Washing produce with vinegar or baking soda might seem like… sigh, just one more step—I get it. In reality, it’s a simple and effective method for removing dirt, certain pesticides, and some bacteria from your fruits and vegetables. Additionally, it helps eliminate mold spores, chemical residues, fungi, and yeast that may linger on the surface. And once you get into the habit of washing your produce this way, I promise it will quickly become just another part of your cooking routine!

Why Use Baking Soda or Vinegar to Clean Fruit?

While buying organic is ideal, I know it’s not always available or affordable—even for me. And while peeling fruits and veggies can remove some contaminants, it also strips away some of the most valuable minerals, fiber, and vitamins found in your produce.

That’s why I take the extra step of washing my produce with vinegar and/or baking soda—it’s an easy, natural way to clean produce without sacrificing the peel. And, unlike commercial produce washes, vinegar and baking soda are safe, non-toxic, and leave no harmful residues.

If you’re asking yourself, “Do I really need to clean my produce?” The answer is yes. Store-bought produce goes through quite a journey—harvesting, sorting, packaging, transportation—picking up dirt, contaminants, and even parasites along the way. And yes, even if you’re buying from a local farmer, you still need to wash it!

Bottom line: Wash your produce before you slice it or take that first bite!

Which is better? Water vs. Baking Soda vs. Vinegar

Washing Produce with Water

Rinsing produce under running water helps remove surface-level dirt, dust, and some microbes, but it doesn’t break down pesticide residues or kill certain bacteria as effectively as vinegar. Compared to baking soda, water is also less effective at removing wax coatings found on certain fruits and vegetables. That said, if water is all you have, it’s still an important step and effective—so don’t skip it!

Washing Produce with Baking Soda

Baking soda is particularly effective at breaking down synthetic wax coatings found on certain fruits like apples and cucumbers and removing dirt.

A study published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry also found that soaking produce in a baking soda solution can help remove certain surface pesticides like thiabendazole and phosmet more effectively than water alone. However, this study also noted that while baking soda works well on surface-level pesticides, it won’t remove chemicals that have penetrated deeper into the fruit.

And, while baking soda is great at removing dirt and pesticides from the surface, it’s less effective when it comes to removing certain bacteria that may be found on produce.

Washing Produce with Vinegar

A study found that rice vinegar was particularly effective in removing pesticide residues from leafy vegetables, reducing contamination more than water alone. Or take this study which found that using vinegar along with a “more vigorous washing step prior to consumption,” like a salad spinner, significantly reduced certain parasites!

Another study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that vinegar exhibited bactericidal effects against foodborne pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, making it a superior option for reducing microbial contamination on produce.

While the acetic acid in vinegar has antimicrobial properties that can help eliminate harmful bacteria and fungi, it’s important to note that no method removes 100% of contaminants.

So, what’s the most thorough clean? Try using both:

1. Soak in a baking soda solution to break down dirt and wax.
2. Rinse, then soak in vinegar to reduce bacteria and remove lingering contaminants.

How to Clean Produce with Baking Soda

What You’ll Need:

• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 4 cups of water
• A large bowl
• A strainer or colander

Instructions:

1. Fill a large bowl 4 cups of cold water.
2. Stir in 2 teaspoons of baking soda until fully dissolved.
3. Let your fruit sit in the solution for 10–15 minutes. Note: For softer fruits like berries, soak for only 5 minutes to avoid mushiness.
4. If you’re washing apples, cucumbers, sweet potatoes or anything with a tougher skin, rub them with your hands or a produce brush to remove any stubborn residue.
5. Rinse the produce under cold water to remove any leftover baking soda.
6. Pat dry with a clean towel or let it air dry before storing.

How to Clean Produce with Vinegar

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
• 4 cups of water
• A large bowl
• A strainer or colander

Instructions:

1. Fill a large bowl with about 4 cups of cold water.
2. Mix in 1 cup of vinegar.
3. Let your fruit sit in the vinegar solution for 10–15 minutes.
4. Run the produce under cold water to remove any lingering vinegar taste.
5. Pat dry with a clean towel or let it air dry before storing.

Use a Vegetable Brush

For root vegetables and tougher-skinned produce like sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and apples, I highly recommend a produce brush. Scrubbing them under running water with a stiff-bristled brush helps remove dirt, wax, and pesticides that soaking alone won’t always do.

Don’t Forget to Correctly Dry Your Produce!

Before storing your cleaned produce, make sure it’s completely dry to prevent mold and spoilage.

1. Use clean, reusable cotton or linen kitchen towels to pat fruit dry. You can use paper towels too, but they’re not the most eco-friendly option. 😉
2. Place washed produce, such as leafy greens, in a colander or on your clean kitchen towel and let it air dry completely. Note: I let my berries air dry on clean kitchen towel.
3. Keep produce fresh longer by using beeswax wraps or cloth produce bags instead of plastic. For root veggies, store them at room temperature in a wire basket.

So, Which Works Best?

At the end of the day, whether baking soda or vinegar is best depends on what you’re trying to clean.

• Concerned about pesticide residues, bacteria, or mold? Vinegar is your best bet.
• Trying to remove dirt and wax? Baking soda helps loosen dirt and break down wax on fruits like apples and cucumbers.
• Want the most thorough clean? Use both—start with baking soda to break down wax an dirt, then follow with vinegar to disinfect and remove lingering contaminants.

Of course, you can always just rinse with water and use a brush if that’s what works for you. But if you’re like me and want to reduce exposure to certain chemicals and remove synthetic wax, using vinegar and baking soda is a simple, natural, and effective way to get your produce even cleaner.

There’s still more research to be done on the best produce-washing methods, but baking soda and vinegar are an easy place to start when it comes to reducing pesticide exposure and keeping your food fresh.

Have you tried washing your fruit with baking soda or vinegar? Let me know in the comments below! 😊

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The Wise Consumer

Madeleine is a Franco-American podcaster and blogger on a mission to inspire and empower women to live healthier, more eco-friendly, and conscious lifestyles. On her blog/podcast, The Wise Consumer, she covers topics ranging from nutrition and recipes to ethical fashion and eco living tips. When not working Madeleine is either spending time with family, developing new recipes, or trail running.

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