Apparently, You Should Be Storing Your Packaged Salad Upside Down — Here’s Why

TikTok star @AtHomeWithKat, a home cook and whole food enthusiast, received massive attention recently when she offered a simple tip we can all find helpful. In a video that has nearly a million viewers, she advises viewers, “Friendly reminder that, when you get home from the grocery store, put a towel in your lettuce, and store it in your fridge upside down. You’ll thank me.”The video grew to become extremely popular, but it prompted people to ask the understandable question of …. “Why?”

Truthfully, I wondered the same thing which is why I shuffled through her videos to see if there was an answer to the burning question. Luckily, the creator gave a quick reply to that in a follow-up video.

“Great question. When you store lettuce with a towel in it, that helps to absorb the moisture, so the leaves don’t get soggy and gross,” she said. “Usually, lettuce only lasts a few days when it gets home, so it goes from the grocery store to the fridge to the compost before I actually consume it, so it’s a complete waste. But, with this method, I can usually save it for like 10 or 12 days even.”

She added, “It works for pretty much any lettuce that you have — spinach and arugula, anything. Make sure your lettuce is washed and then change the paper towel every few days, and you should be golden.”

In a follow-up comment, Kat advised that you could use either a regular towel or a paper towel to keep the lettuce fresh. Whatever works for you is fine.

When a viewer lamented that they can’t buy bagged lettuce anymore, Kat responded, stating that you totally can. She added, “Just put the towel on the side of the bag and keep it in a place where it won’t get smooshed.”

Viewers shared that the paper towel method will keep berries fresh, too! And if you ask me, that’s a trick you should totally try at home.