How to Keep Cheese From Molding: 9 Fridge Storage Tips

Cheese is a beloved food, but keeping it fresh can be a challenge. Mold loves warm, damp, airtight spots, and your fridge — despite being cold — can still create exactly those conditions if cheese is stored the wrong way. Trapped condensation, leftover plastic wrap, and a cheese drawer that never gets cleaned can all speed up spoilage. Luckily, a few small habits can keep your cheese tasting great for weeks longer than you’d expect. Here are nine simple ways to store cheese properly and stop mold before it starts.

1. Try the Sugar Cube Trick: Place your cheese in a plastic bag with a single sugar cube, then seal it loosely. The sugar cube pulls excess moisture out of the air inside the bag, acting as a tiny, low-tech dehumidifier. Less moisture means mold has a much harder time taking hold. Swap the cube for a fresh one every few days for the best results, and toss the old one once it feels damp or sticky.
2. Store Cheese Properly: After opening a wedge, re-wrap it in wax paper or parchment paper instead of plastic wrap. Breathable paper lets the cheese release moisture instead of trapping it against the surface, which is where mold usually gets its start. This one small swap makes a big difference over time, and it’s especially worth doing with softer cheeses that sweat more in the fridge.
3. Use Cheese Cloths: Wrapping cheese in cheesecloth is another great option, especially for larger blocks or wedges you’re not finishing quickly. This breathable fabric promotes air circulation around the cheese while still offering some protection from the fridge’s other odors. Better airflow means less trapped moisture, and less moisture means less mold.
4. Skip Airtight Plastic Containers: Sealed plastic containers or bags without any moisture control can trap dampness against the cheese. That damp environment is exactly what mold needs to grow. Choose a breathable container made of glass or ceramic instead, and save sealed bags for short-term use with a moisture absorber like the sugar cube above.
5. Keep the Fridge Clean: Mold spores spread easily inside a messy refrigerator, especially in the crisper or cheese drawer where crumbs and spills tend to collect. Wipe up spills and residue as soon as they happen, and give the whole drawer a proper wipe-down every couple of weeks. A clean fridge gives mold far fewer places to take hold.
6. Use Clean, Dry Cheese Knives: Always handle cheese with clean, dry utensils. A dedicated cheese knife works best, since using the same knife across different cheeses or foods can transfer bacteria and speed up spoilage. This simple habit stops bacteria and mold spores from transferring onto your cheese.
7. Watch Your Fridge’s Humidity: Aim for a fridge humidity level of around 40 to 50 percent. You can check this with a simple hygrometer, which is inexpensive and easy to tuck into a drawer. The right humidity keeps cheese fresh without inviting mold, and it can also help other produce last longer.
8. Store Different Cheeses Separately: Different cheeses carry different moisture levels and bacteria, and some — like blue cheese — carry active mold cultures that can spread to other varieties. Storing them together can speed up mold growth. Wrap each cheese on its own and store them in separate containers, even if that means a little extra fridge real estate.
9. Check Your Cheese Often: Inspect your cheese regularly for early signs of mold, especially if it’s been in the fridge for more than a week or two. If you spot any, cut away the moldy spot plus a wide margin around it — at least an inch on firmer cheeses. Mold spreads deeper than it appears on the surface, so it’s better to cut generously than to risk it.

Follow these nine tips, and your cheese should stay fresher for longer, with mold kept firmly out of the picture — leaving more time to actually enjoy it before it goes to waste.