How we store our food is not a particularly glamorous subject, and we are far less likely to spend as long considering it as we might our cabinet design, or our backsplash tiles.
However, choosing the right food storage can not only add to the overall final look of your kitchen, but can incrementally improve how long your food lasts, preventing waste at a very expensive – already very wasteful – time in our lives.
Enter the IKEA GULLRISMOTT Jute Food Storage Bags. Not only are they wonderfully rustic and pretty enough to stand proudly on display in your pantry, but they are also one of the best materials for increasing the lifespan of your food goods. Here's how.
Why Jute is the Best Storage Option For Reducing Food Waste this Summer
These jute storage bags can double as food storage and shopping bags, with thick carry handles that can also be used to hang the bags for easy storage. When not in use, they fold down completely flat, making them perfect for small spaces, too.
Jute has been used for food storage and transport for thousands of years across cultures, and for good reason. The fabric is made up of woven dried plant fibers, making it sustainable, affordable, and, most importantly for reducing unnecessary waste at home, breathable.
While neat, stackable kitchen storage solutions are great for keeping your space tidy, restricting airflow is one of the main causes of premature spoilage in fruits and vegetables – particularly root vegetables like potatoes. Unlike the plastic bags that produce often comes in from the grocery store, coated jute food storage bags allow air to circulate while preventing moisture buildup, which can otherwise encourage mold growth.
They also keep vegetables in darkness, unlike clear plastic bags, helping to reduce greening and sprouting.
The IKEA versions are designed with this in mind, featuring a zip top that keeps produce in the dark without limiting breathability. They also double as a rustic storage solution, keeping essentials close at hand without the visual clutter of plastic bags on your pantry shelves or countertops.
It isn't just an old wives' tale, either; the science supports it. In a 2025 study on coated jute for food storage, the researchers noted that, 'The improved antibacterial characteristics of jute fabric, which can stop or delay the growth of microbes on a product's surface, are highly desirable in the food packaging industry.'
A separate 2024 study reached similar conclusions, stating that, 'Compared to the control, the coated jute delivers >50% bacterial growth reduction in 48 hours. The proposed jute offers a sustainable packaging solution that promotes eco-friendly practices and reduces plastic waste.'
It's simple, but effective – everything home storage needs to be to reduce friction and work with your routines.
What Else to Shop
When considering chic and affordable ways to make a kitchen feel more expensive, storage is not usually a top consideration. However, curated storage crafted from natural materials can add texture and style to every facet of your space. Not to mention, they are often more sustainable and can extend the life of your groceries, too.
I have selected six of my favorite pretty and practical picks for your home for a quick upgrade that pays:
Berries also need good airflow to avoid premature spoilage. This stoneware basket makes washing and storing fresh berries simple, and looks fantastic both in your fridge and on your table when hosting.
Garlic needs air circulation to avoid premature sprouting. This gorgeous Italian handmade ceramic garlic pot has air gaps to keep garlic fresh, and looks fabulous on your counter.
Summer comes with bugs and flies. Keep food on your counters safe from pests by using a folding food cover, such as this stunning hand woven option from Anthropologie.
In 1.1, 1.3, and 2.6 quart capacities, these silicone good bags help to keep food fresher than traditional plastic, and create less waste through being washable and reusable. They are freezer safe, leakproof, and microwaveable (without the clip), and dishwasher safe, too, for added convenience.
This wire mesh food basket promotes constant air circulation, for fruits, vegetables and bread for better taste and less waste.
This breathable two-tier food basket keeps food categories seperate to extend shelf life and reduce food waste. The lower tier has a lid that keeps the storage compartment dark and allows air to circulate, making it perfect for potatoes.
Using natural materials for food storage is not only great for preventing food waste but also for reducing plastic usage. I have collated a list of simple ways to go zero-waste at the grocery store to prevent plastic from entering your home in the first place.
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