10 Simple Hacks to Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh for Longer

If you’re not some kind of veggie/fruit wizard, you probably find yourself throwing out some of your produce because it spoiled too soon. But guess what? You don’t need to let your hard-earned groceries go to waste. With just a few easy tricks, you can make your produce last much longer, helping you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy fresh, delicious meals all week long.

Here are 10 simple, effective hacks to keep your fruits and veggies fresh for as long as possible.

1. Store Fruits and Vegetables Separately

Here’s the first big tip: don’t mix your fruits and veggies! Certain fruits, like apples, bananas, and avocados, produce ethylene gas, which can cause nearby vegetables to spoil faster. Keep fruits and veggies in separate drawers or containers in your fridge to avoid early wilting and mushy produce. 

Pro Tip: If you’ve got space, dedicate one drawer to fruits and one to vegetables. 

2. Use a Vinegar Wash for Berries

Berries are notorious for molding quickly, but there’s a super easy trick to keep them fresher for longer: give them a vinegar bath! Rinse your berries in a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water, then thoroughly dry them before storing. The vinegar helps kill off any mold spores, giving your berries a longer life in the fridge.

Pro Tip: Store washed berries in a container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.

3. Wrap Greens in a Damp Paper Towel

Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale can wilt faster than you’d like. To keep them crisp and fresh, wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel before storing them in a breathable bag or container. The paper towel helps maintain the right amount of moisture without making your greens soggy.

Pro Tip: Store them in the crisper drawer, and they’ll stay fresh and crunchy for much longer.

4. Store Potatoes in a Cool, Dark Place

Potatoes don’t do well in the fridge — the cold can cause them to turn starchy and lose flavor. Instead, store them in a cool, dark place (like a pantry or a cabinet). Keeping them away from onions is important, too, as onions release gases that make potatoes sprout faster.

Pro Tip: A breathable paper or mesh bag is perfect for storing potatoes.

5. Separate Your Bananas

Bananas are one of the biggest ethylene producers out there. If you want to slow down their ripening process, separate the bananas from the bunch. You can also wrap the stems with plastic wrap to slow down the release of ethylene gas.

Pro Tip: Keep bananas on the counter until they ripen, then pop them in the fridge to extend their shelf life.

6. Store Celery in Aluminum Foil

If you’ve ever had limp, lifeless celery, this trick will change the game. Wrap your celery stalks tightly in aluminum foil and store them in the fridge. The foil allows just enough moisture to escape while keeping the stalks crisp.

Pro Tip: This works for other high-moisture veggies like cucumbers and zucchini, too!

7. Use Glass Jars for Herbs

Fresh herbs can wilt within days if not stored properly. One of the best ways to keep them fresh is to trim the stems and place them in a glass jar with a little water, just like flowers. Cover the jar with a plastic bag and store it in the fridge. Your herbs will stay fresh for up to two weeks this way.

Pro Tip: Change the water every few days to keep the herbs fresh longer.

8. Keep Apples in the Fridge

While apples can be stored at room temperature, they’ll last much longer when kept in the fridge. Apples are ethylene producers, so store them in a separate fridge drawer away from veggies to avoid causing premature spoilage.

Pro Tip: If you like your apples crisp, keep them in the crisper drawer for maximum freshness.

9. Store Mushrooms in a Paper Bag

Mushrooms don’t like moisture. If you leave them in plastic packaging or a container, they can turn slimy pretty quickly. Transfer them to a paper bag to keep them dry and fresh for longer.

Pro Tip: Leave the bag slightly open for air circulation, and avoid storing mushrooms next to strong-smelling foods — they’re like sponges when it comes to odors.

10. Use an Ethylene Absorber

For an all-around solution, use an ethylene absorber in your fridge. These small, easy-to-use packets help soak up the ethylene gas that causes fruits and veggies to ripen and spoil too quickly. It’s one of the simplest ways to prolong freshness across all your produce.

Pro Tip: Keep an ethylene absorber like Blumi in your fridge for maximum freshness and fewer trips to the grocery store!

Why These Hacks Matter

These small changes can have a huge impact. By taking a little extra care with how you store your produce, you’ll not only extend its life but also reduce food waste and save money. Plus, having fresh fruits and veggies on hand means more delicious meals, fewer grocery runs, and a healthier fridge overall.