Place bananas in a paper bag
Add an apple or ripe avocado to the bag
Fold the bag loosely closed
Keep the bag at room temperature
Store bananas near other ripe fruit
Separate bananas from the bunch if you want them to ripen faster
Wrap the stems with plastic wrap
Put bananas in a warm spot, away from direct sunlight
Check them every 12 to 24 hours
Use the oven only if you need them softened quickly for baking
Use the microwave only for immediate softening, not true ripening