Various embodiments for scrubbing data within a data storage subsystem are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for scrubbing data of a storage element within a data storage subsystem, the method comprising: selecting a storage element from the plurality of storage events; determining that a quantity of active data has reached a predetermined quantity threshold; and temporarily suspending data modifications on a portion of the selected storage element while maintaining read access to the selected storage element in response to the determination.