Strawberries are delicate and can mold quickly when moisture gets trapped around them. The best way to keep them fresh longer is to sort, dry, and store them with airflow.
A few minutes of care after buying them can make a noticeable difference.
Remove any crushed, leaking, or moldy strawberries as soon as possible. One damaged berry can speed up spoilage in the whole container.
Water left on strawberries encourages mold. Wash them only just before eating, unless you plan to dry them very carefully afterward.
Line a shallow container with paper towel. Place the strawberries in a single loose layer if possible, then cover lightly without sealing them airtight.
Store the container in the refrigerator. Check daily and remove any soft berries before they affect the rest.
If the paper towel becomes damp, replace it with a dry one.
To keep strawberries fresh longer, remove damaged fruit, keep them dry, use paper towel, and refrigerate them loosely with some airflow.