This Simple Trick Keeps Cheese Fresh for 3x Longer

You open the fridge, only to find a block of Cheddar cheese covered in mold after just a couple of weeks. You’ve overestimated how much cheese you could eat, and now it’s ruined—does this sound familiar? It’s time to put an end to the never-ending cheese waste cycle.

We’ve discovered an incredibly simple and effective cheese hack that you won’t believe actually works. Just one step and one pantry staple, and your cheese will stay fresh until the last bite.

Why Does Cheese Mold So Fast?

You may not expect cheese to spoil as quickly as something like berries, but if it's not stored properly, mold can develop faster than you think.

As a dairy product, cheese provides the perfect environment for bacteria and mold when exposed to the right conditions. Once cheese is cut and exposed to air and moisture, mold starts growing almost immediately.

Typically, an opened block of cheese can last between four to eight weeks in your fridge (depending on the type). However, with a simple trick, you can make it last up to three times longer with just one pantry ingredient you probably already have.

The Best Way to Store Cheese and Keep It Fresh

Before you toss that freshly unwrapped block of cheese into a zip-top bag and stick it in the fridge, make sure you do this one crucial step.

Grab a clean paper towel, dampen it with white vinegar (squeeze out the excess), and wrap the towel tightly around your block of cheese. After that, you can place it in a zip-top bag or an airtight container and store it in the cheese drawer of your fridge.

From there, simply check on the paper towel every so often to make sure it’s still damp, reapplying vinegar as needed. This simple trick will keep your cheese fresh and mold-free for weeks.

How Vinegar Helps Preserve Your Cheese

We get it—you're probably wondering if this hack will leave your cheese tasting like vinegar. The good news is, it won’t! This trick doesn’t alter the flavor of the cheese at all. It simply prevents bacteria from forming on the surface, keeping it fresh for much longer.

The secret lies in white vinegar. With its high acetic acid content, it has powerful antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This helps slow down the growth of microorganisms that cause spoilage.

Vinegar also helps maintain the perfect humidity for your cheese. Cheese needs some moisture to stay fresh, but excess moisture can encourage mold. By using a vinegar-soaked towel, you create just the right balance—moist enough to keep the cheese from drying out, but acidic enough to keep mold at bay.

Can You Use the Vinegar Trick on Any Type of Cheese?

The success of this trick depends on the type of cheese you're preserving. For harder cheeses with low moisture (like Parmesan, Pecorino, or aged Cheddar), this method will keep them fresh for months. It’s also highly effective for semi-hard cheeses such as Gouda, Swiss, and Provolone.

However, as cheeses become softer, the effectiveness of the trick decreases. While vinegar can help extend the life of soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and mozzarella, using too much vinegar on the towel can make the cheese soggy or alter its texture. Fresh cheeses should be avoided entirely, as the technique could ruin their flavor and consistency.

Feel free to stock up on your favorite cheeses or take advantage of cheese sales. With this trick, you can keep your cheese drawer organized, and say goodbye to moldy, spoiled Cheddar for good.