Store lettuce properly for six weeks by stopping it going mouldy or wilting

Lettuce, the quintessential ingredient for that crunchy salad or perfect sandwich, can quickly wilt within days - much to our dismay. Amy Cross of The Cross Legacy, who provides tips on frugal via her website, articulates that premature spoilage of lettuce is often a result of improper pre-fridge storage.

She said: "It seems like when you buy a large amount of lettuce from the store, at least one of them is doomed to die (or at least start the process) before you get a chance to use it. Often, those bad leaves tend to spread their love to other heads of lettuce as well, and then it's a race against the clock to eat that lettuce. Always a good time!"

READ MORE:

Because leafy veggies like salad greens carry much water, they're a magnet for bacteria or even mould. A quick five-minute preparation involving a protective coating can extend the longevity of lettuce - and similar veggies such as spinach - from mere days to weeks.

If you've ever wondered how to keep your lettuce fresh for an extended catch: limiting its contact with bacteria is crucial. A good soak in a mix of water and a splash of white vinegar does wonders in preserving freshness.

Vinegar, apart from sanitizing and dislodging any residual grime, will not meddle with the flavours of your greens, reports .

Get started by chopping off the lettuce's end and rinsing it well under the tap. Then plunge the leaves into a bowl brimming with water and about 60ml of vinegar.

First things first, soak that lettuce for a good two minutes, then give the leaves an extra rinse to shake off any remaining specks of dirt.

But before chucking it back in the fridge, it is crucial to ensure the lettuce is bone dry – after all, moisture's a spoilage fiend.

Spread 'em out on some paper towels for a drying session of a few hours, flipping now and then, or if you're feeling fancy, spin them dry with a salad spinner to slash that time drastically.

Amy shared her own kitchen wisdom with: "Just this past year, I purchased the best salad spinner from OXO. It speeds up the process, but for years I did it without a spinner."

Once you've got your lettuce perfectly parched, park it in a glass container – trust us, glass is boss against the fickle fridge temps that can jeopardize freshness.

Pop a paper towel or tea cloth in there too; it'll happily vacuum up any rogue moisture, keeping the green stuff sprightly for up to six weeks.

According to Amy: "I was averaging six weeks with this container when I was testing it out. You can choose to put it in a ziplock bag with a piece of paper towel, but it won't last as long.

"It is worth the extra effort to know we have fresh lettuce anytime we want a salad."