Many types of bacteria thrive in normal room temperatures, and it's only a matter of time before they contaminate food if you don't seal the food or place it inside the refrigerator; so, having no refrigerator in the house is as much a waste of food as it is a waste of natural resources. Make sure, then, that your refrigerator is working in top condition by cleaning and maintaining it on a regular basis. You don't have to wash it everyday or even every week, but just often enough to keep the compartment clean and the refrigerator ...