From leftovers to bags of prepared food ready to be cooked—and of course, ice cream—what would we do without our freezers? The problem is, these spaces often become a dumping ground for leftovers and anything we don’t want to eat right away, as well as items that either don’t belong there or could even be unsafe. From food to things TikTok told you to stash in the cold (but you definitely shouldn’t), here are five things you should never keep in your freezer.
Glass Mason Jars
Having more homemade pesto sauce than you know what to do with is a real problem, but storing it in a glass jar or certain Mason jars in your freezer could create an even bigger one. Glass containers, including pasta sauce jars and Mason jars, can crack in the cold. This not only ruins your special sauce but could also cause injury.
While some Mason jars are designed for freezer use (it’s usually noted on the original packaging), most aren’t, so don’t take the risk.
Carbonated Beverages and Canned Drinks
You might be tempted to put that warm can of sparkling water in your freezer to cool it down, but this isn’t a good idea. If you accidentally forget about it, it could even be dangerous. “Carbonated drinks expand in the freezer, which means these drinks can easily explode,” warns Jessica Litman of The Organized Mama. “Store in a fridge and just add ice.”
Batteries
Your parents—or maybe even your grandparents—probably kept batteries in the freezer. But according to Duracell, this is a bad idea. “We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. You’ll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended.”
Makeup or Beauty Products
Freezing your makeup or beauty products can alter their texture, especially those formulated with oils. It can also make certain products unsafe to use, as the added moisture can promote the growth of bacteria or even mold.
Most products are designed to be kept in cool, dark places. So skip the freezer and treat yourself to a beauty fridge designed for this purpose—or use your regular refrigerator, if you must.
Electronics or Tech Devices
It sometimes happens on a hot day: we leave our phones out in the heat for too long, and they temporarily shut off. But the right move is to place them in the shade or indoors, not in the freezer. Electronic devices aren’t cheap and contain delicate components. A sudden temperature change can cause damage, and freezing temperatures can also affect battery performance and reduce its lifespan.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-not-to-store-in-freezer-GettyImages-1182170375-e1b10da8f91444409a92141f82da569e.jpg?ssl=1&description=These+5+Things+Should+Never+Be+Stored+in+the+Freezer%E2%80%94Here%E2%80%99s+Why){kind=link}