Challenge #7- Refrigerator

Today’s challenge is easy, and will surely give you a sense of accomplishment. Time to clean out the fridge!

Let’s recall the process we are using throughout the month:

THE PROCESS

• Gather your supplies:
  • Boxes or bags labeled with:
    • “Donate”
    • “Elsewhere”
    • “Store”
  • Trash can/recycle bin
  • Damp rag/wet wipe

• Empty challenge area for the day. And by empty, I mean EMPTY.

• Once the area is empty, wipe it clean with a damp rag.

• Now sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)
  • R- “Restore”: items to go back in
  • E- “Elsewhere: items to keep, but which don’t belong in this space
  • D- “Donate”
  • D- “Dispose”: trash or recycle
  • S- “Store”: items to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which are not regularly used. (These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.)

• As you are sorting, put items into the boxes/bags you prepared.

• Once you are finished sorting, put the “Restore” items back into your designated area.

• Carry the “Elsewhere” box/bag around your house and redistribute its contents.

• Move the “Donate” box/bag to the car to be donated.

• Trash/recycle the “Dispose” items

• Put the "Store" box aside for now. When the month is over, these items will be packaged for long-term storage.

THE TASK

The refrigerator is a busy place in our lives. Items are added and subtracted from it on a daily basis, and multiple people access it around the clock. Therefore, keeping a busy fridge organized can be difficult. The best course of action is to simply be diligent in keeping it free of “build up”: expired food, moldy food, remnant food that no one in your home will eat.

Begin today by emptying your fridge one shelf at a time, beginning with the top shelf. When the shelf is emptied, wipe it clean. Then sort through the items, pitching whatever you don’t want. Remember that most containers can now be recycled, so consider emptying/rinsing them and putting them in your recycle bin. Continue moving down your shelves to the drawers, and then finish with the spaces on the door. Work quickly, and you won’t need to reload as you go. (If you have time, you can move on to your freezer, or hold this for a weekend project!)

You should now have a counter full of the food you want to keep. This is when you have some options. You can simply return it all and be finished. Many people establish general “zones” in their fridges for like items, such as bottles on the door, milk on the right, butter/cream cheese up top, etc. If you want to go one step further, you can consider purchasing some organizing containers such as Fridge Binz, which help keep items organized. Old ice cube bins, if you have some, are also a great tool. If you decide to use containers, be sure to label them so the other family members are able to “get with the system”.

This task isn’t complicated, so don’t overthink it. The key is to simply get it done, and minimize the clutter. Remember to post your questions & comments, and check back tomorrow for a project involving paper!

Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method