Your block of butter’s shelf life could be extended to two weeks and be easier to use with a surprising storage tip, experts have said.

While most people may put their new block of butter in the fridge straight after a food shop, waste experts are championing keeping it out of the chiller.

According to waste management experts at Wheeldon Brothers, keeping butter out of the fridge - when done correctly - is not only safe but can actually extend its usability and avoid unnecessary spoilage.

While butter is one of those kitchen staples you always want to have on hand for baking, cooking or spreading on toast, when stored in the fridge, it often becomes too hard to use straight away, and the experts claim this can lead to waste, frustration, or unnecessary softening in the microwave.

So they advise leaving butter at room temperature - as long as it’s stored in a covered dish - and marvel at the results as it is actually preserved for up to two weeks, as well as being ready to use at all times.

Waste experts at Wheeldon Brothers, a family-operated waste management firm in Greater Manchester, told the Express: “We often see people throw away butter simply because it’s gone hard or they think it’s spoiled when left out. In reality, butter is much more stable than people think, especially salted butter. Storing it on the counter - in the right conditions - makes it easier to use and reduces how often it’s wasted.

“Because butter has a low moisture content and minimal protein or carbohydrates, it’s less appealing to bacteria and mould compared to other dairy items. This means, when kept in a cool, shaded area in a butter dish or crock, it can stay fresh and safe to eat for up to 14 days."

They stressed that the key to this technique is proper storage.

“Leaving butter exposed or storing it in its original wax wrapper can allow bacteria to build up - and that’s when problems start,” they added. “We recommend using a butter dish with a lid, and keeping it away from heat sources like windowsills or near the oven.”

How to store butter safely at room temperature

• Use a covered butter dish or crock to protect it from dust, light and contaminants
• Keep butter away from direct sunlight or heat sources, ideally in a spot below 21°C
• Only leave salted butter out — as unsalted butter spoils more quickly
• Avoid using the original wax paper wrapping, which doesn’t provide proper protection
• Check for any changes in smell, texture or taste before use
• If you prefer to keep butter chilled, salted butter can last one to two months in the fridge, and up to nine months in the freezer. But storing it cold often makes it too firm to use quickly, leading many to cut off more than they need - or let it melt wastefully on the counter, the experts warn.

They advise using this simple butter storage hack to help you reduce food waste, save money, and make baking and spreading far easier.

“Small changes like this can have a big impact,” the Wheeldon Brothers spokesperson added.

“By storing food in smarter ways — like keeping butter soft and ready to go — we can make our kitchens more efficient, and cut down on unnecessary waste.”