How to Clean Strawberries: 3 Tips for Washing Strawberries

Whether you've bought fresh, organic strawberries from a farmer's market or strawberries from the grocery store, you should always wash strawberries before snacking on them or cooking with them. Unwashed fresh berries (or any fresh produce) can have dirt, bacteria, or even tiny insects living on or in them, not to mention pesticide residue on the fruit’s skin, which can lead to foodborne illness. Here are a few methods to rely on when you want to clean a box of strawberries.

1. 1. Simple sink rinse: The simplest and quickest way to wash strawberries is to rinse each berry thoroughly with cold, running tap water. Place your strawberries in a colander, then run them under cold water as you rub each strawberry gently to remove lingering dirt. Pat your strawberries dry with a paper towel, and eat them immediately or use them in a strawberry recipe like strawberry rhubarb pie or strawberry cobbler.
2. 2. Vinegar wash: If your strawberries were commercially produced, it’s highly likely that they’ve been sprayed with pesticides. The most effective way to clean pesticide residue off of strawberries is to submerge them in a vinegar bath. In a bowl, mix four parts water with one part white vinegar, then let the strawberries soak in the bowl for 20 minutes. Rinse the strawberries thoroughly with fresh cold water to clean off the vinegar.
3. 3. Baking soda rinse: If you don’t have vinegar on hand, you can soak your strawberries in a baking soda and water solution to clean them. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to four cups of water, and soak your strawberries in a large bowl for five minutes. Then rinse your strawberries with cold running water and pat them dry.
4. 4. Saltwater rinse: Using salt water to clean your strawberries is a great way to remove fruit fly larvae from the inside of your organic fruit. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in every cup of warm water you're using. Allow the water to cool completely, then soak your strawberries in the cool water for 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.

Here are a few tips to follow when you’re cleaning off your fresh strawberries.

1. 1. Wash your hands before cleaning. You don’t want to clean your strawberries only to contaminate them with your unwashed hands. Before you handle any fresh fruits or veggies, always wash your hands.
2. 2. Only wash your fruit before you’re about to enjoy it. Wash your fruit just before you’re about to eat it or cook with it. Washing your strawberries and storing them in the fridge can lead to your fruit getting soggy or spoiling.
3. 3. Discard any too-soft berries. As you’re washing all of your strawberries, look for ones that have too-soft skin or bruises. Discard the moldy or mushy berries, which are already turning bad.

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