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National Clean Out Your Fridge Day

Time to tackle those leftovers and forgotten condiments! Today is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day - make room for new meals and snacks!

Sunday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATENovember 15

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYLifestyle

SUBCATEGORYCleaning

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to show your fridge some love on National Clean Out Your Fridge Day, which takes place every year on November 15! This day was created to remind us all of the importance of keeping our fridges clean and organized. It's also a great opportunity to use up any food that may be lingering in there for too long. So take out all those old leftovers, empty jars and expired condiments - it's time for a much needed deep clean!

TIMELINE

National Clean Out Your Fridge Day Timeline

Modern Refrigerator Invented

Fred W. Wolf invents the first commercially viable electric refrigerator, known as the "Domelre," initiating a new era of food storage.

General Electric Monitors

General Electric introduces the "Monitor-Top" fridge, marking the introduction of more modern design in fridges leading to widespread American adoption.

Fridge Ownership Increases

By the 1950s, most middle-class American households owned a refrigerator, contributing to the need for regular fridge cleanings.

Advent of Leftovers

The trend of preparing food in large quantities for future meals, or "leftover culture," begins to rise amid busy modern lifestyles.

First Clean Out Your Fridge Day

The first National Clean Out Your Fridge Day is celebrated, encouraging households to prioritize cleanliness and reduce food waste in their fridges.

Centers for Disease Control Warning

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) releases publication on importance of refrigerator cleanliness to prevent foodborne illnesses, underlining the importance of the day.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Clean Out Your Fridge Day

Gather all your food

Take out all of the food from your fridge, so that you can get a better look at what you have. This is also a great opportunity to take inventory of what you need and what you already have.

CLEAN

Clean the shelves

Give the shelves of your fridge a good scrubbing, making sure to remove any dirt or debris. This will help ensure that your food is stored in a safe and clean environment.

ORGANIZE

Organize the contents

Once your shelves are clean, start organizing the food you've taken out. Group items together like fruits and vegetables, dairy products, condiments, etc.

THROW

Throw out expired items

Go through each item carefully and throw out anything that has expired or gone bad. It's best to be realistic about what you will actually use and not keep something just because it's still edible.

RESTOCK

Restock with fresh groceries

Now that your fridge is clean and organized, restock it with fresh groceries! Make sure to check expiration dates on items as you purchase them so that nothing goes bad in the near future.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Clean Out Your Fridge Day

It keeps your fridge clean

Nobody likes a messy fridge. Regularly cleaning out your fridge not only promotes healthy eating habits, but it also reduces the risk of spoilage due to outdated food. So don't wait - take advantage of this holiday and give your refrigerator some much needed TLC!

It saves you money

When was the last time you checked what's inside your refrigerator? Chances are, you have some expired food hiding in there. Cleaning out your fridge on National Clean Out Your Fridge Day will save you money by minimizing waste, and help ensure that all your food is fresh and safe to eat.

It makes meal planning easier

Cleaning out your fridge before planning meals for the week makes it easier to make smart decisions about which ingredients mix best together and which items need to be used up first. Plus, taking inventory of your refrigerator helps prevent repeated trips to the grocery store because you’ll know exactly what you have on hand!