Stop using a bread bin when one simple method 'extends shelf life by a week'

Bread is a staple in many homes, but it's a race against time to finish the loaf before takes over. Many of us end up chucking out stale and mould-speckled slices because we've not stored them right. But can breathe a sigh of relief as the Wheeldon Brothers reveal a nifty food storage trick that promises to keep your bread fresher for weeks instead of mere days.

The waste reduction gurus are encouraging Brits to ditch traditional bread bins and stick with the original packaging – with a twist or two. "Bread is one of the most frequently wasted foods in UK households," said a spokesperson from Wheeldon Brothers.

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They continued: "But by making a few simple adjustments, like controlling moisture and temperature, you can extend its life and reduce the amount that ends up in the bin."

It's a shocking fact that nearly 11 million loaves are binned daily across the UK, yet with savvy storage, these could have been savoured instead of scrapped, reports .

How to store bread

Pre-sliced bread often lasts an age and then goes off overnight, while artisanal loaves like sourdough go stale just hours after cutting.

For those buying bread in bags, the Wheeldon Brothers have a quirky tip: pop a stick of celery in there. "This lesser-known method could extend the shelf life of a loaf by up to a week", they claim.

Waste experts have revealed that celery can be a bread's best friend, as it emits moisture which keeps the loaf from becoming dry without promoting mould growth.

Storing bread in the fridge alongside celery sticks can help maintain its freshness and softness due to the cool conditions. However, they advise against using completely airtight packaging for bread storage. The Wheeldon Brothers recommend poking small holes in bread bags instead.

This hack, widely shared online, involves making tiny incisions in the bread bag to let moisture out, thus preventing condensation and reducing the chances of mould.

"Moisture trapped in a sealed bag creates the perfect environment for mould to grow," the experts pointed out.

They added: "Making a few small holes helps reduce that risk - just be careful not to overdo it, or the bread will dry out too quickly."

Bread bags, such as those made from cheesecloth, should have small holes or perforations to allow air circulation within the packaging. Alternatively, placing bread in an airtight container before refrigerating it is another method suggested by the experts.

Using an airtight container provides an additional defence against external moisture and fridge smells, according to the spokesperson.

"Keeping the bread in its original bag and placing it inside a container with a tight-fitting lid is a great way to keep it fresher for longer."