Cleaning and organizing your refrigerator and freezer aren’t exactly rocket science, yet many of us fail to keep it done consistently. In this 3-day refrigerator challenge you’ll clean, optimize and organize this workhorse of the kitchen.

 

 

In this 3-day challenge I’m helping you plan, sort, toss, clean and optimize your refrigerator and freezer so when you open those steely doors, the sight inside will be something to behold.  

I’m also including fridge storage ideas and hacks that will give you goosebumps, pun intended! With the right tools, you can transform your grungy, clutter reefer into an organized oasis. 

Day 1 Plan the Refrigerator and Order Your Organizers

Day 1 of the 3-Day Challenge is Optimizing. Consider the types of items you typically store your food in and how much space they require. This will give you a rough idea of your storage needs. 

Optimizing the Refrigerator with Bins and Organizers

Next, shop for some clear bins, Lazy Susan’s and wire shelves. These are great for grouping similar items together and making them easily visible. A lazy Susan can make it easy to access items, especially those at the back. And wire shelves help with vertical space. 

Because they are stackable, they’re great for grouping similar items together. The ideal size for stackable bins in your refrigerator depends on the size of your fridge and the items you want to store but here are guidelines.

Choose bins that are narrow and deep, so they can fit easily on your fridge shelves.

Again, consider using clear bins, so you can easily see what’s inside.

Measure your fridge shelves before you buy bins, so you can choose the right size.

Here are some stackable bin sizes to choose from:

Clear Stackable Bin Sizes

Fruits, Vegetables and Small Items, 10″L x 6″W x 3″H.

Deli Meats, Cheese and Larger Items, 11.8″L x 7.9″W x 5.9″H. 

Eggs, 12.4″L x 6.4″W x 3.5″H.

Items in Back of Fridge

Lazy Susan

Flat Items and Meats

Food storage trays

Refrigerator Organizers 

Utopia Home Refrigerator Organizer Bins. The six-piece organizing set includes five wide open-top bins and a sleek egg holder.

OXO Good Grips GreenSaver, for keeping greens fresh.

The Home Edit iDesign Egg Bin, an egg storage container.

Copco Basics Turntable, a lazy Susan is perfect for storing condiments or other small items.

iDesign Wide Fridge Bin Tray, for storing meats and other flat items.

Measure your refrigerator before purchasing, obviously.

Day 2: Empty and Clean the Fridge

Once you’ve shopped for or received your online orders you’ll be cleaning and organizing the refrigerator. Day two of the 3-Day Refrigerator Challenge is cleaning.

If you ordered organizers and haven’t yet received them, go back to your calendar and schedule this day for after you’ve received your organizers.

Start by emptying the fridge. A cooler can be handy to keep perishables cold while you work.

Give your fridge a good cleaning inside and out using warm water and a mild dish soap like Method or Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Day. Use baking soda to get out tough marks and stains. Bar Keeper’s Friend is good too. Stay away from bleach and abrasives.

Wash your organizers too. 

Day 3 Sort and Replace Items in the Refrigerator 

Day 3 is about organizing and placement. Using the list above from day 2, place your organizers, and sort and replace all your items in the refrigerator and freezer. 

The top shelves and door are the warmest spots in the fridge, while the middle and bottom shelves and the back of the fridge and freezer get progressively cooler. 

Keep condiments in the door and dairy and eggs on the upper shelves. Meat and milk on the lowest shelf and fruits and vegetables in the crisper.

Thanks for joining me for 3-Day Refrigerator Challenge: Clean, Optimize and Organize this Workhorse Kitchen.

Taking excellent care of yourself means knowing what your body needs and then providing it consistently throughout the year. With 2024 here, get your health and wellness program back in place with my 7-Day Wellness Challenge!

 

7-Day Wellness Challenge

Create an exceptional lifestyle with optimal foods, joyful workouts and effective tools and tips to help you stay consistent, get yourself results and enjoy life to its fullest. 

Introducing The 7-Day Wellness Challenge, an owner’s manual for your body that guides you in developing healthy habits and easy-to-implement action steps and routines.

• Seven condensed lessons and two bonuses.
• Optimal eating plans with game changing salads, plant-based meals, green juicing and the basics to making healthy foods taste really delicious.
• Fun and effective workouts; at-home equipment recommendations and scheduling tools.
• Mindset and budgeting tips for spending more on organic, healthy foods.
• Trusted, health related resources and book recommendations for working with your medical professional and being your own health advocate.

Learn the 7 steps to a beautiful, health centered lifestyle here!

Bye for now!

Shiree’

For more on wellness design and easy home makeovers, check out my post “Give Your Home a Wellness Makeover in One Weekend” plus, the link to my interview with award winning anchor Deirdre Fitzpatrick!