We started with the freezer and then we crash-tackled the pantry, and I am very pleased to say that I think I have solved my chronic pantry moth problem! Everything open is now stored in airtight plastic containers, cutting off the little blighters’ food source and eradicating them for good (I hope!). So I’m feeling buoyant as we prepare to organise the fridge once and for all. I know I’m most likely being foolishly optimistic, but there is something about just getting a job done that is deeply satisfying for me. Especially a job that you’ve been meaning to get around to for ages and ages. Fridges are a bit like that.
Weekly tasks to keep the fridge clean
A deep clean is definitely needed, but I’m pleased to say I keep on top of mine pretty well. Each week I do the following:
- Throw out anything past its due date (I do this on bin night, of course).
- Give the shelves a quick wipe with a damp cloth dipped in 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of bicarb of soda with two drops of vanilla essence (this keeps the fridge smelling fresh).
- Bring older food to the front (this keeps it top of mind)
Deep clean the fridge
Here’s how to give the fridge a really good scrub. Please be careful when moving the fridge or pulling out racks and shelves.
Empty the fridge
It goes without saying that the first thing you have to do is unplug the fridge from the electricity. Once done you can get everything out of the fridge. Discard anything past its used-by date or anything that you’ve been ‘meaning’ to use for way too long now. Work fast now because you don’t want to keep things out of the fridge for too long. If in doubt, put things into the freezer or an esky packed with ice.
Take out the shelves
Remove all of the shelves, including the shelves in the door. Sometimes they get stuck, so be patient and prise them out. Wash each shelf in hot, soapy water. Use a bottle brush to scrub into nooks and crannies. Leave to air dry in the dish rack while you clean inside the fridge.
Wipe down inside the fridge
Wipe down every surface inside the fridge using hot, soapy water. For sticky, stubborn marks pour over a little boiling water to dissolve the bonds and wipe up with your cloth. Once sparkling, finish with a vanilla essence wipe down – just pour a few drops of vanilla essence onto clean, damp cloth and wipe every surface. Vanilla helps to absorb odours.
Clean behind the fridge
While the fridge is switched off and empty, enlist some help to move it out and vacuum behind. Don’t be scared by what you find there – the fridge element is a magnet for dust. Use a just-damp cloth to wipe down the back if necessary, but be careful not to move or get any elements wet.
Clean outside the fridge
Once the fridge is back in place, wipe down the outside using a damp cloth and a suitable cleaning agent for your fridge type. Bicarb and vinegar works for most things. Wait a few minutes for everything to settle and then you can start putting everything back in. Read on for tips for keeping the fridge organised.
Keep cleaning! Here’s how to deep clean other kitchen appliances:
- How to clean your mixer
- How to clean your food processor
- How to clean your toaster
- How to clean your kettle
Organise the fridge contents
The most efficient way to organise the fridge is in a way that will:
- keep food fresher for longer
- allow you to see what you have
- is fast to access when you are cooking
- lets kids access the foods they need too.
What you need
A simple way to store food in the fridge is to use baskets and containers that stack. There are all kinds on the market, but simple plastic baskets from the $2 shop work just as well as pricier versions, and any container that has an airtight seal will do the job of keeping food fresh. You can get flat, open-weave plastic baskets or use upright magazine-holder style baskets. Both are equally welcome. Next, clearly label all of your baskets so you know what goes where. You should also use labels to mark containers with used-by dates and contents.
Ways you might use baskets
- Keep a basket of healthy snack choices on the bottom shelf for the kids to help themselves.
- Have a basket you keep lunch box supplies in that is off limits at other times.
- Put all foods needed for breakfast in a separate basket that you can grab and go in the morning (this idea is from i heart organizing, you can see how it works in the picture above).
- Allocate different food groups to separate baskets – cold meats / cheese and dairy / excess fruit and vegetables, etc.
- Use baskets as pull-out-drawers on the hard to reach top shelf.
- Keep milk and other items that are prone to spilling in a basket.
- Separate fruits and vegetables in the crisper using baskets.
Best spot to keep everything
Milk – we tend to keep the milk in the fridge door, but it’s best kept on the bottom shelf at the back of the fridge where it is colder. Not very convenient, I know!
Yoghurt and other dairy – should join the milk on the bottom shelf. You could always try putting a lazy susan down there to make accessing everything easier.
Eggs – should be kept in their cardboard container and stored on the middle shelf.
Fruit and vegetables – keep these separate, as veggies tend to like much higher humidity than fruit. Use one crisper drawer for fruit and the other for vegetables. Keep overflow on the bottom shelf by the milk and dairy.
Cold meats – keep these in an airtight container on the middle shelf, towards the back.
Butter – this can be kept in the fridge door along with sauces, condiments and nut oils.
Juices and cordials – keep in the door.
Raw meat – bottom shelf only and make sure you put it in a container that will contain any leakages. If you can, allocate a crisper drawer for storing raw meat.
