If you've ever found yourself discarding wilted, brown lettuce, you're not alone. It seems logical to store lettuce in the fridge but without the correct storage methods, this leafy green can quickly become slimy or wilt due to its high moisture content.

Lettuce and other salad greens typically have a short shelf life, lasting only three or four days if unopened. However, once the packet is opened or the lettuce is cut, it can deteriorate to a soggy, brown state within one or two days, leading to frustrating food waste.

Luckily, waste experts at Wheeldon Brothers have shared a storage tip that could prolong the freshness of your leafy greens. They revealed: "Wrapping freshly bought lettuce in tin foil before placing it in the fridge can extend its shelf life significantly — up to 30 days. This clever trick helps to regulate moisture and airflow, preventing those pesky brown spots that often plague salad greens."

That's not all though. Deploying the proper storage techniques can also increase the lifespan of other vegetables. The experts said: "For instance, spring onions and asparagus thrive when stored in a glass with a little water and loosely covered with a plastic bag, lasting up to two weeks."

As for cucumbers, avoid the fridge: "Instead, store them in a plastic bag with holes for ventilation, and place them in a cool spot in your kitchen to maintain their crispness."

Tomatoes and potatoes are best kept outside the fridge to maintain their flavour and texture, say experts. "Keeping them at room temperature helps preserve their flavour and texture."

For keeping herbs fresh, the trick is to dampen a paper towel, wrap the herbs in it, and pop them into a zip-lock bag in the fridge. "This keeps them fresh and vibrant," the experts recommend.

Bananas should be stored away from other fruits, and wrapping their stems with cling film can help keep them fresher for longer. The experts also warn: "Be mindful of storing pears, apples, and kiwis together, as they release ethylene gas, which can accelerate ripening."

These savvy storage tips can help you minimise food waste and keep your produce fresher for an extended period.

Nicole Keshishian (@kalejunkie), a culinary expert and cookbook author, has shared her own top tip for preserving lettuce.

She shared: "Until I found this hack, my lettuce would always die within a few days. And, unless you are only eating salads for days on end, then you know how hard finishing a full head of lettuce can be. But, lucky for us, now we have this hack, which makes extending the life of your lettuce simple and easy and not to mention: also cost-effective and more sustainable."

To extend the life of your lettuce, you'll need a paper or fabric towel, a knife, and a zip-lock bag. Ensure the lettuce leaves are washed and completely dried beforehand. Nicole's tip is incredibly straightforward and will keep your lettuce crunchy for an impressive number of weeks. All you need to do is wrap the lettuce head in a paper towel, place it inside an open zip-lock bag and tuck it into the fridge.

Sharing her insights, she further added: "The towel will ensure that the excess moisture from the lettuce is being absorbed so that it stays fresh for longer."

This savvy method not only preserves the lettuce's essential moisture but also protects it against the ethylene gas emitted by other fruits or vegetables in the vicinity, significantly prolonging its crispness. Nicole continued: "With this simple and easy kitchen hack, your lettuce will stay fresh for up to two plus weeks, making your days of limp lettuce a thing of the past. The best part is, this hack works with all types of lettuce, making it a versatile hack to keep in your back pocket."