Summer snacks will last longer if you use one beauty gadget

As the warm weather continues in the UK, so does the season of barbecues, beach trips and exquisite tea, and no summer is complete without sharing a packet of crisps. But what happens when you don’t finish the bag and want to keep the rest fresh for the next day?

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices in the UK are still rising at a rate of 3.0% annually, according to the latest data ONS figuresHouseholds continue to look for simple ways to reduce food waste and make their food last longer. This becomes even more difficult in hot, humid weather, when opened snacks can quickly become stale.

Luckily, a food expert shared a simple trick that can help reseal crisp packets using a product many people have at home: a hair straightener. The method involves pressing the open end of the bag between hot flat irons for a few seconds to gently melt the plastic and reseal it. The goal is to help keep chips fresher longer by reducing the amount of air entering the package.

Richard Price, food and supermarket expert BritSuperstoreHe said: “Crisp bags are often made from layers of metallized plastic film that can be resealed when exposed to mild heat. Hair straighteners reactivate the original heat seal layer used during production and bond the material back together.

“Keeping air and moisture out helps maintain freshness, especially in humid weather. With grocery prices still rising, small habits like these can help households reduce waste and avoid throwing away food unnecessarily.”

However, Price warns against using high temperatures:

“Too much heat can completely melt the packaging. Use the straightener on low and apply heat for only a few seconds.”

For extra protection, he recommends placing a thin layer of foil over the bag before sealing to prevent direct contact with the heated plates.