Washing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A Practical Safety Guide

While most people would never think of serving raw meat for dinner, they think of fruits and vegetables differently. When it comes to strawberries from the grocery store, most people give them a quick rinse and a pat with a paper towel before they deem it okay to eat.

The Food and Drug Administration estimate that contaminated food impacts roughly 48 million Americans each year. Fresh fruits and vegetables like spinach, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and lettuce have all caused outbreaks in the past. The good news is that effectively cleaning them is simple without the need for a complicated routine. You just need running water and a clear idea on what to do.

Why Cleaning Produce Can Impact Your Health

Fruits and vegetables are liable to pick up nasty germs at every stop from the farm to your table. Between the soil they’re grown in, the hands of the workers who handle them, the store shelves they sit in, and your kitchen counter, there’s plenty of potential for troublesome complications.

Bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria are dangerous and common. While a rinse under running water won’t necessarily sterilize anything, it can reduce bacteria on the surface.

Chemical residue can also play a part. Pesticide use is regulated, but small amounts of it can linger by the time a product reaches the grocery store. A good wash removes dirt and reduces pesticide residue at one time. For more, see our breakdown of biological hazards in food.

Essential Steps Before You Clean

The first step is the simplest: wash your hands. The FDA recommends washing them for 20 seconds with warm soapy water before touching fresh produce.

Clean any cutting boards, knives, and the sink before food touches them and again afterward, especially if raw meat was nearby. Then cut away bruised spots and throw away anything that looks spoiled or rotten.

The Basic Method: Running Water

The best ingredient for cleaner food is the simplest one: running water. You don’t need any kind of spray or soap.

Hold each item under the running water and gently rub any dirt off of them. For stronger items, you can use a brush. Even for items you plan to peel, rinse it first, otherwise the knife can move bacteria the surface to the piece you plan to eat.

For delicate items, fill a clean basin, swirl them gently in cold water, and lift them into a colander to rinse again.

Advanced Cleaning Solutions: Baking Soda

Baking soda is an inexpensive but effective tool for cleaning food. A 2017 University of Massachusetts Amherst Study found that a sodium bicarbonate solution removed surface pesticide residue from apples better than tap water or bleach. The catch was that it took 12 to 15 minutes to soak and only addressed surface residue rather than addressing anything that had penetrated the skin.

To use this method, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in two cups of cold water, soak firm items, then rinse thoroughly. Don’t use commercial produce wash sprays. The FDA says their effectiveness isn’t proven and some leave residues of their own.

Cleaning Specific Types of Produce

Different kind of foods call for different washing techniques.

Leafy Greens

Separate the leaves and drop them in a bowl of cold water. Swirl them gently, as dirt sinks and leaves float. Lift them into a colander and rinse with low-pressure running water then dry in a salad spinner or with a clean paper towel.

Berries and Grapes

Wash them under running water without scrubbing, as berries tend to be more delicate than other kinds of fruits. Use a colander and pat them dry before storing.

Melons and Cantaloupe

Scrub the melon with a produce brush before slicing before you cut it, as knives can carry bacteria and transfer it to the inside of the fruit. For more on this, check out our full guide on washing cantaloupe.

Root Vegetables

Use a produce brush under running water to clear skins and crevices.

Mushrooms

For gilled mushrooms like portobello, shiitake, oyster, brush them with a soft brush or paper towel. Button and cremini can be rinsed briefly in a colander before you dry it.

What Not to Do When Cleaning Produce

Don’t use any kind of soap or bleach on fruits and vegetables. They aren’t meant to be eaten and the residue can make you sick.

Don’t rewash bagged greens labeled “prewashed.” According to the CDC and FDA, it doesn’t make them safer and the extra handling can introduce new bacteria.

Never assume organic produce is 100% clean. It can still contain bacteria and dirt. And don’t wash other foods next to fruits and vegetables — splashing water can lead to cross-contamination if you’re not careful.

Cleaning Produce Is Easy and Important

Cleaning food you plan to consume is a small habit with a big payoff. Just always remember to:

Wash your hands
Wash any utensils you’re using to cut it
Rinse the item under running water
Scrub the item if it’s not too delicate when it makes sense
Dry the item with a clean paper towel

For more on how to handle food safely, browse our food safety resources.

FAQs: Cleaning Produce

Do you have to wash organic produce?

Yes, as organic produce can still collect dirt and bacteria. Rinse it the same as you would non-organic produce.

Should I use dish soap to clean fruits and vegetables?

No. Soap and detergents aren’t made to be consumed and can leave residue. The FDA recommends plain water.

Should I wash produce as soon as I buy it?

No, wait until right before you plan to eat it. Washing too far ahead can add water that spoils the food faster.

What’s the best way to clean berries?

Rinse them gently in a colander under cool running water before patting them dry.

Are commercial produce washes effective?

There’s little evidence supporting them. Research suggests they’re no better than water at removing dirt or pesticides and some leave residue of their own.

How do I clean leafy greens?

Swirl the leaves in cold water, put them in a colander, rinse, and dry in a salad spinner.