There's nothing worse than when you buy a fresh loaf of only for it to go stale or mouldy after only a few days, and then having to throw it away and it going to waste. Storing bread properly can be tricky, especially with humidity and heat that make it more prone to molding. While plastic is often suggested to keep bread , it can actually trap moisture and create the perfect breeding ground for mold.

Two surprisingly effective storage spots are the and microwave, just make sure they're turned off, of course, before using them as storage for your bread. Both the oven and microwave can help preserve the freshness of the bread by protecting it from air exposure and keeping a relatively stable temperature and humidity.

Contrary to what many people believe, refrigeration is not a good idea when it comes to bread.

While refrigeration extends the shelf life of many foods, it can actually make bread stale faster.

Cold temperatures can easily cause starch molecules in the bread to harden, leading to a dry loaf.

Room temperature is better for freshness but too much moisture, however, will lead to mould growth.

According to , bread can easily be stored in the microwave instead of a bread box, as the microwave maintains a constant temperature and does not let any unwanted air in.

If you don't have the space for a bread box, your microwave or oven could be the ideal replacement for it.

The oven or the microwave also offer a dark and dry environment, which discourages mould growth.

Make sure you remember to always remove the bread from the oven or microwave before turning the appliance on.

For longer storage, however, you may want to consider freezing the bread as the oven or the microwave if you'd like to keep it for a more extended period of time.

Freezing will help halt the aging process and will keep for up to three months in the freezer if tightly wrapped.