Once you've prepared garlic cloves, they will only last about a day in the crisper drawer or on a fridge shelf. So don't peel or prepare it until just before using it, if possible. Room temperature suits unpeeled garlic, but if you have peeled, chopped cloves left over, keep them refrigerated and make sure one of tomorrow's meals has garlic in it unless you want to freeze it! If the cloves are peeled but whole, they should keep for several days.