Upgrade Your Apartment With Inexpensive, Temporary Decor

Posted on: 20 April 2015

Preparing for a vacation takes a lot of planning. You need to make lists of what you need to pack, figure out where to board the family dog, and purchase any of your last-minute items. However, you may want to take a little time to prepare your refrigerator for your absence. Items left too long in the fridge while you are out of town can result in a very unpleasant mess. Save yourself that hassle and take these three steps before you go away:

Use Up the Last Bits of Food for Road Snacks

One great way to come home to a fresh refrigerator is to use up what you have. For the frugally minded people out there, this is not only a great way to clean out the fridge, but it is a great way to avoid throwing food in the trash. You may not even realize how much you have that you can take along for the long car or plane ride. A lot of little things can add up to a substantial snack stash.

If you have a few carrots and a couple stalks of celery, cut them into sticks, and make a quick veggie dip out of the last of the sour cream. The last bit of lettuce would be great on sandwiches. Use up the last of the milk to make some pudding cups for the kids.

Freeze Leftovers

If you have a substantial amount of food left in the refrigerator that can't really be eaten on a road or plane trip, you might want to consider freezing it. This is especially true if you have a large amount of food you don't want to go to waste. This can be very beneficial in so many ways. One of the biggest benefits is that you will be spared from cooking a big meal right after you return home from your trip. The last thing you want to think about when you get home from vacation is what to feed everyone.

Most all food will freeze beautifully; however, there are some things that just don't work well in the freezer. Anything that has a potato or cream base does not thaw out well. This includes creamy soups, mashed potatoes, and the like. However, you can freeze just about anything else and reheat it for a new meal. Just remember to wrap the food tightly and label it with the contents and the date.

Thoroughly Clean the Fridge

Once you have dealt with the food, you should clean out the fridge completely. This may sound like a mundane thing to do before you leave for vacation, but it will pay off when you get home. Remove everything that will remain in the refrigerator, toss anything that will expire, and wipe down the shelves with soap and water. Also, remove the produce drawers and clean them well. Once everything is dry, place a small box of baking soda to absorb smells and put the rest of your refrigerator contents away.

Taking these few simple steps can not only save you some money on your grocery bill, but it can also alleviate some of the stress that comes along when you get home from your trip. Be sure to also take a look at your freezer and throw out anything that is past its prime or is unappetizing. For any questions about leaving your fridge unattended, talk to a professional like Arnold's Appliance.