My friend G came over today for an hour to help me. She stayed an hour and a half. My project--clean out the refrigerator. She took everything off the shelves. Good things went on the table. Science projects went into the trash. Containers way out of date went into the trash.
The little table on which I placed items to keep had little on it. Two 30-gallon trash bags were put into the outdoor garbage cans. One thing that took up room was a quart jar of mayonnaise with about 1/4 cup of mayo and a 2013 best-by date. So lots of large containers with very little left took up some of the bulk.
I had an egg carton dated September 1 with two eggs. So, the volume of the carton was in great excess to what was contained in it. She had to talk me into throwing out the large French's mustard bottle with an inch in the bottom. "After all, you have two more bottles on the door." That was sort of not the point. I demurred; she happily tossed it.
She cleaned out the produce drawers but did not take them from the refrigerator, planning to do that next time. She only can spend so much time here. The door was ignored, because I keep it fairly clean. Next time, she will remove all racks and drawers and clean it better. There is nothing to be seen, but it cannot be clean without removing everything and cleaning everything. It is necessary to wipe off each bottle, bowl, or container for them to be called "clean" by me.
When I bend, I cannot bend far or for long, so things were pushed back and never retrieved. Like I told exbf, I can swoop down and fight my way back erect to pick up one thing, but I am done. Sometimes, I cannot bend at all. I cannot lean and sustain the leaning position for very long at all.
As she was leaving, she told me Lowe's was delivering my replacement washer. NO, they are not. I was still in my nightgown; stuff was in the way to get to the washer; washer had clean clothes; dryer had dried clothes. Someone decided they would deliver the washer with no warning. I sent the truck on its way.
Now, I can die knowing I won't leave behind a nasty refrigerator!
But, the freezer is nasty looking after a Coke exploded--twice. Well, not the same Coke, but one on each of two consecutive days. I know I need a timer or a brain. I obviously don't have either!
When my friend Jose was helping me remove frozen chicken parts from the freezer, I saw the look of horror and explained the exploding Cokes. I needed to put lots of cooked chicken breasts and tenders in the freezer. So, I gave him the uncooked parts, none of which were breasts.
Being without a freezer is really rough, especially since turkeys are $1.03/lb and less. She is also going to clean out the freezer. In order to get cooked meat in it, I cooked blueberries and frozen apples. I have enjoyed the applesauce!
Every few minutes, I go in and look at how empty and shiny the refrigerator is. It's beautiful.
This mess will never happen again!
Your turn
Does anything ever cause you to get behind on refrigerator cleaning?
I'm sure most of us can relate to the over cluttered fridge. I do my darndest to control waste, but as you describe, something gets pushed further back and forgotten. I've determined a 2-3 week window for an all out clean helps, and then it only takes a few minutes. Refrigerator tidiness, as part of my no food waste mantra, is a 2016 goal. I should have no excuses as I have two able bodied (three at the moment) others in my house to help.
ReplyDeleteI do a bend and grab, so bending and cleaning is just impossible. Even if I sit in a chair, there is too much leaning to do. If I had two able-bodied people around, I would not have to write this post...lol. That is a dream--having someone to get all from the back of the refrigerator.
DeleteI have the same comment-- this will never happen again. Unfortunately, it does.
ReplyDeleteKristine,
DeleteSo, you are saying reality will smack me in the face? I will ask her if once a month she will do this for me. It should have never happened...sigh.
I think your friend is an angel! That sounds like quite a job. I understand things getting shoved to the back and bottom of the fridge. I try my best to get it all cleaned every week. Makes it much easier for me. I have learned my lesson, hopefully.
ReplyDeletetana50,
DeleteI did a much better job when the back was okay.
My refrigerator is very bad too. I clean it every now and then, but still...blech. The last time I cleaned it, I took out the drawers and shelves above them .. When I replaced everything, the produce drawrr didn't go in correctly. If you're not careful, it will fall out. I told dh I would clean it again soon, and have him figure it out. That was September. The drawer is still not in correctly, as I haven't had the wherewithal to face the task again!
ReplyDeleteMeg B.,
DeleteThe drawer fits/hangs on the shelf above, but is somedays hard to get back in place.
I think I put the shelf in upside down. I refuse to attack it, though. I have to steel myself for that task. I'm telling you, it's bad. BLECH! Never again, indeed.
DeleteMeg B.,
DeleteI can see where upside down might not work. You have not seen bad until you have seen how this mess was. Of course, yours is as bad as mine...heaven help you!
I kind of clean as I go - remove a couple of things, wipe that part of the shelf & the 'things' & put them back.
ReplyDeleteRead somewhere that a mother put all the sandwich fixings on a tray in the fridge so kids could easily make their own. Would trays in the fridge help you? Never tried it as I have shelves that pull out and I keep my shelves organized by stuff. I suffer from a little OCD, even my spices are alphabetical.
I always did a clean-as-you-go thing, but cleaned it regularly by removing all shelves and drawers. No, pulling trays would be disastrous, and I could not lift them.
DeleteI clean mine thoroughly every two weeks (which is when I clean house), but then I'm thus far better able to bend than you.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush,
DeleteI am surprised you can bend!
Health issues mean that ALL of the cleaning is behind schedule here. Which is stressing me out.
ReplyDeleteEC,
DeleteSame here. I hope we both get past the health issues.
Linda, it has become necessary for me to post a list of leftovers so they will be used. I truly cannot remember what was cooked yesterday. It helps a lot.
ReplyDeleteCarol,
DeleteI may have to resort to a list!
Linda, it has become necessary for me to post a list of leftovers so they will be used. I truly cannot remember what was cooked yesterday. It helps a lot.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy for the fridge to become out of control. IN the next month I have declared war on all those almost gone jars and bottles. Anything still unused on Feb 1 is out the door (that means jelly, mustard, hot sauce and all those other condiments with 2 or less tablespoons that are taking up space. We should be having some unusual meals as I finish the containers)
ReplyDeleteAnne,
ReplyDeleteI should know better than to put a large jar of jelly in the refrigerator because three weeks ago I threw out two inches of jelly with mold on the top. It does not save money to throw out food. Although, I got such a good deal on that jelly that I still saved money even with the spoiled part thrown out.
We will br watching to see what concoctions you dream up.
"It does not save money to throw out food."
DeleteDarn, I wish you had told me this sooner.
Snowbrush,
DeleteI will keep the gems coming so you can write them down!
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Linda all creatures here below, for the advice that she doth give makes me want to say Gee Whiz…”
DeleteHappy New Year.
Snowbrush,
DeleteI had to have a good, long, laugh over your wit. Okay, stopped to re-read and laugh again. Glad to oblige you. But, I am surprised at your oath. Are you always this funny?
I am baking a blueberry cobbler in the crockpot
Also to Snow,
Deleteso you have plenty of time to get here for your portion.