If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about the freshness of your food until it starts to go bad. Once that happens, you realize how important it is to keep your refrigerator in top condition so your food stays as fresh as possible longer. If you use these five tips, you can make sure your fridge stays fresh even when you're extra busy!
1) Keep The Refrigerator Clean
Spills and crumbs left on refrigerator shelves not only look unsightly but also encourage mold and bacterial growth that’s harmful to your health. Keeping your refrigerator clean also means keeping it smelling fresh, which is important if you’re trying to keep food fresh for longer periods of time. Use warm water with soap or baking soda (and a soft cloth or sponge) and wipe down each shelf thoroughly. Clean out any spills on shelves or inside containers as soon as they happen.
Adding a box of baking soda to your refrigerator is another great way to keep it smelling fresh. Be sure not to open and close your refrigerator too often, as that can cause air circulation problems that affect food freshness. If you have an automatic icemaker, clean it regularly with warm water and vinegar or lemon juice. Don’t forget about cleaning any vents that might have accumulated dust.
If you don't have the time or energy after a long workday to clean the fridge, let a professional cleaner do it for you! A professional cleaning service typically offers an add-on cleaning service to thoroughly disinfect and clean your refrigerator so that you can have peace of mind about your food's freshness.
2) Separate Fresh Food from Leftovers
Make sure any leftovers of pre-prepared meals are stored in air-tight containers to ensure they stay fresh longer. If they are not stored in a sealed container, you run the risk of the food going bad quicker and making the refrigerator smell unpleasant. Not only will the refrigerator smell bad, but it also harbors bacteria and can affect your other food items too!
Keeping your refrigerator organized makes it easier to know when something needs to be eaten or thrown out. Cooking dishes and storing them in portion-sized containers is a great way to separate out meals that you’ll eat again, but don’t put any leftovers in your fridge unless you know they won’t go bad before they’re eaten. If unsure, freeze them so they can last longer and stay safe for consumption!
The same goes for fresh food; if you buy fresh fruit or vegetables, keep them in their original packaging until you’re ready to use them. Once opened, transfer into a container with an airtight seal (or put some plastic wrap over your produce) so that it stays fresher longer.
3) Eat Leftovers Quickly
Don’t let leftovers sit in your fridge for too long and go bad. Leaving leftovers in the fridge loo long can make them spoil faster, which means you end up throwing away good food that could have served as a great meal. If you want to keep your food fresh, eat those leftovers quickly! Try and eat any leftovers within 2-3 days after they are prepared. Also, try storing your leftovers in airtight containers or using an airtight container like a glass container with a lid or Tupperware. When food is exposed to air it tends to dry out quickly and become stale.
4) Plan Meals Accordingly
If you plan your meals around what’s in your fridge, then you can maximize freshness and avoid food waste. Take stock of your refrigerator before each grocery trip and plan accordingly so you don’t buy items that won’t be used.
Plan out meals for at least a couple of days—this way you decrease food waste throughout the week. For some people, planning out meals and a grocery list is the best course of action. Make sure to eat leftovers within two to three days; any longer than that and food safety might become an issue.
By planning out your meals, you’ll also be less likely to pick up unnecessary items. If you’re on a budget or trying to eat healthier, it’s a good idea to avoid buying items that won’t be used. For example, if you know that salmon is on your menu for dinner one night but will only eat it once, then don’t buy extra fish—it will go bad before you have a chance to use it again.
5) Store Food Properly
We all know food has a shelf life, but many of us are guilty of using it after its expiration date—and we might not even realize how rotten it’s gotten. To keep food fresh, wrap and store it properly (in airtight bags and containers) and regularly check your fridge. If you notice rotten or old foods that are still in your refrigerator, be sure to throw them out immediately. Double-check the expiration date on your food items regularly to avoid the risk of eating bad or stale food.
Always check to make sure your containers are air-tight to increase the shelf-life of your food. Over time, containers will lose their seal. This can be accelerated if the container is exposed to high heat from the dishwasher or microwave. The best type of container for food storage is a glass container with a lid that has a rubber part that seals on tightly. They are safe for use in a microwave and dishwasher and won’t leach chemicals into your food.
Hire a Professional Cleaning Company
Hiring a professional cleaning company will allow you to avoid worrying about how clean your refrigerator is while also giving you more time in your schedule to do what you enjoy. Protect the health of you and your family with a clean refrigerator that keeps your food fresh. Call Plan: B Cleaning and save yourself some stress and a ton of time.
Once you hire a professional cleaning service near you, you'll find you have more time to spend with your family, play with your pets, practice your hobbies, and simply enjoy life. Call Plan: B Cleaning today at (317) 572-8515 or visit https://planbcleaning.com/ to start enjoying life more with a clean apartment or home.
Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana areas for all of your residential cleaning needs. This includes Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield, Fortville, Broad Ripple, and Geist.
