Summer is peak strawberry season, but you can find this staple berry at grocery stores year round. Regardless of when you shop for strawberries, you’re probably wondering what the best way to wash them is for peak berry enjoyment. For best berry cleaning practices, we consulted Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN award winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal bestselling cookbook author of Up Your Veggies: Flexitarian Recipes for the Whole Family.

How to Wash Strawberries

It's pretty simple: Gently rinse the strawberries under cold water and pat dry.

Here, Amidor shares a step-by-step process for washing fresh strawberries.

Step 1: Wait to Wash Strawberries Until Ready to Eat

Do not wash strawberries or leave them out at room temperature until you’re ready to eat them.

Step 2: Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before handling food.

Step 3: Rinse Strawberries Under Cold Running Water

Gently rinse each fresh strawberry under cold, running water to remove any dirt or grit before eating. Washing strawberries with soap, detergent or commercial produce wash is not recommended.

Step 4: Trim Strawberries

Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh strawberries before preparing and/or eating. These areas are more susceptible to bacteria. Throw away any produce that looks rotten.

Step 5: Gently Pat Strawberries Dry

After washing, gently pat dry strawberries with a clean paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present on the surface.

For more info on other ways to wash fruit, check out our primer on The Right Way to Wash Fruit.

Washing Strawberries with Vinegar: Is It a Good Idea?

Amidor says that washing strawberries with vinegar is not a good idea as it can alter the flavor of the berries and potentially cause the strawberries to become mushy if left in the acidic solution too long. If you do opt to wash your berries using a vinegar solution, give them a quick dunk only. Head over to our story How to Wash Fruit with Vinegar for more info.

What about Washing Strawberries with Baking Soda?

“The FDA does not recommend using anything other than water in your washing routine of any fresh produce including strawberries,” Amidor says, noting that using baking soda can alter the flavor of the berries. “Some recipes may call for soaking produce in baking soda or vinegar, however, for both quality and safety this is not recommended.”

How to Make Fresh Strawberries Last Longer

To make your fresh strawberries last longer, Amidor reports that the California Strawberry Commission recommends refrigerating strawberries as soon as possible in the original clamshell or layering strawberries in an airtight container lined with a paper towel. “Right before eating and before preparing, rinse strawberries under cool, running water. Gently pat dry,” Amidor says. “Strawberries taste best served at room temperature.”

For more storage tips on keeping strawberries at their peak, check out our story The Best Way to Store Strawberries According to Food Network Experts.

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