Put a roll of paper towel in your fridge: electricity bill is halved and your family will get these amazing benefits

Most of us keep paper towels within arm’s reach in the kitchen to handle spills, clean surfaces, and take care of everyday messes. While they’re a must-have for these tasks, did you know paper towels can also work wonders in your fridge? Yes, you read that right—paper towels are an incredibly useful tool for keeping produce fresher for longer periods of time, and it’s a trick that’s both simple and surprisingly effective.

According to Reader’s Digest, incorporating paper towels into your fridge routine can help extend the life of fruits and vegetables, making it easier to enjoy fresh, crisp produce without the disappointment of wilted greens or moldy veggies a few days after shopping. If you’re someone who often finds yourself tossing out produce before you’ve had a chance to use it, this easy hack could be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Here’s how it works: The next time you unpack your groceries, take a moment to line the crisper drawer of your fridge with a couple of paper towels. As your vegetables sit in the drawer, they naturally release moisture. That excess moisture can speed up the process of decay, causing your vegetables to spoil faster than you’d like. The paper towels absorb that moisture, keeping the environment drier and helping your produce stay fresh and crisp.

The best part? It’s a low-effort solution that doesn’t require any fancy gadgets or extra costs. Just place the paper towels at the bottom of the drawer, and make sure to replace them regularly—ideally each time you add new produce to the fridge. This simple practice can significantly extend the freshness of everything from leafy greens like spinach and lettuce to heartier vegetables like cucumbers and peppers.

But the hack doesn’t stop at lining the produce drawer. You can also place a paper towel directly inside the plastic bags or containers that hold your fruits and veggies. For example, if you’ve brought home a bag of baby carrots, adding a folded paper towel inside the bag will help absorb the extra moisture that can cause them to get slimy. The same goes for other items like berries or pre-washed salad greens—tuck a paper towel in with them, and you’ll likely notice they stay fresh longer.

This hack is especially useful for anyone who buys produce in bulk or shops infrequently. We all know the frustration of buying a large quantity of fresh vegetables with the intention of eating healthier, only to see half of it go to waste after a few days. With the simple addition of paper towels, you can reduce waste, save money, and enjoy your fruits and vegetables for longer.

For those with busy schedules or who frequently meal prep, this technique can be a real time-saver. Not only does it help maintain the quality of your produce, but it also allows you to plan meals without worrying about your ingredients spoiling before you have the chance to use them. Instead of constantly buying fresh produce throughout the week, this hack can give you more flexibility to make the most out of what you already have in your fridge.

In a world where food waste is a growing concern, this method is also a great way to contribute to reducing waste. By keeping your produce fresh for longer, you’re less likely to throw away spoiled food, which in turn reduces the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills. It’s a small step, but every little bit helps in the effort to live more sustainably.

So the next time you return from the grocery store with a load of fresh fruits and vegetables, don’t forget to reach for those paper towels. Lining your produce drawer or adding a paper towel to your veggie bags could make a noticeable difference in how long your produce stays fresh. It’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive trick that can help you waste less, save more, and enjoy the freshest possible ingredients in your meals.