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Cleaning Out the Forgotten Freezer
We think of cleaning out the garage, or maybe the basement… definitely the fridge (hello, leftovers). But what about the freezer? That mysterious, frosty cavern where things go to die.
I’ve gotten a lot better about not stuffing mine full of things we don’t use, but I still need a reminder now and then. One of my favorite tools is a household planner that gives me one simple project a week. This week? The freezer.
So if you’re feeling brave, grab a dish towel and join me in the adventure into the unknown. You might just save a little money in the process.
Tip one is setting aside time to actually do these “odd jobs” like cleaning the freezer. I don’t always remember or have the energy to think about it, so I let the planner do the remembering for me. Just one task a week is manageable, and it feels like progress without overwhelm.
Tip two is to swap fresh produce for frozen when it makes sense. Frozen veggies don’t spoil, don’t need to be washed, and are often flash frozen at their peak ripeness—making them super convenient and nutrient-rich. My go-to frozen produce? Corn, broccoli, fine green beans, and berries. I also love using frozen fruit in smoothies instead of ice. It makes them creamier and gives them a better flavor.
And here’s a big reason why: Nearly 40% of all food in America is wasted, and one of the top culprits is spoiled produce. Keeping frozen options on hand helps cut back on that significantly—both in waste and cost.
Tip three might surprise you. There are more items than you’d expect that store well in the freezer: coffee, nuts, and flour, for example. Coffee keeps its flavor longer, nuts don’t go rancid, and flour stays fresher, especially whole wheat or almond flour. The USDA even notes that freezing extends shelf life without sacrificing safety or quality for most dry goods.
Tip four is about meat. Some seasons in life call for stocking up, especially when you find marked-down meat that needs to be sold within 24 hours. But it only saves money if you actually use it. I know someone who refuses to freeze meat because she never remembers to thaw it in time, and it just adds stress when trying to plan dinner. For us, we only freeze extra meat when we know it’ll be used soon. One tip we love is using frozen chicken breasts that are individually wrapped—we just cut them open and toss them straight into the crockpot. We also keep ground turkey in the freezer and take it out the night before to make meatballs. The goal is no friction—just easy access to meals.
Tip five: organizing bins aren’t just for toys and closets. Add a couple to your freezer to keep categories together—like one for beef, one for veggies, one for fruit. It keeps things from piling up and getting lost in the back. Considering that the average American family throws away about $1,500 a year in uneaten food, anything that helps you see and use what you already have is a financial win.
Tip six is for nursing moms. Breastmilk bags can get chaotic fast, but if you slide them into labeled gallon freezer bags, it helps you keep things in order. You’ll always be able to find what you need quickly—and it makes the whole freezer look a little more peaceful.
Tip seven is to give yourself a three-month rule. I love a good deal, but I’ve learned not to buy more than I can realistically use in the next three months. According to the FDA, frozen foods can remain safe indefinitely, but quality starts to drop significantly around the 2–3 month mark for many items. Sticking to that window helps your food taste better and keeps your freezer manageable.
And when it’s time to clean? Less is more. Just grab a microfiber cloth and a bottle of Dawn Powerwash. That’s all you need. No harsh chemicals, no fancy sprays. Just simple, fresh, and done.
There’s something really satisfying about taking control of a small space like the freezer. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and the payoff is instant—you can actually see the back of the shelf again. So here’s to small wins and colder treasures.
Always,
Rach
Rachel Redlin is a columnist, author, journalist, and award-winning radio host. She lives in Northwest Kansas with her husband and five children, where she writes about faith, food, and the simple everyday life. Want to read more or contact us? You can subscribe to the FREE newsletter at www.simplybloominggrace.com
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