The water rinse method is effective for all fruits and vegetables. However, some types of vegetables, including broccoli, lettuce leaves, or spinach, often require additional attention and cleaning. If you have packaged produce labeled “ready-to-eat,” “washed” or “triple washed,” do not re-wash. [1] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source For fruits and vegetables that have a skin, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that you wash them BEFORE you peel them. [2] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source Remove stickers from produce. It most likely won’t harm you to eat the sticker; however, this is not recommended[3] X Research source and it is best to remove them before washing. Otherwise, the part underneath the sticker will not be cleaned.
Keeping your workspace clean is especially important if you have peeled your produce without washing it. Bacteria from the outside of raw produce can be transferred to the inside when it is cut or peeled. [6] X Research source
You can use warm water, but it’s best used if you’re planning to cook the fruits and vegetables after washing. Place a colander in the sink to expedite the process of rinsing your produce. Because you can wash more than one thing at once, a colander is especially useful if you are cleaning fruit and vegetables that are loose, such as beans or fresh peas. Just a little rinsing is fine—you don’t need to overdo it. [9] X Expert Source Randall ChambersPersonal Chef Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.
Mushrooms need to be cleaned differently than other vegetables. If you rinse them too much or soak them water, they will become soggy. If you must rinse them, do it lightly, with just a sprinkle of water. Dry immediately and gently with paper towels. The best way to clean mushrooms is wipe them with a clean, just damp cloth or paper towel.
Use this method for fruits and vegetables with a lot of surface area (such as grapes), that are attached or packed tightly (like strawberries or blueberries) or have deep crevices (cauliflower, broccoli, and leafy greens).
This method is effective for grapes and other foods which have a lot of surface area and are tightly packed. Because they are immersed in water, the water can cover their entire outer surface, something that is considerably harder to do with just a rinse.
Leafy greens have their own particular method for cleaning. First, separate the leaves first. Then, soak the leaves and drain them in a strainer or colander. Repeat this process. The goal here is dilution. Once finished, dry with a clean towel or salad spinner. [14] X Research source Soaking all kinds of fruits and vegetables - not just your greens, but fruits like strawberries too - has recently become popular. Soaking is a restorative process that can revive your produce, enhance its taste and prolong its life. [15] X Research source
You can also used very clean cold tap water to clean produce instead of distilled water.
This has been shown to move pesticides and reduce - though not eliminate - bacteria. This solution may, however, affect texture and taste. [17] X Research source
Some brands include: Dr. Mercola’s Fruit and Vegetable Wash, Fit Organic Fruit and Vegetable Wash, Ozone Water Purifier XT-301, J0-4 Multi-Functional Food Sterilizer (Indoor Purification Systems, Layton, UT). Researchers at the University of Maine tested some of these products against a basic water wash and found no significant differences between a “fruit veggie wash” and a water wash. In fact, in some of their tests, the water wash was more effective in cleaning fruit from outside substances than the commercial washes. [18] X Research source
