The Only Way To Wash Apples So They’re Actually Tidy

There are many delicious apple recipes to try, but nothing tastes quite as good as a fresh, crisp apple on its own. Each bite lets you savor the tart crispness and crunchy texture. But before heading out to an orchard and enjoying an apple fresh off the tree, it’s more crucial than ever to make sure your apples are washed.

All produce should be washed before being cut or consumed—and apples are no exception. Alabama-based dietitian Chelsea Edwards tells Southern Living it’s very uncomplicated to wash apples.

“Apples should be washed under cold running water for about 10 seconds before you eat them,” Edwards says.

But it’s worth noting, water speeds up the aging process for apples as the water is absorbed through the skin. 

“So wait until you’re ready to eat your apples to wash them,” Edwards says.

How To Store Apples

To maximize the lifespan of your apples, proper storage is crucial, too. Apples do best when stored in a crisper drawer in the refrigerator without any other fruit or vegetables in the same drawer. 

“They can last around six weeks when stored in the crisper drawer,” Edwards says.

Do Apples Need a Special Produce Wash?

You don’t need any special wash to tidy apples. 

“A produce brush can help remove anything on your apples if you feel like you need to do more than wash them under cold running water,” Edwards says. “A lot of fear mongering makes people feel like using just water isn’t enough to tidy produce. Social media often plays a role in disseminating incorrect information that fosters fear and typically tries to sell a product.”

How Do You Soak Apples To Remove Pesticides?

Edwards says that water on its own should do the trick, but those wanting to go the extra mile can utilize baking soda. 

“You can use a teaspoon of baking soda with two cups of water and submerge your apples for about 10 seconds to remove pesticides, but generally water and a produce brush will do the job,” she says.