Things You'll Need:
- Plastic bags
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Step 1
Determine ripeness. Fruit should already be ripe before placing in the refrigerator since lower temperatures slow down ripening. Allow to ripen at room temperature for a few days before placing in the refrigerator.
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Step 2
Remove spoiled fruit. Packaged strawberries can be crushed easily and a few can turn rotten quickly. Discard any rotten fruit before placing in the refrigerator.
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Step 3
Bag up fruit. Place ripe, unwashed grapes, peaches, apricots, pears, apples and all berries separately in plastic bags and put in the crisper drawer.
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Step 4
Leave specific fruit at room temperature. Refrigeration can ruin the flavor of tomatoes, most citrus fruits and melons, as well as shorten their shelf life to two days. Store away from sunlight at a cool temperature and eat when fully ripe. Citrus fruits can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks.
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Step 5
Time it. Apples can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month while berries only about three days. Peaches, pears, nectarines, grapes and most exotic fruits can last up to five days in the refrigerator. Add some time to the shelf life by cutting up ripe melon and storing in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
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Step 6
Throw it out. Discard any rotten fruit immediately.
