18 ways you're storing groceries wrong that are cutting down their shelf life

Marilyn La JeunesseMay 29, 2020, 20:28 IST

Chances are you're storing some foods wrong.Chris Hondros/Getty

There are certain storage techniques that can make everything from produce to bread last longer.
Fruit shouldn't be washed before you store it in the fridge, and milk and eggs should never be kept in the refrigerator door.
Highly gaseous produce items, like bananas, avocados, and apples, should be stored away from each other and other fruits and veggies.
Tomatoes, onions, and garlic shouldn't be stored in the fridge.
The freezer is a great storage option for bread and uncooked meats.

Rummaging through your fridge to find that the "fresh" produce you bought earlier that week has gone bad can be disappointing. Luckily, there are ways to hack your way to fresher, longer-lasting groceries.

Here are some of the best ways to store your food for optimal freshness.

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Treat herbs like flowers by keeping them hydrated.

Plant herbs in water. marcin jucha/Shutterstock

The acid from citrus fruits can help preserve other fruit slices.

A little lemon juice can help keep avocados from browning quickly. Boontoom Sae-Kor/Shutterstock

Keep unripe avocados out of the fridge.

Avocados can be tricky to store. iStock/Getty Images

Don't wash produce before storing it in the fridge.

Added moisture speeds up the decaying process. PAKULA PIOTR/Shutterstock

Certain produce items need to be stored separately from one another.

Some fruits and veggies shouldn't be stored together. Sean Gallup/ Getty Images

Keep celery fresh by storing it in aluminum foil.

Celery in foil can stay crisp for a week. Shutterstock/mama_mia

Tomatoes should be stored differently depending on their freshness.

You shouldn't keep tomatoes in the fridge. iStock

Berries are especially susceptible to moisture damage.

Berries can last longer than you think. iStock

Cheese shouldn't be tightly wrapped in plastic or tin foil.

Opt for cheese paper or wax paper instead. Shutterstock

Dairy belongs on the middle or bottom shelf of the fridge.

Don't store milk in the door of the fridge. Daniel Goodman / Business Insider (modified by Tanya Lewis)

Eggs belong on the shelf of your fridge, not in the door.

Eggs need consistent temperatures. thatadon phusitphiyanan/Shutterstock

Keep your meat in the freezer.

Meat can only be stored in the fridge for a few days. LADO/Shutterstock

Don't store your coffee in the freezer.

Coffee beans don't belong in the freezer. Noor Khamis / Reuters

Leafy greens should be stored with paper towels.

Leafy greens like kale have a relatively short shelf life. stacey_newman / iStock

Ginger is easy to keep fresh.

Ginger can last a long time if you know how to store it. nattul/Shutterstock

Never store bread in the fridge.

The fridge can turn bread stale. Caroline Cakebread/Business Insider

Keep pineapples out of the fridge.

Whole pineapples don't belong in the fridge. HisWondrousWorks/iStock

Mushrooms are best kept in the fridge.

They'll stay fresher for longer when cold. iStock

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