Why Cleaning Out Your Refrigerator Matters — Through the Lens of Louis Wohl & Sons

At Louis Wohl & Sons, keeping your kitchen clean, organized, and safe isn’t just good hygiene — it’s smart business. As an established foodservice provider (serving Tampa Bay since 1897!), we know how much value the right practices, tools, and mindset can bring. Here’s our take on why this day matters — plus practical advice to help you maximize it.

1. Protect Food Safety A cluttered, disorganized walk-in or reach-in can hide forgotten containers, expired prep, or improperly stored ingredients. By routinely cleaning out, you drastically reduce the risk of spoilage or cross-contamination — which is fundamental to preserving food quality for your guests and staying compliant with safety standards.

2. Cut Down on Waste & Costs When your staff knows what’s in the fridge — and where it lives — it’s easier to use ingredients before they go bad. That means less spoilage, fewer write-offs, and more efficient use of your food budgets.

3. Boost Operational Efficiency An organized refrigerator helps everyone: chefs, line cooks, prep staff, and even dishwashers. With clearly divided zones for proteins, produce, sauces, and leftovers, your team can move more confidently and reduce time wasted searching for ingredients.

4. Maintain Energy Performance Overcrowded refrigerators force compressors and fans to work harder, driving up energy usage. A clean, well-organized interior helps maintain proper airflow and can prolong the life of your refrigeration units.

5. Reflects Your Professional Standards At Louis Wohl & Sons, we believe in building long-standing relationships founded on reliability, quality, and trust. A clean, well-maintained kitchen — including the fridge — reflects that same commitment to excellence.

How to Do a Foodservice-Grade Fridge Clean-Out: Step-by-Step Here’s a practical checklist tailored for foodservice teams working in commercial kitchens:

1. Plan & Empty

o Schedule a time when the fridge is “quiet” — ideally between prep and service.

o Remove all bins, containers, rail pans, and shelving if possible.*

2. Inspect & Sort

o Check every item: throw out anything expired, spoiled, or unsafe.

o Set aside items that are still good but may need to be repurposed or relocated.

o Use the “FIFO” (First In, First Out) principle: older items go to the front.

3. Deep Clean

o Take out shelves and drawers; wash with food-safe detergent and warm water.

o Wipe down all interior surfaces — walls, door seals, corners — using a mild sanitizer or a baking soda solution.

o Clean gaskets, handles, and any hard-to-reach crevices thoroughly.

4. Sanitize

o Apply a food-safe sanitizing spray or solution.

o Let it air dry or wipe with clean, lint-free towels.

o Consider placing an open box of baking soda in a corner to absorb odors.

5. Reorganize Thoughtfully

o Create “zones” for different product types (meat, dairy, sauces, prep, etc.).

o Use labeled bins or clear storage containers to group similar items.

o Reinstall rail pans or trays in a way that maximizes airflow and visibility.

6. Put Things Back Smartly

o Frequently used items should be accessible at eye level.

o Temperature-sensitive items (like proteins) should occupy the coldest parts of the fridge.

o Less frequently used or specialty items can go to less accessible areas — but still be clearly labeled.

7. Set a Maintenance Routine

o Schedule weekly “mini clean-outs” for spotting and discarding old items.

o Plan for deeper clean-outs monthly or quarterly, depending on your volume.

o Train staff on standards and labeling: encourage date labeling and clear bin usage to make future clean-outs smoother.

How Louis Wohl & Sons Can Help You Maintain an Organized, Efficient Cold Storage System

At Louis Wohl & Sons, we don’t just supply you with products — we partner with you to build smarter kitchens. Here’s how we can support your cold-storage strategy:

• Design + Planning Services

With decades of experience, we help you design refrigeration layouts that make sense for your volume, menu, and workflow. ** • Wide Product Variety**

In our 75,000 square foot warehouse / showroom, you’ll find thousands of tools, smallwares, bins, and refrigeration supplies to help you customize storage to your needs.

• Equipment & Smallwares

From sheet pans to storage bins to heavy-duty prep containers, we have the tools you need to keep your fridge organized, efficient, and safe.

• Customer Relationships Built to Last

With more than a century of service in the Tampa Bay area, our team understands the challenges local operators face — and how to help them best.

Make National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day Count — and Build Momentum

Rather than just a one-off clean, use today as a launch point:

• Talk with your team: highlight why this matters for safety, cost, and operations.

• Commit to a recurring schedule: whether weekly spot checks or monthly deep cleans.

• Use the opportunity to evaluate your storage tools — bins, labels, shelves — and reorder or upgrade as needed.

• Reach out to Louis Wohl & Sons if you want expert help designing or outfitting your cold-storage setup.

Ready to transform your kitchen’s cold-storage game?

Contact Louis Wohl & Sons today at (813) 985 8870 or visit our showroom at 11101 N 46th Street in Tampa. Let us help you build a clean, efficient fridge system — because when your storage works better, your whole operation runs smoother.