When I was working, Friday was always my favorite day of the week. Even better than Saturday!
Fridays came with the promise of a possible evening happy hour and a Saturday with no plans except a full tank of gas and a picnic basket.
And now, of course, every day is a Saturday.
Except my new favorite day of the week is Trash Day!
It’s a holiday, right?
On Trash Day Eve, I make all sorts of preparations for the big day. Then, bright and early Monday morning, I hear the trucks coming to cart off all my detritus. (You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to use that word.)
But Trash Day is actually a bit of work, and I thought you might find it helpful—and maybe even motivational—to know my internal checklist. It’s my little routine for reducing waste, making better use of what I already have, and getting the most out of those weekly bins.
Let’s get to it!
1. Vacuum: One Last Sweep
My goal (not always achieved) is to do one last whole-house vacuum on the night before Trash Day.
Between pet hair, Arizona dust, and sourdough toast crumbs, I can always count on an entire vacuum canister full of debris.
Emptying it right outside into the bin makes me feel productive and just a bit tidier. It’s a small thing, but it feels good to start the week with clean floors and an empty vacuum.
And yes, I consider this part of my Trash Day festivities. Don’t judge.
2. The Refrigerator: A Few Surprises Await
Oooh, full disclosure. I don’t even always open those produce drawers.
We are pretty good about eating our produce, but yikes! Those drawers can be one scary part of the refrigerator.
Trash Day is always a good motivator to venture in and clear out the unknown.
And, best-case scenario, use up whatever is still good.
Let’s face it. If I really wanted to prep all those vegetables, I would have done it by now. But I didn’t. And since I hate wasting food, it’s time to get creative and decide what I’m making with the ingredients that seemed like such a good idea during a previous grocery run.
Here is what I needed to use up this week:
- Tomatillos
- Bananas
- Peppers
Hmm. Any idea of a recipe that calls for all three? I couldn’t think of one either!
So I rolled up my sleeves and made:
- Salsa verde — a great way to use those tomatillos. [Link to recipe]
- One-bowl banana bread, gluten-free edition — because those bananas weren’t going to eat themselves. [Link to recipe]
- Pepper soup — inspired by SkinnyTaste.com, but simplified into a straightforward broth-based soup.
Three ingredients that might otherwise have gone to waste became three things we could enjoy. I’ll call that a Trash Day victory!
Pro tip: Cleaning out the refrigerator and stinking up the house may not be mutually exclusive. I roasted the peppers and tomatillos outside on the grill.
You’re welcome, Hub.
3. The Freezer: An Intervention May Be Needed
What goes in and out of our THREE freezers is really none of my business.
Hub is in charge of stocking, freezing, and choosing what he wants for dinner.
But (just between us, okay?) he isn’t particularly good at keeping things organized.
In fact, he just bought another giant bag of pistachio nuts because he didn’t know we already had an unopened bag in one of the freezers.
We are preparing for a very large pistachio emergency?
Oh, and we’ve reached that stage of life where we keep a few ice packs in the freezer for our afternoon joint relief. Those aren’t going anywhere!
So, while Hub was still abed early on Trash Day morning, I went through all three freezers and organized them.
I use plastic bins to keep meat and vegetables separated and make it easier to see what we have. The trick, of course, is to actually put things back where they belong.
I’m not pointing fingers.
If you have better and easier ideas for freezer maintenance, I’m all ears. Three freezers are a lot of territory to keep track of, and I’d love to hear what works for you.
The Trash Day Wrap-Up
And there you have it: my very glamorous Trash Day routine.
A vacuum canister emptied, a refrigerator checked, a few ingredients rescued, and three freezers given a little attention.
It’s not a deep clean. It’s not a reset. And nobody is handing out medals.
But I waste a little less, know a little more about what’s in my kitchen, and feel a bit more organized heading into the week.
Thank you for spending my favorite day of the week with me!
If you need a little inspiration to be productive before your own Trash Day, I hope this gives you a few ideas.
But I also hope you’re enjoying your weekend—and that it involves a full tank of gas and a picnic basket!
God bless, and I’ll see you next week.
