There’s nothing worse than spending a ton of money at the grocery store on healthy produce just to discover that it has gone bad before you had a chance to eat it. What’s worse: Spoiled food can cause mold to grow in your home, causing a health hazard for you and your family.

But you’re already storing food in the refrigerator – What more can you do to preserve your food?

Don’t worry! The experts at RestoPros did the research for you. Here are 4 food preservation tips:

1. Make sure your refrigerator is set at the right temperature

You might have pulled out a brand-new carton of milk to discover it had spoiled. How did this happen? While reaching into your fridge one day, you might have accidentally nudged the dial that controls the temperature of your refrigerator. Check the dial to ensure that your refrigerator is keeping your food at the right temperature. It should be cooling at 40 degrees or lower, while your freezer should be set at zero degrees.

2. Store food in air-tight containers

Leftovers are a great way to save money during the week – and time! Who wants to cook dinner every single night after they get home from work? Consider this though: Are your food containers letting in bacteria that could lead to mold? Confirm that your lids are fully sealed when storing leftovers and mark them with the day’s date. If you notice mold forming in the container, even after ensuring the lid was completely closed, purchase air-tight containers moving forward.

3. Don’t wash your produce before storing it

Sounds counterproductive, right? With dangerous pesticides and chemicals that could be lurking on your strawberries, it’s important to wash them before eating them! But: You don’t have to run water over your produce before storing it. In fact, doing so can cause water droplets to collect and mold between the leaves and inside crevices. Only wash your produce right before preparing it to be served to keep it fresh.

4. Keep commonly used items in the front of the fridge

Organizing your refrigerated foods like this enables you to open the door and simply grab what you need. This way, you won’t have to keep the door open for long periods of time while you rummage around in the back to find what you’re looking for. Leaving the refrigerator door open can release the cool air that preserves your food and cause it to spoil.

With these tips, you can keep your food lasting longer and stop mold from forming in your refrigerator or pantry. Enjoy a well-preserved snack for all your hard work!

Should you discover mold anywhere in your home, however, it’s important to have it inspected by professionals who are familiar with the substance as well as skilled in its remediation. RestoPros has been inspecting, removing and remediating mold for years, keeping our customers and their families safe. Call the number at the top of the screen to schedule your mold removal appointment today.