Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients, but they don’t always arrive in your kitchen as clean as they look at the store. Before reaching your plate, produce may pass through farms, packing facilities, trucks, grocery shelves, and plenty of hands.
Dirt, bacteria, pesticide residue, and other debris can end up on the outside of produce along the way. Even foods with thick skins can transfer whatever is on the surface to your hands, knife, cutting board, or the inside of the fruit when you cut them.
For most produce, a rinse under cool running water is enough to remove dirt and surface residue. Here are 14 fruits and vegetables you should wash before eating or preparing.
Apples
Apples can have a thin food-grade wax coating that helps keep them fresh during storage and shipping. Dirt, dust, and other residue can collect on the surface, so give each apple a good rinse before eating or cutting it.
Related: The Dirtiest Fruits and Vegetables You’re Probably Eating
Leafy Greens
Lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, and other leafy greens can hold onto dirt between their leaves. Separate the leaves and rinse them well under cool running water before eating them, including greens sold as pre-washed.
Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can pick up dirt and other residue on their delicate surfaces. Rinse them under cool water right before eating, since washing them too early can leave extra moisture that speeds up spoilage.
Related: 15 Foods You Thought Were Vegetables but Are Actually Fruits
Grapes
Grapes grow in tight bunches, which give dirt and debris plenty of places to collect. Put them in a colander and rinse them under cool running water, gently rubbing the grapes with your hands.
Cucumbers
Many grocery store cucumbers have a thin wax coating that helps keep them fresh longer. Rinse the skin well and give it a light scrub before slicing or eating the cucumber.
Potatoes
Potatoes grow underground, so dirt can remain on the skin even after they’re harvested and packaged. Scrub them under running water before cutting so soil on the outside doesn’t end up inside the potato.
Related: 14 Fruits and Vegetables You Should Always Wash Before Eating
Carrots
Carrots also grow underground, and small bits of soil can remain on their surface after harvesting. Rinse and gently scrub them before eating or cooking to remove any leftover soil.
Bell Peppers
The smooth skin of a bell pepper can still carry dirt, bacteria, and other residue even when it looks spotless. Wash the pepper before cutting so anything on the outside doesn’t get pushed into the flesh by your knife.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are often eaten raw, so washing them before slicing or serving is a good habit. Rinse each tomato under cool running water and gently rub the skin to remove surface dirt and residue.
Mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms can have bits of soil or growing material stuck to their surfaces. Give them a quick rinse or wipe them with a damp paper towel instead of leaving them submerged in water for too long.
Fresh Herbs
Cilantro, parsley, dill, basil, and other fresh herbs can hide grit, dirt, and tiny insects between their leaves. Rinse them gently in cool water, then pat them dry with a clean towel before using them.
Melons
Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew have thick rinds, but that doesn’t mean they should go straight from the store to the cutting board. Rinse the outside before cutting, as your knife can transfer surface bacteria from the rind to the fruit.
Related: Fruits and Vegetables That Often Slip Through Without Proper Washing
Peaches and Nectarines
Peaches and nectarines can pick up dust, residue, and bacteria as they’re grown, transported, displayed, and handled. Rinse them under cool running water and gently rub the skin before eating or slicing them.
Pears
Pears are commonly eaten with the skin, so washing the outside is a good habit before taking a bite. Rinse them under running water and gently rub the surface to remove dirt and residue.
