Pantry & Freezer Cleaning

Just before it is time to start harvesting in the garden

I like to give my pantry and freezer a thorough cleaning.

This is pretty much an all day job but it is the best time to do it

as the freezer and pantry are at their lowest stocked points.

I start the day by unplugging the freezer 

and taking everything out and putting it in baskets.

I try to put like things together,

breads in one basket, veggies in another, meat in another, etc.

When I am done taking everything out

I leave the freezer and head over to start on the pantry.

I start by taking everything off one section and

wiping it down with a mild bleach solution.

While the one set of shelves is drying

I start taking things off the next section of shelving.

It is always handy to have a large garbage can nearby

to throw out any old items or packaging.

When I am about half done working my way around the pantry

it is usually time to head back to the freezer.

Once all the chunks of ice have fallen down

I scoop them out with a shovel.

I'm short and it's the easiest way for me to get them out - lol :)

I then wipe down the freezer with a very mild bleach solution,

rinse it and dry it.

As I put things back into the freezer I make a list of everything going in

with the quantity of each item.

When I am all finished I put the master sheets on top of the freezer

and as an item is added or removed I change the total on the sheet.

Once everything is all back in looking neat and tidy

it's time to plug it back in, shut the lid

and wipe down the outside.

Now it's all ready for the veggies that I will be freezing.

Then it's back to the pantry to finish the last half.

For some reason this side always seems to go a little quicker

but I don't mind.  By this time I just want to be done.

When the shelves are done I give the floor a good wipe down as well

and change and update any shelf labels that need it.

It's a wonderful feeling to have it done

and seeing those clean, empty shelves

just waiting for the canning from the garden.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!