Rinse Under Cold Water Start by rinsing cucumbers under cold running water to remove any dirt, pesticides, or residues. Gently scrub the skin with your hands or a vegetable brush.
Use Vinegar Solution For a deeper clean, mix 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water. Soak the cucumbers for about 5 minutes to help remove bacteria and wax coatings.
Rinse Thoroughly After soaking, rinse the cucumbers well with cold water to remove the vinegar solution and any remaining debris.
Dry Completely Use a clean towel or paper towels to dry cucumbers thoroughly. Excess moisture can cause them to spoil faster, so make sure they are fully dried before storage.
Store Properly To make cucumbers last longer, store them in the vegetable crisper drawer of your fridge. Keep them in a plastic bag with some air circulation, or wrap them in a paper towel to absorb moisture.
Avoid Washing Before Long-Term Storage If you plan to store cucumbers for several days, it’s best to leave them unwashed until you’re ready to use them. Washing before storage can lead to faster deterioration.
Following these simple steps will help keep cucumbers fresh and crisp for as long as possible, extending their shelf life while maintaining flavor and texture.