each item out one by one and place them in one of two distinct areas: a clear counter for what you’ll keep and a garbage bag for what you’ll throw out. This whole task shouldn’t take you more than an hour, but if you foresee it taking longer, have a cooler to keep the salvageable goods safe.
For food that doesn’t have an expiration date, here’s a handy guide to know how long perishables stay edible:
- Lunch meat, opened or deli: 3-5 days
- Lunch meat, unopened: 2 weeks
- Ground meat: 1-2 days
- Fresh steaks, chops, and roasts: 3-5 days
- Fresh poultry: 1-2 days
- Soups and stews: 3-4 days
- Cooked meat/poultry: 3-4 days
- Pasta, egg, or protein salads: 3-5 days
2. Wash the shelves and drawers.
Carefully remove the moving pieces of your fridge. An affordable, eco-friendly solution of 1 quart hot water + 2 tbsp. baking soda works wonders to cut the grime. Give them a sponge bath, bathe in the sink, or hose them down. Dry each piece thoroughly.
3. Clean the interior.
Using a solution of equal parts water and vinegar, start at the top of the fridge and move towards the bottom so that drips are caught as you go. A toothbrush comes in handy to get into the crevices without straining yourself. When you’re finished, dry the interior completely with a clean cloth.
4. Beauty is on the outside, too.
Wipe down the sides and door with your vinegar mixture. Get the top and underneath, as well; a yardstick with an old pair of pantyhose on the end makes a perfect upcycled duster.
5. Restock.
Back to its home your (non-expired) food goes! Consolidate multiple bottles of the same product, and wipe extra goop and gunk off the outsides.
6. Start fresh, keep fresh.
Make it a habit to evaluate your food weekly and wipe up spills as they happen. Keep a box of baking soda inside to absorb odors. You can even sprinkle vanilla or orange extract on a cotton ball to create a delightful odor to greet you every time you swing open that door.
Sarah Kellner writes for The Home Depot about organizing and cleaning your kitchen and appliances in a green way.