Here’s Why Your Bread Is Going Bad So Fast

Grocery shopping can be a real pain sometimes. I’m known as a somewhat anxious person, so when I go grocery shopping, I want to simply get in and get out. You can imagine how absolutely frustrating it can be when I buy something and, within a week, it’s already spoiled. This happened recently with a loaf of bread: As I reached to grab a slice for my morning toast, I was horrified to see that it was completely covered in mold. What did I do wrong? I never had this happen before and I was completely stumped. 

As it turns out, it’s actually quite common (and annoying) for your bread to go bad rather quickly. 

Why is My Bread Spoiling Quickly?

The main reason is simple: moisture and storage. If your bread is improperly stored, it can accumulate moisture—which is what mold loves. Excess heat and water that gets trapped in the packaging can cause mold spores to grow. If you’re like me and simply store your bread in the plastic packaging it comes in, you actually might be promoting mold growth by preventing air circulation.

How to Prevent Bread From Going Bad

Luckily, there are a few ways to prevent your bread from getting moldy:

• Try freezing the bread. Take half of the loaf, freeze it, and thaw it when you are done with the first half. But don’t put your bread in the fridge. Doing so will make your bread dry out due to the heat from the fridge and the moisture retained activates mold.
• Bread boxes are great for allowing air circulation without retaining moisture. They’re also great for keeping out pests in your kitchen. 
• Whether it’s a fresh loaf of bread or store bought, resist the temptation to store your bread in plastic when on the counter. Always go with paper. Also, it’s good to avoid storing near heated appliances, like dishwashers or ovens. 

That’s it! No more moldy bread.