It’s tempting to toss almost everything into a plastic bag or container and call it a day. But plastic can trap moisture and limit airflow, leaving some foods soggy, slimy, moldy, or past their prime much sooner.
The way you store food can make a bigger difference than you might expect. Here are some everyday foods that tend to fare better with a little breathing room.
Bread
A loaf of bread can turn stale or moldy faster when sealed tightly in plastic. A paper bag gives it some airflow while still keeping the bread from drying out too quickly.
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Cheese
Cheese can sweat when it’s wrapped tightly in plastic, and all that trapped moisture can affect its texture and flavor. Wax paper or parchment paper gives the cheese room to breathe while helping keep it from drying out.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms can become slimy surprisingly fast inside a plastic container or bag. A paper bag is a better choice because it allows excess moisture to escape rather than trapping it around the mushrooms.
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Lettuce
There’s nothing appealing about opening the fridge and finding a bag of wilted, soggy lettuce. Wrap the lettuce loosely in a paper towel and keep it in a container that isn’t completely sealed so excess moisture has somewhere to go.
Onions
Plastic bags can trap moisture around onions, leaving them soft, moldy, or sprouted. Store onions in a mesh bag, basket, or another well-ventilated spot away from moisture.
Garlic
Garlic also needs good airflow to stay in good shape. Keep whole bulbs in a cool, dry place, such as a wire basket or a garlic keeper, rather than sealing them in plastic.
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Potatoes
A sealed plastic bag can trap moisture around potatoes, causing them to soften or sprout sooner than you’d like. A paper or burlap bag kept in a cool, dark, and dry place provides potatoes with better ventilation.
Berries
Berries are delicate, and trapped moisture can quickly lead to mold. Keep them in a shallow container lined with a paper towel, and avoid packing them too tightly so air can move around them.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers can turn soft and slimy when moisture gets trapped around them in a plastic bag. A paper towel can help absorb extra moisture while storing them in the crisper drawer.
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Tomatoes
Plastic can trap moisture and gases around tomatoes, which may cause them to become overripe faster. Keep ripe tomatoes at room temperature on the counter rather than sealing them inside a plastic bag.
Bananas
Bananas ripen fairly quickly, and a plastic bag can speed up the process by trapping the gases they naturally release. Keep them uncovered on the counter or hang them from a banana hook if you want to slow things down a bit.
Herbs
Fresh herbs such as cilantro and parsley can become limp and slimy when sealed tightly in plastic. Trim the stems, place the herbs in a glass of water, and loosely cover them with a plastic bag so they stay hydrated without being sealed tightly.
Apples
Apples may seem like they can handle almost anything, but sealing them in plastic can lead to moisture buildup and a loss of their crisp texture. According to Tuttle Orchards, apples keep longest when stored at about 31 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peppers
Plastic bags can trap moisture around peppers, causing them to soften and wrinkle sooner. Keep them in the crisper drawer where they have a better chance of staying firm and fresh.
Avocados
Wrapping avocados tightly in plastic can speed up ripening and cause the flesh to turn brown before you’re ready to use them. Once an avocado is ripe, store it in the refrigerator in a container or use beeswax wrap instead of tightly sealing it in plastic.
