How To Wash Fruits & Vegetables To Remove Pesticides

Wondering what the best way to wash fruits and vegetables to remove pesticides is? Wonder no more! I’ve found the most effective way to do this, backed up by science.

Eating fruit and vegetables is a key element in leading a healthy lifestyle. However, many fruits and vegetables are grown using pesticides. After picking, these pesticides remain on the skin of fresh produce. Meanwhile, some pesticides can penetrate into the flesh of fruits and vegetables.

Some fruits and vegetables have a higher pesticide load than others. While buying organic food is one of the best ways to reduce the number of pesticides on the produce we buy, it can be cost-prohibitive to shop organically. This is particularly so with the ongoing cost of living crisis impacting household budgets across the country.

Thankfully, there are ways to remove pesticides from the skin of fruits and vegetables easily, effectively and cheaply, and backed up by science.

Scientists Say This Is The Best Way To Wash Fruits & Vegetables to Remove Pesticides

A 2017 scientific study by researchers at the University of Massachusetts, and published in the Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry, carried out research into washing fresh produce. Here they investigated the effectiveness of commercial and homemade washing agents in removing surface and internal pesticide residues from apples.

Interestingly this study established that pesticides that were found on the surface of the apples were most effectively removed by a common household ingredient. That ingredient being bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda). This was in comparison to using tap water or bleach.

Wondering about the science behind it? The chemical structure and slightly alkaline pH of bicarbonate of soda helps break down and degrade certain pesticide molecules – especially those commonly used on fruits like apples.

How To Wash Fruit & Vegetables To Remove Pesticides

According to this research, here are the best ways to wash your fruit and vegetables to remove pesticides. I’ve provided different methods, depending on how much produce you have to wash.

In each case, it’s best to wash your fruit and vegetables right before you plan to cook or eat them. This is because in many cases, moisture on your produce can cause it to go bad faster.

Washing Large Batches In The Sink

1. First, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any dirt and germs from your hands.
2. Next, clean your sink using a natural cleaning product – such as a non-toxic cleaning spray – to remove anything untoward in your sink.
3. Now, fill your sink with cold water – approximately half full.
4. Add three tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to the water, and agitate the water to dissolve the powder.
5. Place your fruit and vegetables in the water to wash them. Follow the instructions below for washing specific fruits and vegetables, before leaving them to soak for 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Finally, remove your fruit and vegetables from the water, and let them dry thoroughly before prepping or eating.

Washing Smaller Batches In A Bowl

1. First, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any dirt and germs from your hands.
2. Using a measuring jug, fill a clean bowl around half full with cold water. Make a note of how much water your bowl holds.
3. Next, add 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda for approximately every 450 ml of cold water you added to the bowl, and stir to dissolve.
4. Place your fruit and vegetables in the water to wash them. Follow the instructions below for washing specific fruits and vegetables, before leaving them to soak for 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Finally, remove your fruit and vegetables from the water, and let them dry thoroughly before prepping or eating.

Notes For Washing Specific Fruits & Vegetables

Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce or cabbage should be separated into their individual leaves before washing. This allows the bicarbonate of soda to get into all the nooks and crannies to remove surface pesticides.

Soft fruits and vegetables – such as strawberries, grapes or tomatoes – should be rubbed lightly with your fingers. This helps to gently loosen any chemical residue, dirt or wax – without damaging your produce.

Firm fruit and vegetables – think carrots, apples, potatoes, melon, or cucumber – can generally tolerate being scrubbed with a soft-bristle vegetable brush. This scrubbing action helps remove anything untoward on their surface.

What About Pesticides That Penetrate The Skin Of Produce?

The researchers of the study note that washing apples with bicarbonate of soda reduces pesticide levels mostly from the surface. They advised that peeling the apples is more effective in removing the penetrated pesticides.

However, they do note that many beneficial nutrients found in the apple peel will be lost. Apple peels contain 72% of the total amount of vitamin E and vitamin K contained within the apple. It also contains around half the total iron content, as well as all of the apple’s vitamin B9 content. Vitamin B9 is also known as folic acid.

With this information in mind, I would say that washing your fruit and vegetables to remove surface dirt and pesticides is sufficient.

What To Do If Soaking Produce For 12-15 Minutes Isn’t Practical

I’ll admit, soaking every single piece of fruit or vegetable for 12 to 15 minutes before you go to eat or cook with it isn’t always so practical. Putting barriers up to eating healthy food isn’t something I want to do either.

Simply soaking your fruit or veg for a minute or two in a little bicarbonate of soda, and giving it a scrub, admittedly may not be as effective as the longer soak time prescribed. However, it will remove some pesticides and dirt, and be clean enough to eat.

How To Tackle Waxy Coatings On Produce

If you’re looking for ways to remove wax coatings from your fresh fruit, then you may well be wondering if bicarbonate of soda can help with that.

Washing fruit with bicarbonate of soda can help loosen and remove some of the wax coating on your produce. However, I’ve found it doesn’t get rid of it entirely. Most commercial-grade waxes are designed to be long-lasting, and is applied after harvest to extend shelf life and keep the fruit looking glossy.

The bicarbonate soak wil help break down surface residues and makes it easier to gently rub off some of that wax with your fingers or a soft brush. But for particularly stubborn waxes, I’ve found a mix of warm water and mild washing up liquid tends to be more effective.

Why Pesticides Are Used On Fruit & Vegetables

Pesticides are used on fruits and vegetables for a variety of reasons. Mainly they are used to protect crops from insects, fungi, and weeds that can damage or destroy them.

Many farmers rely on these chemicals to maximise yields, reduce food loss, and ensure produce looks appealing for sale. A perfectly shaped apple or spotless lettuce leaf often owes its appearance to pesticide use.

However, pesticides are not without their controversy. Runoff from pesticides can contaminate land, water, and other plants. Their use can kill precious pollinators, such as bees, as well as other creatures, such as birds and fish. Pesticide use can also harm farmers, farmworkers, and local communities. Meanwhile overuse can even lead to resistant pests, making the problem worse.

Thankfully, alternatives do exist. Organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals, using natural predators and crop rotation instead. Techniques like companion planting or biopesticides – derived from plants or microbes – can also protect crops without the same environmental impact.

Other Action You Can Take

So grab some bicarbonate of soda and give your fruit a wash. Once you’ve done that, you can read up on the work of organisations such as Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK). This organisation promotes and campaigns for safe and sustainable alternatives to hazardous pesticides.

You can also check out the Good Food, Good Farming campaign. This is a campaign that calls for a radical transition of EU food and farming policies. Meanwhile, the Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds (RSPB) is also calling for responsible pesticide management.