Learn How To Clean Strawberries in 4 Different Ways

A dish of ripe strawberries is the perfect summertime treat. As the temperature rises, this or a strawberry smoothie is the best way to keep cool.

Despite how tasty they are, you may not be into cleaning them first. Still, you should wash strawberries since doing so removes the dirt and pesticides that may impede their nutritional value. Discover how to clean strawberries in the following guide:

Buying organic strawberries on Instacart is a good idea if you’re looking for pesticide-free fruit. Nonetheless, you’ll still need to cleanse them to get rid of dirt or insects. The reason is that the trade-off for using no pesticides increases the risk of pests in the food you eat.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Driscoll's Organic Strawberries (16 oz)

Thunder Group Double Stainless Steel Medium Round Mesh Strainer With Wooden Handle (6 in)

TOPS 100% Pure Baking Soda (16 oz)

Morton Plain Salt, 26 Ounce (26 oz)

Weis Quality White Distilled Vinegar (32 fl oz)

Farberware Bowl (1 each)

Prepping the way

Always do the following before washing strawberries:

Toss Mildewed Strawberries  

Throw away any strawberries that have become mushy while you’re cleaning them. Mildew, insects, and bacteria may thrive in soft strawberries. Inspect for tiny cuts on strawberries if you aren’t going to consume them right away. If the strawberries are affected, mold will grow more rapidly and spread to other berries.

Cleanse surfaces and tableware

Be sure to clean any surfaces strawberries may come into contact with, especially since countertops are often exposed to bacteria. Don’t forget to clean the tableware where the washed strawberries will be placed. 

How to clean strawberries 

Water may be the most common way to clean strawberries, but there are others too. Here are the various methods you could use during the strawberry season:

1. Use water

 A water spritz is an efficient method for cleaning strawberries. It also happens to be the quickest.

• Strawberries should be washed in cool water for a few minutes in a strainer.
•  Brush your fingers over each strawberry firmly to remove any grime.
• Take the strawberries out of the strainer, dry them off, and enjoy! 

2. Baking Soda 

Baking soda is another time-tested option for cleaning strawberries. Here’s what you need to do:

• Wash the strawberries in a strainer before using baking soda to clean them. 
• To remove any remaining dirt from the berries, rinse them under cold running water.
• Give the strawberries a little wipe with your hands.
• Add a teaspoon of pure baking soda to two cups of water and mix well. 
• Allow the strawberries to rest in some water for ten minutes.
• Transfer the strawberries to a sieve and give them a thorough rinsing under cold running water.  
• We recommend eating or cooking the strawberries as soon as possible after drying them.

3. Make a saltwater solution

Miniscule insects have been known to make their habitats in strawberries. This is a reality that can’t be avoided. Before consuming strawberries, soak them in salt and water for 10 minutes to eliminate any lingering pests. Here’s an effective saltwater cleansing method. 

• Prepare a mixture of three tablespoons of salt and three glasses of tepid water.
• Wait until the water has cooled down to room temperature.
• The berries should be soaked for ten minutes in the cooled water.
• Transfer the strawberries to a sieve to drain.
• Rinse the strawberries thoroughly in cold water for two minutes.
• Pat the strawberries until the excess moisture has dried.

During the short soak, the salt diminishes in the water, so the strawberries don’t take in any saltiness. The salt that may have accumulated on the strawberries’ skins will be washed away in the final washing.

4. Vinegar submersion

Vinegar, a modest ruler of cleaning, is a true powerhouse. Everything is usually immaculate from the microwave to the dishwasher after using this ingredient. It’s also safe enough to use on tender crops like strawberries, allowing you to wash away any pesticides or other toxins that may have accumulated on the skins of the fruit. Always use white distilled vinegar for cleaning strawberries as it is, sans coloring agent. When cleaning strawberries with vinegar, adhere to the following method: 

• Rinse the strawberries in a sieve under flowing tap water to flush out any particles or debris. 
• Fill a big basin or mixing bowl with five cups of water and one cup of vinegar.
• Douse the strawberries in the vinegar and water mixture and swish them around with your fingers.
• Soak them in the vinegar solution for ten minutes. 
• Drain the strawberries in a strainer and wash them under cool water.

As a result of rinsing, the strawberries won’t have a chance to take on any of the vinegar’s taste, and the last rinse will also remove any remaining vinegar from the skins. Don’t forget to dry the strawberries thoroughly and use them right away. 

Final thoughts: Preserving unwashed strawberries

Now that you know how to clean strawberries, it’s time to learn how to store the ones you won’t be eating immediately. Strawberries will deteriorate more rapidly if you wash them beforehand since you’re adding moisture they didn’t have before. It’s, therefore, important to know how to properly store and preserve strawberries if you have any that you don’t plan to consume immediately. 

When storing unwashed strawberries in the fridge, it’s best to wrap each strawberry in a paper towel or dishcloth to absorb any excess liquid.  This is a great technique to preserve exceptionally fresh strawberries for several days. Find everything you need to store and clean strawberries on Instacart today. 

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