Your limp vegetables will last longer and be revived if you use clever icy trick – and it's free

The Sun

20-05-2025

Paige Beresford, Digital Journalist
Published: Invalid Date,
WITH bills continuing to rise amid the current cost of living crisis, most of us will be feeling the strain on our budgets.
Especially since the UK's inflation has unexpectedly climbed by 2.5 per cent this year, which is seeing the prices of household essentials skyrocket.
And food prices are one thing that is rapidly increasing, including costs for staples like meat, eggs, butter and cereals.
So finding ways to keep costs down on other things like our food shop and supermarket bills is key.
And in a bid to help, experts have shared their top tips on how to reduce food waste and save money.
Professionals at kitchen appliance brand Cookology revealed that there are six key ways that households make their food budgets stretch further.
And one tip can actually help revive limp foods that save you from throwing them in the bin.
Andrew Wright, Founder of Cookology, said: 'At Cookology, we understand the growing pressures faced by families across the UK.
We believe that by sharing simple yet effective kitchen hacks, we can empower households to make their food budgets stretch further
Andrew WrightFounder of Cookology
"The recent inflation figures, highlighting the rise in food costs, are a real concern.
"We believe that by sharing simple yet effective kitchen hacks, alongside providing quality, space-efficient appliances, we can empower households to make their food budgets stretch further and minimise waste.
'Our aim is to provide solutions, both through our appliance designs and by offering actionable advice, that help our customers make the most of their groceries and reduce unnecessary waste.
"Our range is specifically designed to offer flexible storage solutions for any size kitchen, helping to keep food fresher for longer and maximise options for consumers."
People are just realising there's a 'life changing' way to seal an open food packet without a clip
Revive and Thrive
As mentioned, the experts shared their key tip to save those veggies that are starting to get limp.
And all you need is a bowl of ice water.
They said: "Don't toss those wilting greens or limp carrots!
"Soaking them in ice water can bring them back to life.
"And that stale bread? A little moisture and oven heat can work wonders."
The "Eat Me First" System
This is a very simple, easy way that stops food from rotting in the fridge.
It also works by bringing expired dates to attention, stopping them from being forgotten about.
This stops food from being wasted and having to be thrown out.
Andrew explained: "Combat forgotten leftovers and near-expiration dates by designating a visible 'Eat Me First' box in your fridge."
Unlock Hidden Potential
Most of us buy food and ingredients and then only use the part we need, and throw out the rest.
But the experts say we should be using every part of our ingredients to get the most out of our money.
They suggested: "Get the most out of your ingredients by using every part.
"Roast chicken bones make delicious broth, broccoli stems can be peeled and stir-fried, and herb stems add flavour to sauces."
DIY Savings
It can be tempting to pick up ready-made snacks because it's so much easier.
But experts say that making our own can save us all some cash.
The experts say: "Skip expensive pre-made snacks and drinks by making your own granola, iced coffee, and trail mix at home."
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Natural Powerhouse Cleaning
We all know that cleaning products can take a huge chunk of cash out of our budgets.
So, experts say we could actually try making our own with a few household items.
Things you may already have in your kitchen can have an incredible amount of other uses.
Andrew explains: "A simple solution of vinegar and baking soda can tackle many cleaning tasks, saving you money on commercial products."
Grow Your Own
Buying seeds and trying to grow our own food is a good way to get fresh produce.
But did you know you can actually do it without buying seeds?
All you need to do is keep small bits of scraps from your food waste.
Experts say: "Extend your fresh produce by regrowing kitchen scraps like green onions, lettuce, and basil in water or soil."
Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge
IF you want your food to stay fresh, you'll need to try out this useful hacks...
Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks.
Wrap Greens in Paper Towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture, preventing wilting.
Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer.
Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again.
Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh.
Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use.
Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy.
Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh.
Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life.
Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float.
Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.