|
Learn how to wash fruits and vegetables the right way with simple chef-approved tips. Discover what to use, what to avoid, and how to keep produce fresh. Published 08/04/2025 Written by: Victoria Darnell  Have you ever brought home beautiful strawberries, crisp lettuce, or fresh apples and wondered… Should I wash these with vinegar? Baking soda? Produce wash? Or is plain water enough? As a private chef, this is one of the most common kitchen questions I hear. Properly washing produce isn't just about removing dirt—it also helps reduce bacteria, wash away pesticide residue, and prepare your fruits and vegetables for cooking or eating. The good news? You don't need expensive produce sprays or complicated techniques. Here's exactly how I wash fruits and vegetables in my own kitchen. Why Washing Produce Matters Even produce that looks perfectly clean has often traveled through farms, packing facilities, grocery stores, and multiple hands before reaching your kitchen. Washing helps remove:
While washing doesn't sterilize produce or remove every pesticide, it's one of the easiest food safety habits you can build. The Biggest Mistake People MakeOne of the biggest mistakes I see is washing produce with dish soap. Don't do it. Fruits and vegetables are porous and can absorb soap residue. Food safety experts recommend washing produce with clean running water instead. Another mistake? Washing berries the moment you get home. Moisture causes berries to spoil much faster. Instead, store them dry and wash them right before you're ready to eat them. My Chef's Method for Washing Produce Most Fruits and VegetablesExamples:
Simple is often best.  Leafy GreensExamples:
Leafy greens trap dirt between their leaves. I fill a large bowl (or a clean sink) with cool water and gently swish the leaves around. Any sand or dirt sinks to the bottom while the greens float. Lift the greens out instead of pouring the water over them, otherwise the dirt goes right back onto the leaves. Repeat if needed until the water stays clean. A salad spinner is one of my favorite kitchen tools because it removes excess water quickly and helps greens stay fresh longer.  Strawberries and Other Berries Berries are delicate, so they need a little extra care. Wait until you're ready to eat them before washing. Then:
If I know I'll be using them within a day or two, I'll sometimes soak them briefly in a vinegar solution (about 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water), rinse well with fresh water, and dry them completely before storing. This can help slow mold growth for some berries, but the key is making sure they're thoroughly dried afterward.  MushroomsMushrooms act like tiny sponges. Instead of soaking them in water, wipe them clean with a damp paper towel or soft brush. If they're especially dirty, give them a quick rinse and dry immediately before cooking. Do You Need Produce Wash?In my opinion, most home cooks don't. Clean running water works well for everyday washing. Commercial produce washes haven't consistently been shown to clean produce better than water, so I save my money for quality ingredients instead. 
|
AuthorHi, I’m Victoria—the baker, blogger, and behind the scenes kitchen nerd here at Scratch Crafted Meals. I believe that cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated it just takes a few smart tricks and a sprinkle of confidence. In this corner of the blog, I share the kitchen hacks I use in my own home to save time, reduce waste, and get the most out of everyday ingredients. Whether you're learning how to store homemade bread or finding ways to make grocery shopping smoother, you’ll find simple tips that actually work in real life kitchens (especially the busy ones!). When I’m not baking sourdough or testing a new cookie recipe, you can find me writing about the small, clever ways we make life more delicious one smart shortcut at a time. Archives
July 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed