The Summer Fruits and Veggies You're Probably Not Washing Enough

Summer produce season feels like a victory lap for your grocery cart, baskets of strawberries, peaches, and corn piled up like it’s a farmers market trophy.

But a quick rinse under the faucet might not be doing nearly as much work as you think, especially for some of the season’s most popular picks.

Here’s which summer favorites need a little more attention before they hit your plate.

Some Favorites Have Nowhere to Hide

Strawberries, grapes, and blueberries all share one inconvenient trait, since their thin, edible skin means pesticides can absorb straight into the flesh instead of sitting on the surface where a simple rinse could actually reach them.

Spinach Wins the Wrong Kind of Title

Spinach might seem harmless tossed into a summer salad, but it actually carries pesticide residue by weight higher than any other produce tested, according to the latest government data.

Most of that comes down to a neurotoxic insecticide called permethrin, which shows up on the majority of non organic spinach sold across the country.

A Quick Rinse Isn’t Always Enough

Food scientists recommend holding produce under running water for about 20 seconds, or soaking it for up to 20 minutes if you really want to cut down on residue.

For an extra boost, some researchers suggest adding baking soda or vinegar to the water for five to ten minutes, since both can help break down certain pesticides that plain water leaves behind.

Skip the Soap, Trust the Brush

Soap and commercial produce washes aren’t any more effective than plain water, despite how satisfying they feel to use.

Firm items like melons, cucumbers, and potatoes do better with a clean produce brush, scrubbed gently under running water instead of just dunked and called done.

None of this means you need to swear off your favorite summer fruit bowl. A slightly longer rinse and a quick scrub here and there go a long way toward making sure what you’re eating is mostly just, well, fruit.