1. Purge These 6 Items from Your Freezer Immediately
Target Article:
Hi there! Whether you're a seasoned kitchen organizer or embarking on your annual spring cleaning, don't forget about your freezer. It may not get the attention it deserves, but giving it a good clean-out is crucial. Below, we share six things you should declutter from your freezer, plus tips from experts like nutrition coach Whitney Cardosi, professional organizer Shantae Duckworth, and home economics expert Allie Echeverria.
1. Mystery Items
Whitney Cardosi recommends tossing out any "mystery items" in your freezer. This includes anything unlabeled or with visible freezer burn. To avoid this issue in the future, use a permanent marker to label and date your containers before putting them in the freezer.
2. Expired Food
Decluttering expired food from your freezer might seem obvious, but it's easy to overlook. When going through your freezer, check for fruits, meats, desserts, and even ice that have passed their expiration date. Professional organizer Shantae Duckworth suggests removing all items during the clean-out process, placing the oldest ones up front to ensure they get used first.
3. Almost-Finished Cartons of Ice Cream
Leftover ice cream can take up valuable freezer space, so feel free to indulge in those close-to-finished cartons of cookie dough or other treats. Check the back of your freezer for forgotten popsicles or old ice cream tubs, and consider using up bulky ingredients or donating them if unopened.
4. Bulk Buys
Decluttering doesn't always mean throwing things away. Sometimes, it simply means prioritizing certain items so they get used before they expire. Registered dietitian Allie Echeverria suggests repurposing ingredients rather than throwing them out, like freezing cooked fruits or vegetables for smoothies or baking.
5. Non-Food Items
Don't forget to declutter your freezer of non-food items. Inspect ice packs for damage and replace them as necessary, keeping only one or two sets in the freezer at a time.
6. Old Food Storage Containers
Just like food, food storage containers have a lifespan. If you notice any containers cracking or warping, it's time to toss them and invest in new ones.
Enrichment Data:
- Lettuce, Mayonnaise, Fruit Jelly, Jell-O, Hard-boiled Eggs, and Canned Goods: Freezing these items may alter their texture, taste, or even cause damage to the container. Store them in the fridge instead for the best results.
- Spices: Freezing spices can affect their flavor, making them stronger, strange-tasting, or losing their aroma altogether. Store spices at room temperature to maintain their freshness.
Incorporating decluttering tips from RealSimple, you might consider removing outdated spice packs during your home freezer cleanup, as freezing spices can negatively impact their flavor. Additionally, while organizing your home freezer, don't forget to get rid of any excess, old, or damaged plastic containers that are no longer safe for storing food.
