The "Reclaim your Fridge Space" Challenge

I am finally getting around to sharing this challenge on here.  This was from the challenge we had on the MTH group this week.  Here is mine....



The "Before" Photo:

Not too bad, but it definitely can use some work.  I do a thorough fridge cleaning about every couple months. This was last done just before the holiday season.



First, I'm putting on a work apron.  This was my grandmother's and is made from a kitchen towel.



Then I put on some motivational cleaning music........this is one of my favorite new songs :-)











Now, I will take everything out of the fridge....



Lay an old towel down, and fill a wash basin with warm soapy water.  And turn off the fridge.  You don't want it running like crazy while you have the door wide open.



I start by wiping down the sides and back. 



Then I work my way top to bottom. First, with the shelves.



Then I pull out the drawers and clean them out.  I keep my drawers lined with folded newspaper or paper grocery bags.  If something leaks, they soak it up, and make cleaning so much easier.  Every time I clean out the fridge, I replace them with fresh. 



I pull out the glass shelf over the crisper and clean out all the cracks.  An old toothbrush can be handy here. 



Then I clean out the bottom of the fridge, under where the drawers normally sit.



Don't forget to clean out the rubber gaskets on the door, and the grate at the bottom.  I think the easiest way to do that, is to take it off, and spray it off in the shower.  Dry with a towel and replace.



Then I sort through all the contents, separating the good stuff from the expired, old, or just "never gonna eat" stuff.    Afterward, I put all the good things back.



What a huge difference!



Repeat with the door....



And on to the freezer....(before)



and after....



Look at how much is going!



Lastly, I take off all my "decorations," wipe down the whole outside of the fridge, and replace with only my favorites.  Don't forget the top of the fridge too!



All done!





Now I will go through the discard items.  I will empty any "leftovers" containers and empty the jars that I need to keep.  They go straight into the dishwasher.