How To Wash Blueberries To Remove Dirt and Pesticides, According to an Expert

Blueberries always have that white dusty coating. It’s actually a natural, waxy protection, but it can make you wonder how clean they are. Blueberries are on the “Dirty Dozen,” a list compiled by the Environmental Working Group of produce that is most likely to have pesticides.

Knowing that, is it enough to just rinse them under running water?

Why It’s Important to Wash Blueberries

Blueberries can be subject to fungal infections just because of the fact that they are bunched. “These bunches can trap water between the berries (similar to what happens on grape bunches) and this provides the moisture needed by the molds to grow,” says Gunnar Sigge, head of the department of food science at Stellenbosch University in South Africa and member of the Institute of Food Technologists’ food microbiology division. “This, together with possible attack by insects, are probably the main reasons why farmers use pesticides.”

Washing blueberries thoroughly can remove much of the bacteria, dirt, pesticides, and insects that might be lingering on the fruit. Washing away harmful bacteria can lower your chances of getting a foodborne illness.

Ingesting small amounts of pesticides usually doesn’t do much short-term harm, but small amounts of pesticides can add up and lead to possible health issues. “Washing all fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, is thus recommended to lower the intake over many years of small amounts of pesticides,” Sigge says.

Is Rinsing Enough?

Washing blueberries under cool, running water is the best option to clean them, says Sigge. Be sure to shake them gently in a colander to make sure all the berries are rinsed.

“The running water will wash off dirt, small insects, bacteria, and pesticides,” says Sigge, who points out that it’s important to note this will probably remove most, but not all, of any contaminants.

“Several seconds under the running water should be sufficient, and generally it is not necessary (or very practical) to wash each berry separately,” he says.

Vinegar or Baking Soda

If you really want to get your berries clean, try washing them in a solution with vinegar or baking soda. Mix one part white distilled vinegar with about three parts water. Soak berries for about a minute or spray the mixture on the berries. Rinse well.

For baking soda, mix about one teaspoon of baking soda for every two cups of water. Swish the berries in the mixture and let them soak for a few minutes. Then rinse well.

“Washing blueberries or fruits with vinegar or baking soda has been shown to have positive results, especially if you’d like to extend their shelf-life a little bit,” says Sigge. “The blueberries should then obviously be rinsed with running water afterwards to remove any traces of vinegar or baking soda, which will wash off easily.”

Be sure to let the blueberries dry or pat them with a clean paper towel if you’re going to put them back in the refrigerator. Because extra moisture can encourage mold growth, it’s best to wait to wash them until right before you use them.

Never use detergent or commercial produce spray. These could damage the skin of berries and change the overall taste.