The Easy Way To Clean Out Your Fridge

1) Grab a few cardboard boxes, a laundry basket, or any Rubbermaid bins you've got in your home. Remove everything from the refrigerator. Keep in mind that condiments and/or vegetables and fruits should stay together. Keep dairy (milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc) in a separate container so you know these items need to go back in the refrigerator asap.

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2) Remove your drawers, trays and dividers and place in a bathtub with hot water and bleach. Let sit, then return to the kitchen for some heavy duty sorting.

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3) Put on your rubber gloves and scrub down with a non-toxic cleaner (I love Method's all-surface cleaner) from top to bottom, gathering food crumbs at the bottom and wiping clean. After scrubbing, wipe down with a warm cloth to remove all cleaning agents.

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4) Place an open box of baking soda to absorb any smells that are left in your fridge, and head to the bathroom to check on your shelves!

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5) Check to see if spots have dissolved in the tub. If not, use your non-toxic cleaner on shelves, drawers and trays, and wipe down with a warm cloth.

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6) Back in the kitchen, sort through the contents of your bins, boxes and tubs. If you haven't used a product in six months, pitch it. Anything that's expired is not allowed back in the refrigerator, no matter how much your teenage son will protest his E-Z Cheese in the garbage.

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7) Re-categorize your items as you place them back in the refrigerator, keeping like items together. Line your drawers with a paper towel to keep fruit and veggies crisper, as well as collect any food remnants for your next cleaning (in three months or as needed).

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