9 storage mistakes that ruin food before you ever eat it

The way you store food can make or break how long it lasts. A lot of people blame the store for short shelf life when it’s really what happens once the groceries get home. Simple habits like where you place items in the fridge or how you store produce can mean the difference between food you enjoy and food that ends up in the trash.

Keeping Milk in the Door

The fridge door is the warmest spot, and milk spoils faster there.

It might feel convenient, but the constant opening and closing exposes it to temperature swings. Keep milk and other dairy on a middle shelf toward the back where it stays colder and lasts longer.

Storing Onions and Potatoes Together

Onions and potatoes don’t belong in the same bin.

Onions release gases that make potatoes sprout and rot faster. Keeping them separate in cool, dark, ventilated areas helps both last weeks longer.

Washing Produce Too Soon

Washing fruit and vegetables before storing can backfire.

Moisture encourages mold and bacteria, especially on berries and leafy greens. Instead, store them dry and wash only right before eating.

Using Plastic Bags for Everything

Plastic traps moisture and makes produce spoil faster.

Switching to breathable produce bags or glass containers keeps air circulating and prevents sogginess. This is especially important for greens and herbs.

Forgetting First-In, First-Out

Older food gets lost in the back of the fridge or pantry.

Without rotating items, you’ll end up with expired cans or moldy leftovers. Moving older items to the front makes it easy to see what needs to be eaten first.

Leaving Bread on the Counter

Bread stales quickly in open air.

The fridge isn’t ideal either—it makes bread dry out. Freezing extra loaves and pulling out slices as needed keeps bread fresh much longer.

Putting Tomatoes in the Fridge

Cold temps ruin tomato texture and flavor.

They do best at room temperature on the counter. Only refrigerate very ripe ones if you need to stall spoilage a day or two.

Ignoring Ethylene Gas

Fruits like apples, bananas, and avocados release ethylene gas.

This speeds ripening and spoils nearby produce. Store them separately, or use a designated bowl so they don’t shorten the life of other items.

Overpacking the Fridge

A packed fridge can’t circulate air properly.

That uneven cooling leads to spoiled food in hidden spots. Leaving a little space between items helps air flow and keeps everything fresher.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.