A system and method is disclosed for using data blocks to optimize file storage in electronic data storage. An example method includes storing data objects in a storage service that correspond to a main block and multiple secondary blocks. The main block is stored in a first bucket and the secondary blocks are stored in one or more second buckets, with the main block including metadata indicating a unique identifier of the second bucket. The method further includes receiving a request to delete the data file to free storage; marking the main block of the data file for deletion that prevents a reading operation or a writing operation of additional data to the data file; deleting the secondary blocks of the data file; and after the secondary blocks are deleted, deleting the marked main block of the data file.