Freezers are one of those spots that tend to get overlooked during routine cleaning and decluttering. One day you’re looking for that salmon you just bought and realized you have a bag of peas from (checks watch) about four years ago. Because frozen items naturally have a longer shelf life, it can be tricky to know what to toss from your freezer. Our list will help you figure out what’s got to go, and what can stay.
Messy Open Packages
Any opened packages that are making a mess, like frozen peas spilling out or frozen blueberries that are seeping juices, need to go, says Rochelle Wilkinson, professional cleaner and owner of Dirt Detective Cleaning. If the item still has some life left, then clean up the mess and place it in a freezer-safe, spill-proof container.
Any non-expired items you no longer want or need can be donated or composted. If there’s freezer burn, mold, or the item’s past its due date you can discard.
Old Ice
Yep, even ice has an expiration date. “Ice takes on the smells of other items kept in the freezer,” explains Logan Taylor, a cleaning professional and founder of The Dazzle Cleaning Company. “The simple solution: toss your ice and enjoy starting fresh.” This is also a great time to wash your ice bins, trays, and other various ice holding containers.
Expired or Unused Foods
Wilkinson says anything that’s past its expiration date, or is an item you bought a while back and know you’ll never use, should be tossed from the freezer. If you cannot find an expiration date, then take a look at the quality. If it’s got freezer burn, everything’s frozen into one giant block, or there’s excessive ice buildup inside the packaging, those are all signs that the food has likely been sitting in your freezer for too long.
Have an assortment of leftovers? Maybe tonight’s the night you finally re-heat and enjoy. You can also get creative by combining smaller portions of vegetables, proteins, and other ingredients into a hearty soup.
Nearly Empty Containers
Unless you know you’re going to use something within the next few days, it’s best to nix nearly empty containers and/or consolidate. This frees up space for new, fresh items. Think ice cream cartons with just a scoop left, bags containing a handful of frozen vegetables, or bulky boxes with only one or two items remaining.
Mystery Items
That one thing that’s sat in the freezer forever and you have no clue what the contents are? It’s time to say goodbye. “If you're not quite sure what it is or how long it’s been there—or even possibly where they came from—then toss them,” Taylor says.
Wilkinson adds that she once pulled out frozen bananas for a protein shake only to realize, post-blending-it was a tamale a friend had made for her. She says, “They look the same frozen. Tamales and yogurt do not make a good smoothie.”
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
