Spring Clean Your Refrigerator

Man spraying cleaning fluid on refrigerator shelves

A well-organized refrigerator helps reduce food waste and save money. You should aim to deep clean your refrigerator every three to four months. Follow these steps to clean and organize your refrigerator:

  1. Remove everything. Throw out food that has spoiled or expired and leftovers more than four days old.
  2. Put perishables, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, and eggs, in a cooler with ice or ice packs to keep cold while cleaning the refrigerator.
  3. Wash all shelves, drawers, and walls with hot soapy water. Rinse with clean, hot water and let air dry. Replace drawers and shelves once they are dry.
  4. Make sure the refrigerator temperature is 40ºF or below, so your food is safe to eat.
  5. Group similar foods together as you put them back in the refrigerator. Label and date all foods.
    • Crisper drawers: Keep fruits and vegetables.
    • Deli drawers: Store deli meats and cheeses.
    • Lowest shelf: Place raw meats on a plate, so they do not drip onto other foods.
    • Back of refrigerator: Keep milk and eggs, so they stay cold.
    • Door: Store sauces and condiments.
  6. Once a year, clean the back and bottom of the fridge. This helps it to operate efficiently.

For more information, watch the Organize Your Fridge video, bit.ly/3CT20lS, on the Spend Smart. Eat Smart. website.

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