The 1 Thing That'll Wash Pesticides Off Fruits And Vegetables
In addition to removing leftover bits of soil and errant garden bugs from delicious summer fruits and vegetables, many of us want to make sure that we’re clearing away residual pesticides, too. TikTok has popularized a trend of washing fruits and vegetables in baking soda, white vinegar and specialty “produce washes,” but is that really the best method?
We found ourselves wondering: What are the actual risks of consuming pesticides on produce? Do you really need to wash fruits and veggies in special formulas to get them clean? Can all types of produce be washed the same way?
To answer these questions, we turned to experts who know a thing or two about summer produce and pesticides.
Pesticides have been linked to serious ailments, but the proof is not always clear.
“There are many different types of pesticides, and the human effects of ingesting these chemicals can vary based on the type of pesticide,” said Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, medical toxicology physician and medical director at National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C. “Some pesticides can cause neurologic damage, while others are associated with chronic health conditions such as cancer.”
Other concerns related to pesticides include “effects on reproduction or development,” often called endocrine disruption, Johnson-Arbor said.
These concerns cause many people to avoid unnecessary exposure to pesticides. The Environmental Protection Agency says “people are likely to be exposed to only very small amounts of a pesticides — too small to pose a risk.” In many cases, Johnson-Arbor said, “the exact dose and timing of exposure needed to cause these harmful human health effects remains unknown.” If you’d rather steer clear of pesticides on your produce, you’re not alone. Below, you’ll find expert advice for getting your summer produce haul close to pesticide-free.
Regular tap water is the best cleaner for fruits and vegetables.
The good news for the budget-minded among us is that, in Johnson-Arbor’s professional estimation, the water right from your faucet will clean produce quite effectively.
“Plain running tap water remains the simplest and safest method” of removing germs and pesticides from produce, Johnson-Arbor said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration both recommend washing produce with running water and not other solutions, including vinegar or commercial produce washes.
Don’t use soap, detergent or store-bought “produce wash.”
Fruits and vegetables are absorbent by nature, so it’s generally not recommended to use any type of soap, detergent or cleaning solution on them.
“According to the FDA, washing fresh produce with soap, detergent or commercial produce wash is not recommended, as their safety and effectiveness have not been adequately tested,” explained Emma Laing, the director of dietetics at the University of Georgia. “Because produce is porous, soaps and detergents can be absorbed even with thorough rinsing, and this can lead to illness.”
Resist the urge to soak your produce.
Soaking fruits and vegetables in clean water might seem like an effective way to deep clean it prior to eating. While it may help to remove pesticide remnants from the surface of produce items, Johnson-Arbor warned against this method because “it can actually lead to an increased spread of germs through the soaking water, causing a higher level of contamination.”
Johnson-Arbor added a warning about letting washed produce touch your sink: “Your sink is dirtier than you think!”
Produce with crevices, rough surfaces and leaves requires more thorough cleaning.
Summer produce runs the gamut from sturdy and hard-shelled items (like watermelons) to very delicate items (like berries). And if you’re washing a fruit or vegetable with a lot of nooks and crannies, you might not feel confident in your ability to remove all of the dirt and pesticide residue.
Chris Young, a California-based gardener and horticulture author, has advice for these types of produce.
“Start by gently rinsing them under cool running water,” Young said. “For berries, be careful not to wash them too vigorously, as they can become mushy. For leafy greens, separate the leaves and rinse them individually, ensuring that all sides are thoroughly cleaned. For produce with rough surfaces or crevices, like melons or cauliflower, use a produce brush to scrub away any dirt or debris. Pat them dry or use a clean paper towel before consumption.”
Don’t forget to wash produce that has a thick rind (like watermelon and cantaloupe).
We were surprised to learn that it’s just as important to wash thick-rinded produce as it is to wash fruits and veggies lacking that natural shield, but Laing urged you not to skip this step.
“Washing summer produce that is peeled and eaten without the skin, such as honeydew melon or mango, requires the same level of attention as fruits and vegetables that are eaten whole,” Laing explained. “Even if you are not planning to eat the skin on certain produce, washing is important to minimize the dirt and bacteria that could be transferred from the surface” to the fruit itself when peeling or cutting.
Be sure to have a clean scrub brush handy.
You can boost the effectiveness of plain water with a bit of scrubbing, Young said.
“Most people skip the step of rubbing or gently scrubbing the surface of fruits and vegetables,” he said. “The friction created by rubbing or brushing helps remove dirt, bacteria and some pesticide residues. So, remember to give your produce a gentle rub or use a produce brush for more effective cleaning.”
Make sure to keep your produce brush clean in order to prevent the spread of germs and the potential transfer of leftover dirt and pesticide residue.
Organic is the best way to avoid pesticides.
Produce that’s certified organic has a higher price than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. And, depending on where you live, your access to organic produce might be limited. But if you’re able to purchase organic items, Richard LaMarita, a plant-based culinary arts chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, said this is the best way to avoid pesticides on your produce.
“Think about going more organic in your shopping and diet,” he said. “With organic, you can be assured that there are no artificial pesticides on your produce.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidelines state that organic produce can only be treated with naturally occurring or plant-based pesticides, with few exceptions.
Rinsing and scrubbing should still happen with organic items to wash off dirt and natural germs. But buying organic greatly reduces concerns about chemical pesticides in your favorite summer veggies.
Does your produce always go bad before you can eat it? Grab these helpful items below.
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Amazon
Give your leafy greens space
You know the drill: You buy those square boxes packed full of spring mix or spinach only to have it turn to brown slime. Leafy greens over-ripen (and then go bad) more quickly when they're packed together without air and something to absorb the condensation, according to Rece Hogerheide, the executive chef at the Daxton Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan. He recommends keeping your greens in larger containers, letting them breathe and putting a paper towel at the bottom to soak up extra water.
Promising review: "I was having the hardest time keeping my veggies fresh for longer than a few days. Once I got this it kept my asparagus fresh and edible longer than a week. Definitely a must have!" — Tanya
Amazon
Embrace air-tight clear, stackable containers
As noted above, keeping produce in store containers can make them physically go bad quicker. However, from a more mental perspective, Dr. Charissa Chamorro, a New York City-based clinical psychologist, said that keeping fruits and veggies in their containers in the fridge makes them less enticing, and therefore you may not think to grab them — letting them rot in the back as you reach for a pantry snack. She recommends giving your produce a wash and doing any sort of peeling and chopping right after grocery shopping. Then, you can store the washed and chopped produce in clear, stackable containers. "If you can see it and it doesn’t take any extra prep work or planning, you’re that much more likely to use it,” Chamorro previously told HuffPost.
Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter. She's able to store any food items without any stains or and residue left behind. The airtight food storage are just an extra plus as not only do you snap and push down but they also have clamps to keep food more fresh and also prevent rancidity. These make her so much more brilliant ideas for organizing kitchen cabinets and make her fridge look great when putting her fruit and meals inside for the kids to be able to grab with no issues and it's easy for the kids to microwave meals." — Fancy
Our Place
Prep and reheat veggies in a jiffy
If you're looking to step up your meal prep, this set of three high-quality oven- and microwave-safe glass food containers are modeled after classic take-out containers and have universal lids that fit on each size. They're a great, air-tight place to store fresh veggies to keep them crisp, and can also hold leftovers for easy reheating.
Promising review: "Love how food stay fresher in these containers. Prep is also easier." — Kathie K.
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Prep your groceries and have them ready to cook or freeze
Stasher's reusable silicone bags are a kitchen game-changer. Not only can they go in the fridge, freezer and microwave, they're effortless to use, super easy to take with your to school or work and have a tight seal to keep produce fresh. After chopping and washing your fruits and veggies, you can use these to freeze them so they're ready when you're cooking. Or, you can use them to pre-pack snacks and lunch items for busy mornings.
Promising review: "Easy to open keeps food fresh and visible. They freeze real well, you can extract air and seal them up with a squeeze. I am so pleased with this entire product line I have them all. Easy to use, and clean, dishwasher safe is right." — Melissa M
Amazon
Keep your herbs fresh, too
Fresh herbs add so much to a home-cooked meal, yet they always seem to go bad almost overnight. This handy container holds water in the bottom and stores your herbs vertically, giving them hydration without too much open air. Reviews say it keeps herbs fresh for literally weeks and can go in the dishwasher.
Promising review: "I really like this product and have bought two more for Christmas presents this year. The herbs stay fresh for weeks!" — Kindle customer
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Swap plastic wrap for these reusable seals
If you hate using plastic wrap or always find that air still seems to seep in and dry out your half-cut onions or lemons, you'll love this set of reusable silicone food sealers. They wrap right around your cut produce to keep it fresh during the week.
Promising review: "These work great for keeping vegetables fresh in the fridge." — Craig Maher
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Be diligent with meal planing and grocery lists
Though it may seem tedious, being organized with what you're cooking for the week and what you need to pick up at the store will likely keep you from forgetting about that sad head of broccoli you just found in the crisper. If you can buy the exact produce you need, you'll be sure to use it. Keeping a running grocery list like this one can ensure you're not double-buying celery when you already have some.
Promising review: "This is perfect if you struggle with food going bad or not getting used in time it is perfect for organizing!" — Claudia Chaparro
Amazon
Keep a running list of what's in the fridge
Another great option is keeping a list of everything that's currently in your fridge. This way, you won't find yourself standing in front of the open refrigerator trying to remember what you do and don't have. If you see cucumber and tomato on the white board, you know what's in your fridge and you're more likely to use it.
Promising review: "I really love this little whiteboard. I put it on my fridge and it adhers perfect with a good strong hold. I use it to write out our weekly meals, keep track of groceries we need to restock and things I need to get done for the week. It's made me more organized without a bunch of random pads of paper. I didn't need markers but I like the 3 these came with which stick on the fridge as well. Also comes with an eraser. Didn't know I'd be so excited about a silly little whiteboard." — LLV
Amazon
Let your produce rest in a cabinet hammock
If you struggle with object permanence and completely forget about things that aren't in your direct line of sight, your produce may go bad because you just forget you have it. Something like this adorable fruit hammock warms up your kitchen while letting you see your fruits and veggies hanging out.
Promising review: "This is so cute and super convenient for keeping fruit off the counter in our small apartment kitchen! Highly recommend!" — Amazoniac
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Have a centerpiece-worthy fruit bowl
If an old-school fruit bowl is more your style, this eye-catching metal option still lets you see all your food so you won't have one rotten lemon in the bottom of the bowl.
Promising review: "This was just what we need for safely keeping our fruits on the counter. It is constructed to allow just enough airflow to keep the fruit from going bad too quickly, and it is slim enough to easily put away in a cabinet when unused. Use this and get a separate hook for your bananas for a great combination." — Glenn J Mentel
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Turn sad produce into a yummy smoothie
When in doubt, make a smoothie. You may not feel compelled to eat a handful of softer berries or a riper banana, but throw them in a smoothie with some peanut butter and yogurt and you're good to go.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this blender. Bought it to make smoothies and shakes so that I can eat more fruits/veggies. I use it every day using either fresh or frozen fruits. It’s powerful enough to blend frozen fruits quickly. Would recommend this for anyone changing their diets or using it for their existing work out recipes." — Jaime Valdez
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Or squeeze out the good stuff with a juicer
If smoothies aren't your thing, you may find that juicing at home helps you make use of produce that's on the brink of going bad. When you need to use up some lemons or a couple of oranges, you may be able to save the juice in an airtight container in your fridge or freezer longer than the actual fruit itself.
Promising review: "This juicer is amazing, fits perfect on a counter top or wherever. Easy clean up. Very powerful makes a full 64 ozs of juice just add whatever fruit or vegetables you are juicing for the day. Love it recommend it for first time juicers starting out like myself!" — Consumer Shopper
Amazon
Consider pickling or preserving
To keep your produce extra long and have a fun home project, too, you may enjoy pickling, preserving and/or fermenting in these air-tight glass jars. Make kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled onions, jam and anything else your heart desires. Reviews also say they're great for storing fresh fruits and veggies and look super cute in your fridge.
Promising review: "Perfect for what I was looking for. Keeps our produce fresher longer and is dishwasher safe." — Mike
