Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day 🧊

Overview

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, observed annually on November 15th, is an unofficial holiday encouraging individuals to declutter, clean, and organize their refrigerators. Timed perfectly before the heavy cooking and entertaining season of Thanksgiving and other winter holidays, it aims to make space for new groceries, prevent foodborne illnesses by discarding expired items, and reduce food waste. This observance promotes good kitchen hygiene and helps ensure fresh, safe food for holiday meals.

Origin and story

It is strategically observed on November 15th, just before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, to prepare for an influx of holiday ingredients and leftovers.

Experts recommend a thorough deep cleaning of your refrigerator every three to six months to maintain hygiene and prevent bacterial growth.

Quick facts

• DateNovember 15
• TypeKindness / Community
• Great forCommunity groups, Friends, Coworkers

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Ways to celebrate

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day is timed on purpose — it lands right before the Thanksgiving grocery rush, when your fridge needs the space most.

Actually empty it out

Celebrate by:

• Emptying your fridge and tossing anything expired before the holiday grocery rush hits.
• Checking expiration dates on condiments in the door; they're the most commonly forgotten culprits.
• Using up random half-used ingredients in one big "clean-out" meal before restocking.

Learn to clean it properly

Helpful resources:

• Are You Storing Food Safely? (FDA)

Reorganize while you're at it

• Reorganizing so you can actually see what you have before buying more.

Did you know?

Food safety officials recommend cleaning refrigerator spills immediately and deep-cleaning shelves regularly — it's one of the simplest ways to reduce the spread of bacteria like Listeria between foods.

Fun facts

• It is strategically observed on November 15th, just before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, to prepare for an influx of holiday ingredients and leftovers.
• Experts recommend a thorough deep cleaning of your refrigerator every three to six months to maintain hygiene and prevent bacterial growth.
• A refrigerator should be kept at or below 40°F (4°C) to slow the growth of bacteria and keep food safe.

Sources and attribution

Are You Storing Food Safely? (FDA)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day?

It is observed on November 15 each year.

What is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day?

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, observed annually on November 15th, is an unofficial holiday encouraging individuals to declutter, clean, and organize their refrigerators. Timed perfectly before the heavy cooking and entertaining season of Thanksgiving and other winter holidays, it aims to make space for new groceries, prevent foodborne illnesses by discarding expired items, and reduce food waste. This observance promotes good kitchen hygiene and helps ensure fresh, safe food for holiday meals.

How do people celebrate Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day?

Empty out expired food and deep-clean your fridge before the Thanksgiving grocery rush — experts recommend doing this every three to six months anyway.

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