When was the last time you took everything out of your fridge and gave it a good old scrub?
We’re not just talking about pulling out the odd moldy vegetable or ancient condiments from the depths of your fridge – we’re talking about a proper cleanout!
National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day serves a few purposes.
First of all, the holiday season is upon us, so we need to make plenty of space for all the goodies we’re cooking up!
Speaking of tasty treats, we must ensure ample fridge room for the inevitable leftovers. After all, if you aren’t left with enough leftovers to feed a small army, are you really doing the holidays proper justice?
Finally, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day highlights a rather alarming issue and pushes us to do something about it – our fridges are often one of the filthiest places in our kitchens!
So, what are you waiting for? Get a bucket of soap and water and give your fridge a good old scrub. And please, do try and clean it again a few times between now and next National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day!
History of National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.
This squeaky clean holiday appears to be the brainchild of the Whirlpool Corporation, a typical white goods manufacturer, who must have decided to take the matter of their clients’ fridge cleanliness into their own hands.
At first, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day was meant to be held on the third Wednesday in November, with records of the first celebration being held on November 10, 1999.
In 2000, we were all sending eCards to each other, so eCard companies essentially set the date as November 15, as it was easier than changing their eCards every year!
By this point, there was very little Whirlpool could do but be happy that people were cleaning their fridges out or posting about it online!
That said, Whirlpool did actually try and wrest control of the holiday back in 2004 by declaring National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Week from the 4th to the 10th of April, but it didn’t really stick.
Not that we really blame anyone for ignoring it; cleaning out your fridge for one day is bad enough. Doing it for a whole week? Talk about overkill!
How to Celebrate National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.
Use up all the old food and drinks that clutter your fridge.
We’re all guilty of saving bits and pieces for later.
In anticipation of the actual cleanout, why not see if you can rustle up some snacks using the last little bits from the various jars, bottles, and containers of food that have crept to the back of your fridge?
That said, when in doubt, chuck it in the trash!
Rope your family or co-workers into helping you.
Cleaning the fridge is a surprisingly tremendous job, so don’t tackle it all by yourself!
Give plenty of warning, but when the time comes, don’t be shy to strongarm anyone around into helping you out.
Clean your fridge already!
By this point, you’re clearly just procrastinating, so it seems we have to spell it out to you.
First things first, toss out anything you don’t want to keep.
All that’s left to do is get some soap, gloves, and warm water, and it’s time to get scrubbing!
Or delegate it to someone else; we’re not your mom!
National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day FAQs.
What are the best chemicals to use when cleaning a fridge?
According to the Center for Disease Control, you must first use hot, soapy water. Afterward, wipe your fridge down with a solution consisting of one tablespoon of bleach in a gallon (3.78 L) of water.
Can I leave perishables on the counter while cleaning the fridge?
You mustn’t leave perishables on the counter for longer than two hours. If you think you’ll take longer, you could ask a neighbor for some temporary fridge space to avoid waste.
What temperature should my fridge be to keep everything fresh, anyway?
The National Food and Drug Administration states that perishables need to be kept at or below 40°F (4 °C). Keep them above 32°F (0 °C), or everything will freeze!
National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day Infographic/Statistics
Seeing as you’ve gone to all that effort in making your fridge all squeaky clean, it would be a good idea to learn how to keep it more organized!
You’re lucky that we’re so smart and generous that we’ve gathered a handy infographic from the USDA on just that!
6 Fast Facts About Refrigerators
- The first artificial refrigerator was invented in 1755 by William Cullen, a Scottish professor.
- Organizing your fridge can help prevent contamination and avoid food waste!
- The coldest spot in a fridge is at the back, as it’s more sheltered from warm air when you open the door.
- Before fridges, we used to keep food in boxes and storage rooms full of ice.
- Fridges are the second-most energy-consumptive household device.
- May 29 is another special day for refrigerators, as it’s known as Put A Pillow On Your Fridge Day.
While National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day seems like a little bit of a gimmick, it’s a pretty big deal!
Not only will you make more space for all that tasty food you’ll make over the holiday season, but you’re also making your kitchen a much safer place!
Shash Wighton
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