DeCluttering & Organizing Your Fridge & Freezer

 Considering I am a professional organizer, I occasionally find too much clutter in certain areas of my life. This clutter cloud usually hangs over my fridge and freezer. I seem to keep buying food but not cooking it (I can't say no to a dinner invitation), or due buying too many different types of Indian pickles.   To stem this clutter cloud I decided to declutter and organize my fridge and freezer immediately.This is what I did and recommend you do when decluttering and organizing your fridge and freezer next:

1. Keep the rubbish bin or garbage bags near you.
2. If you have a dishwasher, make sure it’s empty and ready to be filled. If you don’t, prepare your sink for washing the dishes.
3. Take each item out of your fridge one by one. Look at each item, and check the expiration date.
4. If the food has expired, throw it away.
   Tip: “Best before” dates apply only to foods that are unopened. Once a container is opened, the contents will deteriorate much faster, even in the refrigerator. When you open a container, write the date on it. Then you can easily tell how long it’s been open and whether or not it’s safe to keep.
5. If the item is something you’re probably never going to use, get rid of it. Even if it hasn’t expired (I got rid of a few jars of pickles and jams).
6. I have decided to stop my sugar addiction, so all sweet items were thrown out of my fridge (we have to store chocolate and sugary items in the fridge to stop it melting and being attacked by ants). If you are trying to stop eating certain items, remove the addiction from inside.
7. Get rid of half cut lemons, tomatoes, opened cans of drink and fruit which you cut up a week ago.  If you can use, eat or drink them now, do it, otherwise bin it.
8. If you have duplicates, take out the item which will expire soon. If you can use it immediately for a meal, use it, otherwise bin it.
9. For the items that you will keep, put them on a table or counter as you work.
10. Once your fridge and freezer has been emptied, wipe down the inside of both. I used anti-bacterial wipes to quicken the process and degreaser spray.
    Tip: To remove dried spills place a warm, wet cloth over the spill and let it set for several minutes to soften whatever it is (or was). Scrape off the softened goo with a nylon scraper and then wipe the surface clean with a fresh cloth that’s been dipped in warm, soapy water and thoroughly rung out.
11. Put the food you plan to keep, back into the fridge.
12. Keep leftovers in clear containers or bags. This will remind you, that you have to eat them next.
13. Wash the dishes and storage containers that held the food that you threw out.
    Tip: When storing leftovers, it’s better to separate large amounts into multiple smaller containers.
14. Make a list of things you might need to replace in your shopping list (my shopping list is held in my ticktick app).

Once you have completed this organizing session, stay on top of it by doing a weekly cleanout.  Get rid of the expired foods (especially the vegetables) and wipe up any spills. Also rearrange the contents before you go shopping.To keep food for longer:

• Double-bag raw meat and store on a platter on the bottom shelf to avoid leaks that could contaminate other food.

• Take wet fruits and veggies out of the plastic grocery bags and pat them down with a dry paper towel — getting rid of the excess moisture will keep these items fresh and crisp.

• While most fridges come with an egg holder, it's better to keep eggs in their carton, which is specifically designed to contain spills and keep eggs fresh and odor-free.

• Chop a bunch herbs in a food processor, put them in an ice cube tray to freeze individual portions and add a teaspoon or two of olive oil. Break off pieces to season soups and sauces.

 Here is a video of my previously organized fridge. I store items in little baskets for easy access and to keep like for like items together. 

 Once you have decluttered and organized your fridge, send me photos of before and after so we can see how well you did!      [twitter-follow username="decluttrme" scheme="dark"] 

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