When you go to the store, you probably place your fruits and vegetables in the plastic produce bags. Those are great for transporting your produce home from the store. However, if you want your fresh fruits and vegetables to last longer, most of them should be taken out of the plastic bags as soon as you get home. Ethylene gas, which is a naturally occurring gas, can build up inside the bags. When that happens, you'll notice that your food goes bad faster than it should. Here are four steps you can take to extend the shelf life of your fruits and vegetables.

Drag Out the Old Pantyhose

If you're going to be storing your onions, don't store them with the rest of your produce. Instead, put a pair of old pantyhose to good use. This simple method will help keep your onions fresh. Place one onion in the pantyhose. Tie a knot to secure the onion. Place another onion in the pantyhose and tie another knot. Continue filling the pantyhose with onions. Be sure to tie a knot after each onion. Once you have the onions secured, hang the pantyhose from the ceiling of your pantry or broom closet.

Flood Your Greens

If you're tired of you're lettuce wilting and turning to slime before you've had the chance to eat it, you're probably storing it wrong. Take your lettuce out of the produce bag and place it in a plastic storage bowl. Fill the bowl with cold water and place the cover on the bowl. Your lettuce will stay fresh.

Clean Those Berries

Berries should be cleaned as soon as you get them home. Remove the berries from their containers and rinse them off with fresh water. Next, fill a spray bottle with water and add about 1 cup of vinegar. Spray your berries with the solution and allow them to sit for a few minutes. Rinse them with fresh water and place them in a storage container. Cover the container and place them in the refrigerator.

Freeze Your Herbs

If you've got herbs that you want to keep fresh, get them prepped and ready to go before you put them away. Dice your herbs like you would for your favorite recipes. Place the herbs in ice trays, filling each individual ice slot with herbs. Pour olive oil over the herbs and place the ice trays in your freezer. When you need your herbs, simply remove one of the pre-made herb cubes.

When it comes to keeping your fruits and vegetables fresh, you want to forego your plastic produce bags. The simple storage tips provided here will help your produce stay fresh longer. Be sure to recycle your produce bags the next time you go to the grocery store. To learn more, contact a company like KNF Corporation.