The One Thing You’re NOT Doing with Your Paper Towels (But Should Be)

Updated: Apr. 19, 2024

Paper towels belong in your refrigerator. Surprised? Hear us out!

We’re used to reaching for these handy helpers for spills. But they’re more versatile than a person might think! Whether it’s patting chicken dry to get super crispy skin, or seasoning a cast-iron skillet, paper towels come to the rescue in different ways.

Now, as our gardens will soon flood with produce, we’re looking for ways to keep all the leafy greens and plump zucchini from going bad. It turns out paper towels can even help you keep your vegetables fresh!

(Psst! We found the best paper towel brand.)

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What Do I Have to Do?

It’s pretty simple—all you have to do is line your crisper drawer with paper towels before you tuck your produce in there. Then, replace the paper towel every time you put in a new batch of produce. This makes sure your vegetables stay fresher longer. It keeps the crisper drawer clean, too.

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How Does This Work?

Lots of fruits and vegetables, including kale and zucchini, release water after they’re stored. This moisture has nowhere to go and stays in the crisper drawer, and you end up with sad, brown produce. The paper towels absorb the moisture, making sure you never have to deal with limp kale leaves again. Now, you’ll have plenty of fresh veg on hand to make all kinds of summer salads.

It’s important to remember to change out the paper towels frequently, otherwise they’ll go limp from the absorbed moisture and fall apart.

For more secrets about keeping things fresh, check out the 13 foods you should never eat past their expiration date.

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