Just like other areas of our homes, our pantries, cupboards and fridges can feel disorganized and cluttered after a long, harsh winter. If this is the case in your home, don’t despair! All you need is a little time and these quick tips from Mopfrog of Danbury to free your kitchen food storage areas from clutter and make them look and feel springtime fresh!
Start with The Pantry
Pantries tend to be the place where we stash all types of stray items that we think we might need or want later. Everything from grocery sacks to a stock pile of extra household items seems to end up in there, keeping us from getting the best use from the space.
Regaining control of your pantry space will provide much needed storage for items that are currently cluttering up your counters, drawers and cabinets and help make your entire kitchen look cleaner. These fast and easy steps will help you power clean your pantry in a flash.
- Sort and organize the current contents of you pantry, making sure to discard outdated foods and spices and recycle or throw out any unneeded, broken or unwanted items.
- Wipe down pantry shelves, containers and storage areas thoroughly as you work.
- If you are not already doing so, try to organize your pantry to include a space for small appliances such as crockpots and blenders that take up precious counter space and make your kitchen look cluttered.
Drawers & Cupboards
Sort, organize and wipe down each drawer and cupboard just as you did the pantry. Rid these spaces of all those stray items that tend to accumulate in them, especially that junk drawer!
Once the inside is neat, clean and organized, take a moment to thoroughly clean fingerprints and food residue from the exterior of the doors and drawers to help clean and freshen the entire space. Remember to pay special attention to the drawer handles and cabinet knobs when cleaning as they can harbor germs.
The Interior of the Fridge
Much like the pantry, the refrigerator in most homes can benefit from a spring cleaning scouring in order to get rid of outdated condiments and forgotten leftovers that have turned into scary science experiments. The easiest way to do this is first remove the contents and place them inside an insulated cooler to keep them fresh while cleaning.
Wipe down the interior with an absorbent microfiber cloth to remove spills, crumbs and foodborne illnesses, such as from raw meat and poultry juices. If the shelves are removable, place them carefully on your kitchen counter and clean them thoroughly with a vinegar and water solution to freshen and sanitize before placing them back into the fridge.
Once your fridge is clean and fresh, restock it with only the foods that are still within their freshness dates, even if they are unopened. For a natural deodorizing solution, place a fresh, open box of baking soda near the back to help keep your newly cleaned fridge smelling fresher longer.