2020-04-01 Real Simple

FOR TOP FREEZERS

These freezers usually come with a horizontal

shelf dividing the space in half. Use that visual

separation to help you create zones, and be

diligent about maintaining them. Don’t go

overboard—stick to a few easy-to-remember

categories, like leftovers and premade meals,

frozen fruits and veggies, and meats. If your

freezer doesn’t have a shelf, add your own

to prevent teetering towers of frozen goods.

TO BUY: Large Shelf, $11; closetmaid.com.

FOR CHEST FREEZERS

You use this type of freezer with the best of

intentions...but then that value pack of chicken

thighs gets lost in a frosty black hole and goes

to waste. To avoid frustration, sort food by type—

all veggies in one bag, all meat in another—so

you can lift the entire thing up and out. Since a

chest can hold much more food than a traditional

freezer, keep track of items by jotting your

inventory on the door with a dry-erase marker.

TO BUY: Simply Green Solutions Reusable Grocery

Tote Bags, $20 for 10; amazon.com.

OUR EXPERTS

JAMIE HORD, FOUNDER OF HORDERLY

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING

ANN LIGHTFOOT AND KATE PAWLOWKSI,

FOUNDERS OF DONE & DONE HOME

KATRINA TEEPLE, FOUNDER OF

OPERATION ORGANIZATION

KENDALL WILSON, FOUNDER OF

PUT TOGETHER PLACE

KEEP IT UP

Set a reminder on

your phone calendar

to do a quick

clean-out of your

freezer once

a month.

THE REALIST

48 REAL SIMPLE APRIL 2020

0420ORG.V1.indd 48 FINAL 2/20/20 10:16 AM