A clean and organized refrigerator can help you get the most out of your hard earned cash. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to the grocery store to purchase something like ketchup only to return home and find that I already had a bottle…it was just hiding in the back of an untidy fridge. Now, I make organizing the refrigerator a part of my kitchen cleaning routine. Here are a few steps to keep your refrigerator tidy and fresh.

1. Pull everything out of the refrigerator

• Set the food, condiments and other items on the counter top or on a table nearby.
• Toss anything that is spoiled, expired or that you know longer plan to eat (ex. last week’s leftovers).
• Consolidate open bottles of condiments by pouring near empty bottles into a single container.

2. Wash and wipe down the interior and its parts

• Remove the refrigerator shelves, drawers and other detachable parts and wash them in the dishwasher or in the sink with hot soapy water.
• Wipe down the inside of the door and the non-removable parts.

3. Return and organize the refrigerator’s contents

• Keep like items together and place tall items in the back.
• Place items in their designated compartments (vegetables and fruit in the crisper, chicken, beef, etc. in the meat drawer).
• Keep in mind that the top refrigerator shelf is one of the warmer spots in the fridge so place items that spoil quickly on the bottom shelf since it is the coldest.
• Reserve a shelf for leftovers and other ready to eat food.
• In addition to the topmost shelf, the door compartment is another area that does not get very cold. Store condiments inside the door.

4. Wash and wipe the exterior surface

• Remove magnets and other items from the refrigerator door and wipe down the surface.
• Before placing the items back on the door, sort through them. Toss any outdated information and clutter.

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