The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Rachel at Useful Beautiful Home.
Today completes my mini-series on freezer organization. I want to show you three options for labeling the containers inside your freezer. I’ll be the first to admit that not everyone needs or wants to label their frozen foods. However, for those of you who invested your time organizing this area and want to put your system to good use, a label never hurts.
When it comes to creating freezer friendly labels, they must be able to withstand the low temperatures and hold up to the inevitable wear and tear of daily use. I also find it helpful if the label is easy to spot in a typically crowded freezer. In other words, something larger than what a standard label maker can produce.
1. Print & laminate your own:
This is a tried and true labeling system I use on a regular basis. I love a cute label or a fancy font printed from a home computer and laminated for durability sake. I’ve done this many times and the freezer is another place to incorporate the same method. After the laminating is finished, I attach my homemade labels with velcro sticky dots.
This method is relatively inexpensive and once laminated it’s very durable, even in the cold temps of a kitchen freezer.
If you want to make printed labels reusable; print them blank (like you see above), laminate them, and then use a wet-erase marker to write the category. This allows you to change your mind as often as you want. No need to re-print labels when you can just wipe clean and re-write. Be sure to use a wet-erase marker (not permanent Sharpie) on the laminated surface.
2. Containers designed with their own label:
Next up is a rare kind of label. I’m talking about the kind of container labels that come pre-existing. I touched briefly on it last time when I organized my friend’s top-freezer (HERE). We utilized a simple system on the bottom shelf of her freezer which included bins that already contained labels on the front (see picture below).
For this container, you remove the plastic label shield and write in your category.
Between the price point and the pre-existing labels, these bins captured my organizing heart at first sight.
If they catch your eye too, they’re found HERE.
3. Peel and stick reusable labels:
Finally, purchasing self-adhesive labels are perfect for almost any freezer container. I grabbed a package of these (see below) the last time I visited The Container Store and am highly impressed!
They come in two different sizes, both showing your hand-written or computer designed label through a clear plastic pocket. Furthermore, they can be removed & reused elsewhere. That alone makes them stand apart from the average sticker label. White sticker labels can only be used once and leave a tacky mess behind if you choose to remove it. This Storage Identification System is highly versatile with it’s reusable capability and convenient pocket for easy-to-change labels!
They are quite handy for a large variety of labeling needs. I was leery at first to use them in a freezer situation, but the package claims they’re recommended for both temperature extremes. From the attic to the freezer, these may be my new labeling loves.
So far, they’re working great attached to my freezer bins. I haven’t noticed any curling at the edges or loss of adhesiveness.
All in all, it doesn’t matter what you use. Although not the best long-term solution, even a simple sticky note can do the trick in a pinch. The point is, if you want to maximize your freezer organizing efforts with labels, then by all means find a system that works for your needs and your budget.
However, if labeling your freezer containers adds more stress to your life, then flexibility is the key to keeping your freezer organized. Use general bins, containers, or baskets to get the job done in a less structured manner. We all have uniquely individual organizing goals. Keep your situational needs in mind and if it includes a good label, then find what works best for you. Hopefully the three I’ve outlined here will get you off to a good start!
You can catch up on past freezer posts HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
In the professional world, I’m a nurse by trade. But, around our house, I’m known as Mommy to our young daughter. My two worlds collided and began shaping into a blog. Useful Beautiful Home represents the hours I’ve dedicated to managing my household as efficiently as possible. I offer you motivation to keep your home healthy, organized, and welcoming. My goal is to share what I’ve implemented in my home to inspire you with fresh ideas and to encourage you to keep up the good work in yours!
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