With grocery prices continuing to put pressure on household budgets, throwing away spoiled food can feel like money straight into the bin.

The good news? A few simple food storage tricks can help keep your groceries fresher for longer, reduce food waste and save you money each week.

From bananas and strawberries to milk and bread, here’s how to make your supermarket shop go further.

Store milk in the coldest part of the fridge

Milk can spoil surprisingly quickly if it’s not stored correctly.

Many people keep milk in the fridge door, but experts recommend storing it on a shelf towards the back of the fridge where temperatures remain colder and more consistent.

Some people also swear by adding a small pinch of salt to help extend freshness, although proper refrigeration remains the most effective way to keep milk from spoiling.

The surprising way to store onions

Onions last longest when they’re kept cool, dry and well ventilated.

One old-fashioned trick is to store onions in clean pantyhose or stockings, tying a knot between each onion. This prevents moisture build-up and allows air to circulate around each one.

Alternatively, a mesh bag or open basket stored in a cool pantry works just as well.

Just remember not to store onions next to potatoes, as the gases they release can cause both to spoil more quickly.

Keep bananas fresher for longer

Bananas release ethylene gas as they ripen, which speeds up the ripening process.

One of the easiest ways to slow this down is by wrapping the banana stems in plastic wrap or foil. This helps reduce the amount of gas released and can extend freshness by several days.

If your bananas become overripe, don’t throw them away. They’re perfect for smoothies, muffins or homemade banana bread.

Make strawberries last longer

Fresh strawberries are notorious for developing mould within days.

To help extend their shelf life, soak them briefly in a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water. After rinsing and drying thoroughly, store them in a container lined with paper towel to absorb excess moisture.

This simple trick can help strawberries stay fresh significantly longer.

Stop salt from clumping

Humidity can quickly turn free-flowing salt into a solid block.

A simple solution is to add a few grains of uncooked rice to your salt shaker. The rice absorbs excess moisture and helps keep the salt dry and easy to pour.

It’s an old kitchen trick that still works remarkably well.

Keep bread fresh and reduce waste

If you won’t use a loaf within a few days, freezing is often the best option.

Slice the bread before freezing so you can remove only what you need. Wrap it well in freezer-safe packaging to prevent freezer burn.

Some people also use a stick of celery in the bread bag to restore moisture to bread that’s beginning to dry out, although freezing remains the most reliable way to extend freshness.

Why food storage matters

Australian households throw away thousands of dollars worth of food every year.

Learning how to store everyday groceries properly can help reduce waste, save money and ensure you always have fresh ingredients on hand.

With food prices remaining high, a few small storage changes can make a surprisingly big difference.