5 Ways to Wash Pesticides off Fruits and Vegetables

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Learn how to wash pesticides off fruits and vegetables with this guide, featuring five effective ways to clean fresh produce when organic options aren’t available.

In recent years, consumers have become more aware of the need to avoid pesticides, driving a noticeable rise in organic food sales.

Each year, the EWG releases its Dirty Dozen list, highlighting the fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide contamination. However, for some of these foods, going organic may be too costly, or growing them at home could be impractical.

So, let’s explore the best methods to wash away pesticides and keep your fruits and vegetables as clean as possible.

Try one or more of these five methods to remove unwanted pesticides from your fruits and greens.

1. Use Plain Water (With Salt)

It may sound simple, but thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables with warm water can help remove a significant amount of surface pesticides.

The problem is that many people either skip this step altogether or don’t do it properly. I used to be the same way, until I made a conscious effort to improve my washing routine.

For even better results, try adding some salt. The best method is to soak your produce in a bucket or sink filled with a 10% saltwater solution for about 20 minutes.

Some people add a small amount of detergent or dish soap, but I wouldn’t recommend this. While it can be effective, there’s a risk that traces of detergent could be absorbed by the produce, and that’s definitely not what we want.

2. Use Vinegar

Vinegar is highly effective for removing bacteria and can also help break down the waxy coating often found on fruits like apples.

The ideal vinegar-to-water ratio is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Simply fill a spray bottle with this solution and spray it directly on your fruits and vegetables. After spraying, rinse them thoroughly under running water.

For even better results, you can soak your produce in the vinegar-water solution for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing.

Here’s a simple DIY produce cleaner recipe using vinegar:

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 cup water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, and you’re ready to clean. It works like a charm!

3. Use a Commercial Fruit Cleaner

Another option is to use a commercial fruit cleaner, readily available online or in grocery stores.

These cleaners are designed to remove pesticides, wax, and up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria. Just be sure to choose a product made with natural ingredients and steer clear of ammonia-based cleaners.

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4. Use Baking Soda

You can easily make a DIY produce cleaner using baking soda as the key ingredient.

Here’s a simple recipe that works well for me:

• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 cup / 250ml water

Spray the mixture onto your fruits and vegetables, let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water.

As you can see, homemade cleaners are quick to prepare, and surprisingly effective!

5. Peeling

This may seem obvious, but peeling is still one of the most effective ways to remove pesticides.

Many fruits, such as apples, pears, nectarines, and peaches, are ideal for peeling, making it an easy solution when other methods aren’t practical.

However, be sure to wash the fruit before peeling, as unwashed skins can transfer pesticides and bacteria to the flesh.

All that said, I have to admit, I prefer eating fruit with the skin since it’s often the most nutritious part. For that reason, I usually stick to one of the other methods for cleaning my produce.

You might be surprised by how much pesticide residue can be found on some of our favorite fruits and vegetables. While pesticides play a role in farming, that doesn’t mean we should ignore their potential risks.

Thankfully, there are plenty of practical and affordable ways to wash pesticides off your produce. If you’re not eating organic, make it a habit to clean your fruits and greens—especially those on the Dirty Dozen list.

It’s also worth noting that organic farming can involve some pesticide use, but it’s much more regulated and limited. Most of the pesticides used in organic farming come from natural sources.