Cucumbers will stay fresher for longer and not go 'squishy' by avoiding storage mistake

With the weather turning more summery, many people will be turning to fresh, . Whether you're making a Greek salad or a classic mix, there's nothing worse than opening your to find a squishy cucumber.

According to and safety expert Chris Hassall from Virtual College by Netex, many salad lovers are making a simple, common mistake that's causing their cucumbers to spoil. The good news is that with just a small change in how you store them, you can extend their shelf life and keep them at their best. Here's what you need to know to prevent your cucumbers from going soft.

Chris advised washing uncut cucumbers with cool water and drying them with a paper towel to remove any germs.

According to the expert, the key way to prevent spoilage is to wrap cucumbers in a paper towel before placing them in the fridge to remove excess moisture.

He went on to add that you should always store salad items such as cucumbers and tomatoes in the drawers of your fridge. This area of the fridge has higher humidity, helping to retain your cucumber from going squishy.

Experts at The Kitchn tested out the paper towel method but also placed the wrapped cucumber in a loose plastic bag.

Sharing their thoughts, they said: "On day seven, most of the cucumbers were still firm and showed no signs of deterioration.

"The next day, I felt some soft spots forming toward the ends of the conventional cucumber, but the rest were still in good shape. On day 10, all of the cucumbers had noticeable squishy spots.

"Prepping the cucumbers for this technique was easy, and the cucumbers stayed fresh for a good amount of time. It's a solid method that will keep your cukes fresh for a good bit of time."

They went on to conclude: "Moisture loss, as well as moisture buildup, seems to contribute most to spoilage. Shielding cucumbers in some way - wrapping in paper towels, plastic wrap, or placing in a bag - appears to offer the longest protection."

Chris also advises salad lovers to avoid combining salad items until you're ready to eat. He said: "While combining salad items is safe to do so, it can cause food items to go soggy quickly, especially if you've topped the salad with a dressing.

"To avoid this, keep salad items such as greens, vegetables and proteins in separate containers or bags before assembling the salad to keep it fresher for longer. While leaves don't need to be prepared, slice other salad items such as cucumber and peppers before placing them in a food bag or an airtight container.

"To prevent cucumbers from drying out, cover the slices in water - just make sure to change the water every two to three days to keep them fresh. Keep salad dressing in a separate container too and add just before serving, to prevent it from causing the salad to go limp."