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If you want to know How to Properly Wash Produce to eliminate pesticides, bugs, and mold, you’re in the right place! With so much conflicting advice online, it can feel overwhelming. Washing fruits and veggies doesn’t have to take a ton of guesswork. I tested three of the most common cleaning methods: baking soda, vinegar, and salt, and I’ll explain which one actually works the best!

HOW TO PROPERLY WASH PRODUCE

It’s so important to know how to properly wash your produce, not just because it’ll look nice and shiny, but because you’re actually ingesting it. Think about it, every strawberry, cucumber, or apple you eat could be carrying pesticides, dirt, bugs, or even a little hidden mold. And that’s not exactly the extra flavor we’re looking for!

The truth is, pesticides aren’t something you want hanging out in your body. Over time, they can cause all kinds of health issues, and even small amounts can add up if you’re eating produce every day. That’s why thoroughly washing fruits and veggies matters so much. It’s one of the simplest steps you can take to protect yourself and the people you’re feeding.

Sure, you can rely on fancy fruit and veggie sprays, but those can get costly. And honestly, you don’t need them. There are simple, budget-friendly methods you can use with the things you probably already have in your kitchen, like baking soda, vinegar, or salt. These natural options don’t just rinse the surface; they actually help break down pesticides, remove residue, and get rid of things you don’t want to eat!

I wanted to put these popular methods to the test because there’s so much conflicting advice online, and it can get overwhelming fast. One blog says vinegar is the answer, another swears by baking soda, and then there’s always that person telling you salt water fixes everything. So instead of guessing, I decided to see for myself which method really works the best!

Let’s get to it!

HOW I MADE-OVER THESE RINSES:

Technically, I didn’t! Unless you count swapping out fancy fruit sprays for simple pantry staples. So maybe the “makeover” here is just proving you don’t need to overcomplicate washing your produce!

These washes are nut-free, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free, paleo, grain-free, vegetarian, and vegan.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

(Use organic ingredients when possible)

Distilled white vinegar (5% acidity)

Table or kosher salt
Baking soda
Water

THIS IS HOW YOU’LL DO IT:

This is how I wash all of my produce. In my videos on all of my socials, I used strawberries to show the process, so that’s why I’ll be referring to berries here. Before you wash your produce, wash your hands! Makes sense, right? Let’s get started…

Vinegar Wash

• Mix 1 part distilled white vinegar (5% acidity only) with 3 parts water (example: 1 cup vinegar with 3 cups water).
• Soak the berries in the solution for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally so all the produce gets cleaned.
• Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove all traces of vinegar so there’s no unpleasant taste. I do this a few times!
• Spread the berries on a clean paper towel and allow them to air dry completely before storing.

Baking Soda Wash

• Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda per 2 cups of water.
• Soak the berries in the solution for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Swish the berries around so all of the produce gets cleaned.
• Rinse thoroughly with cold water. I do this a few times!
• Pat dry with paper towels or let air dry before storing in the fridge.

Salt Wash

• Mix 1 teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water (example: 3 cups of water with 3 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon of salt).
• Soak the berries in the solution for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally so all areas get cleaned.
• Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Yup, I do this a few times!
• Dry with paper towels or let air dry before storing.

As I showed in the videos, all three methods removed a substantial amount of dirt, but each one has its strengths. Salt water can encourage little bugs and larvae to come out. Vinegar is especially good at reducing mold. Baking soda removes dirt and mold. All are good for reducing pesticides, but I have researched it quite a bit and have found that baking soda works best for removing the most amount of pesticides, and studies suggest it can be up to 90 to 98% effective. And that was all I needed to know!

So what do I do? For larger produce, I typically use baking soda. And when I wash larger fruits and veggies, I use this brush I grabbed on Amazon that gets off even more dirt. It’s incredibly useful, and I love how you get two brushes for just a few bucks! For smaller, more delicate berries like raspberries or blackberries, I prefer vinegar. But I make sure to wash them thoroughly with one of my favorite Amazon finds ever! It makes rinsing super easy and, best of all, it’s not expensive.

One of the most important things NOT to do is combine baking soda and vinegar. I’ve seen this suggested online, but it doesn’t work. When you mix baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid), they react and fizz up, but the reaction actually weakens their cleaning power. The vinegar’s acidity gets neutralized by the baking soda’s alkalinity, leaving behind mostly water with a little salt. That means you lose the strong cleaning abilities of both ingredients, and you’re left with a solution that doesn’t do much.

Obviously, if you are washing larger produce like cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplants, or if you’re washing a large amount of produce, use a large basin and remember to multiply the ingredients for each solution.

Let me know in the comments which method you use, which one you’ve tried, and what seems to work best for you! I’d also love to know if you’re going to switch things up after reading this post!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

Once your produce is sparkling clean, you can do whatever you like with it! Snack on it as is, toss it into a salad, or whip it into one of my made-over recipes. Feel free to check out my other recipes to see how you can put that wonderfully washed produce to use!

MITA’S MUST-KNOW TIP:

When it comes to washing produce, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all method. Bigger, sturdier items like cucumbers or apples can handle a baking soda soak, while delicate berries do better with vinegar. Your produce might look different than mine, so don’t be afraid to adjust the method and timing. The goal is clean, fresh fruits and veggies that are ready to eat, without the bugs, pesticides, or mold tagging along!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

STORAGE AND LEFTOVERS:

After washing, make sure your produce is completely dry before storing. Damp berries or veggies can spoil quickly, so lay them on a clean towel or paper towels until fully dry. Once dry, store them in the fridge in a breathable container or produce box for the freshest results.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Always start with clean hands before handling produce. It sounds obvious, but it really does make a difference!

Even organic produce should still be washed. While pesticide levels may be lower, dirt, bugs, and mold don’t exactly care about the label!

And remember, you don’t need expensive sprays. Baking soda, vinegar, and salt are simple pantry staples that work just as well and save you money.

NUTRITIONAL VALUES:

No nutritional values in this post, but I don’t include nutritional values in my recipes because I believe in intuitive eating and balanced nutrition. Since ingredient brands can vary, the numbers aren’t always consistent. If you’d like a more accurate breakdown, I recommend entering this recipe into MyFitnessPal or a similar tracker.

For more great HOW-TOS & tips, check these out!

Onions 3 Ways: 3 Kinds of Prepared Onions to Keep in Your Fridge
How To Perfectly Roast Chicken Breasts

For great RECIPE ideas, check these out!

Wholesome Veggie Stuffed “Mexican” Egg Bake
Gluten-Free Honey-Glazed Fresh Peach Cake
Healthy Quick & Easy Indian Eggplant Bharta
Everyone’s Favorite: Salty & Sweet Salad with Roasted Veggies & Fig Dressing

If you make this recipe, I’d love it if you left a comment and star rating below! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and I’ll do my best to help!

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Chicken Breasts Chicken Breasts Chicken Breasts Chicken Breasts Chicken Breasts

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