How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables Properly

According to the Environmental Working Group's 2024 Dirty Dozen report, many popular produce items are loaded with pesticides that can disrupt human hormone systems. This means that you might not be properly removing all traces of dirt, pesticide residues, and contaminants in your food, especially in the following:

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
4. Grapes
5. Peaches
6. Pears
7. Nectarines
8. Apples
9. Bell and hot peppers
10. Cherries
11. Blueberries
12. Green beans
    

The thing is, cleaning the dirty dozen foods requires more specialized techniques and cleaning materials than you may be used to. To know how to wash fruits and vegetables, you need specific instructions tailored to each type of produce—learn them right here!

General Washing Tips

Before we get into the best way to wash cherries, berries, and other members of the dirty dozen foods, let’s get into some general food safety tips. When learning how to wash fruits and vegetables, remember to:

• Wash your hands and sanitize the sink first to remove any germs you might transfer to your fresh produce.
• Never use soap, bleach, or alcohol on fruits and veggies. 
• Wash pre-washed or pre-cut produce if the packaging specifically instructs you to do so.
• Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, like watermelon and cucumber.
• Dry completely. Moisture can encourage mould growth and rot.

Image Source: Canva

How to Wash Delicate Fruits and Vegetables

Cleaning strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, leafy greens and other delicate produce should be done with little pressure to reduce bruising.  

The best way to wash grapes and other delicate fruits is to rinse them thoroughly under cold water for at least 30 seconds. Gently place them in a large bowl filled with cold water and a splash of vinegar and swish them around to dislodge dirt and debris. Let them soak for a few minutes. Carefully lift out the produce and place it in a colander, then rinse thoroughly under cool running water. Pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel before serving or storing.

🍒 Tip: When learning how to wash cherries and other easily bruised fresh fruits, remember to gently inspect for any blemishes or mould. Discard any that look damaged!  

Use this method for cleaning…

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Grapes
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Peaches 
• Nectarines
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Herbs

How to Clean Fruits With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Cleaning fruits with baking soda and vinegar can sometimes be a good idea if you need extra cleansing power, especially for those on the dirty dozen foods list like grapes and nectarines. 

Here’s how to wash fruits and vegetables with baking soda and vinegar:

1. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda, a cup of vinegar, and two cups of cool water to make a produce wash in a large bowl.
2. Soak your fruits and vegetables for 12-15 minutes.
3. Gently agitate the water occasionally to dislodge any dirt or debris.
4. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water and pat dry.

How to Wash Firm Produce

The gentle rinse method for washing the dirty dozen fruits won’t fly for firmer items on the list. Sometimes you need a good old scrubbing.

You can use your fingers or a trusty vegetable brush to gently wash fruit dirt, wax coatings, or pesticide residue. Pay extra attention to crevices and stem areas. For tougher grime, you can soak produce using the baking soda and vinegar trick we discussed above. Simply mix a solution of one tablespoon of baking soda per gallon of water for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry. 

🍎 Tip: When washing apples and other firm produce, make sure to only use brushes with soft, clean bristles. Never use metal brushes if you don’t want to bruise or damage your food when washing produce.

Use this method for cleaning…

• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Beets
• Cucumbers
• Squash
• Melons
• Bell peppers
• Apples
• Pears
  

Image Source: Canva

How to Wash Leafy Greens

We know how to wash peaches and other delicate and not-so-delicate fruits and vegetables. Time to tackle the greens!

Leafy greens have plenty of nooks and crannies where dirt, grit, and even tiny bugs can hide. That’s why the first step in learning how to wash fruits and vegetables with leaves or folds is removing any wilted or discoloured outer leaves.

Next steps:

1. Fill the sink or a large bowl with cold water.
2. Fully submerge your dirty dozen vegetables for a minute or two.
3. Use your hands to agitate the water and swish the leaves around.
4. Let them sit for a few minutes, allowing the dirt to settle at the bottom.
5. Carefully lift the greens out and place them in a colander.
6. Drain and repeat steps 1-3 until you see no more dirt or debris. 
7. Use a salad spinner or clean towels to dry your clean vegetables! 

🥬 Tip: For extra cleanliness, you can use a vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water) during the soaking process.

Use this method for cleaning…

• Kale
• Mustard greens
• Spinach
• Collard greens
• Lettuce
• Microgreens
• Arugula
• Bok choy
• Watercress
• Cabbage
  

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Learning how to wash fruits and vegetables is a must, whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef. But knowing how to wash peaches and other fruits and vegetables with the proper techniques is just step one. Step two is owning the necessary supplies.

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