Berries should be removed from plastic containers as soon as you get home
Katherine McPhillips and Talya Honebeek Content Editor – Spare Time
03:16, 23 Mar 2026
Keep your berries fresh by taking one extra step(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
There’s nothing quite like fresh strawberries and blueberries for breakfast, whether you prefer them with yoghurt or scattered atop a generous stack of pancakes. Unfortunately, these berries have an unfortunate tendency to go off within just a few days of purchase, and there’s nothing more disappointing than nearly biting into mouldy and fuzzy fruit.
It might seem sensible to keep berries in the supermarket packaging they arrive in, but plastic tends to trap moisture within the container, which promotes mould spores and bacteria. Berries naturally release moisture, and if the water can’t evaporate, it can cause strawberries and blueberries to start deteriorating and turn into a mushy mess. Danielle Walker, a cookbook author and founder of Against All Grain, says preserving berries takes only five to 10 minutes – as all you need to do is wash them and use a paper towel.
She said: “It’s simple really: just give them a quick bath in a vinegar and water solution the moment you get them home, dry them, and place them in a clean container lined with paper towels.”
Berries will deteriorate rapidly due to moisture and exposure to mould spores, but investing a few minutes to store them correctly can extend their life by almost two weeks.
Berries tend to spoil quickly if you store them in plastic packaging(Image: Getty)
Vinegar helps stop berries from spoiling because it’s naturally antibacterial and will eliminate any spores that might already be present in a strawberry or blueberry container. Paper towels may appear straightforward, but they’re the most effective way to preserve berries, as they’ll soak up any surplus moisture from the fruit and eliminate any condensation, reports the Express.
Keeping berries away from plastic and as dry as you can is crucial to prolonging their shelf life, allowing you to savour plenty of fresh fruit this spring without wasting any of your grocery shopping.
Danielle added: “This method can make them last as long as 10 days in our house! Voilà , that is how you keep berries fresh longer.”
How to store strawberries and blueberries correctly
To start, fill a large mixing bowl with cold water, then add two tablespoons of vinegar. White vinegar is ideal for washing berries, though apple cider vinegar works well too.
These vinegars won’t impact the flavour of the berries when diluted in water, but other varieties, such as balsamic or red wine, are too potent and will leave the berries with an unpleasant aftertaste.
All you need to do is wash your berries with vinegar to get rid of any mould spores(Image: Getty)
Allow the berries to soak for at least five minutes, but try not to exceed 10 minutes. Soaking them briefly will clean them thoroughly, but prolonged exposure can damage their delicate skin and leave them mushy.
After the time has elapsed, drain the berries in a colander and then pat them dry with paper towels. Ensure they’re completely dry before refrigerating them.
Line a food storage container with a few paper towels, then add your berries. Don’t seal the container with a lid; simply place paper towels on top instead. Keeping berries without a lid allows more moisture to escape from the container, ensuring they remain as dry as possible. Replace the paper towel on top if it appears damp, and the berries should stay fresh for 10 days or longer.
When the time has elapsed, drain the berries in a colander and pat them dry with paper towels. Ensure they are thoroughly dry before placing them in the fridge.
Put a few paper towels inside a food storage container, then add your berries. Do not cover the container with a lid; instead, simply place paper towels on top.
Keeping berries without a lid allows more moisture to escape from the container, ensuring they remain as dry as possible. Replace the paper towel on top if it appears damp, and the berries should stay fresh for 10 days or longer.