Declutter Diaries: Fridge and Freezer

By Y.M. Lowy

Welcome back to Declutter Diaries! Today, we’re tackling the dynamic duo of the kitchen: the fridge and freezer. A well-organized fridge and freezer keep everything you need within easy reach.

Organize This: 

1. Group Similar Items Together: In both the fridge and freezer, organize items by category. Keeping similar items together makes finding what you need quick and easy. For example, label dairy, condiments, drinks, leftovers, fruits, and veggie sections in the fridge. Label meats, vegetables, frozen meals, and dessert sections in the freezer. 

2. Use Clear Bins and Drawer Dividers: Clear storage bins keep small items contained and visible. Consider stackable bins in the freezer to maximize vertical space. For your fridge, bins can help organize fruits, vegetables, or deli meats more effectively.

3. Optimize the Door Shelves: The fridge door is the warmest spot, so use it for condiments, dressings, and other non-perishable items. Avoid storing milk or eggs here, as they require consistent cooling. In the freezer door, store smaller items like ice packs or ice cream bars.

4. Easy Access: Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach spots. Reserve the back areas for less frequently used items. Using shelf liners can help keep items from sliding around on the shelves.

5. Use the First-In, First-Out Rule (FIFO): Place newer items behind the older ones to ensure you first use up what you already have. This works for both the fridge and freezer and helps minimize food waste.

Did You Know?

Freezing food isn’t new. People have been preserving food with ice and snow for centuries! Early mechanical freezers were invented in the late 1800s, but home freezers didn’t become common until the 1940s.

Myth Busting:

Myth: You should freeze food at any temperature.

Reality: For food safety and quality, set your freezer to 0°F (-18°C). Freezing food at higher temperatures can cause ice crystals to form, which affects texture and taste!

One Item Purge Challenge:

Do you have a mystery bag of something unlabeled or that one frozen meal you swore you’d eat but never did? This week, your mission is to let go of one item that’s been lingering for too long. Make room for the things you use!

How Do You Do It?

Is your freezer stocked with prepped meals for those hectic days when cooking feels impossible, or do you cook as you go? What are your thoughts on store-bought frozen meals? 

Let us know in the comments below!