How To Wash Grapes To Remove Dirt and Pesticides, According to Two Experts

Most fruit is relatively easy to clean. Usually, it’s enough to wash it under running water. But grapes seem tougher. There are just so many of them, and I worry about actually making sure all of them are clean. I spoke to some experts to find out the best way to deal with grapes, and to my surprise, they told me that’s easier than I think.

In fact, a thorough rinse is actually a great grape-cleaning option, says registered dietitian and author Melanie Marcus. “The best way to wash grapes is to rinse them under cold running water while rubbing them gently to remove dirt and residues,” she says. 

There’s no need to use soap, detergent, or a commercial produce wash, says the FDA. There’s no proof that these products are any more effective than water, and because fruits, including grapes, can be porous, they can absorb these products and make you sick when you eat them. 

How To Give Grapes a Deeper Clean

If you really want to make sure your grapes are clean, soak them in a baking soda solution. Use one teaspoon of baking soda in two cups of water, suggests Xiaonan Lu, PhD, professor at McGill University and member of the Institute of Food Technologists’ Food Microbiology Division. Soak them for about 15 minutes, then rinse them thoroughly under cool, running water.

“Baking soda is particularly effective at removing pesticide residues,” says Lu, who also suggests distilled white vinegar for cleaning grapes. “You can also soak the grapes in a solution of one part vinegar to three parts water for 10 to 15 minutes. This method helps inactivate certain bacteria and remove some pesticides,” he says.

Wait To Wash Your Grapes

Don’t clean grapes as soon as you get them home from the store. Instead, store them unwashed in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to help them last longer. “It’s best to wait to wash grapes until just before you’re ready to eat them,” Marcus says. “Washing them too early can lead to quicker spoilage.”

If you’re dead set on washing them right away, be sure to pat the grapes dry with a paper towel before storing them. Moisture encourages mold and bacteria to grow. Drying them will help them last longer. Of course, if you’re going to eat them right after you wash them, there’s no need to dry them first.

How Long Can Grapes Last?

If you store grapes correctly, they should last for quite a while. “Grapes can last in the refrigerator for up to two weeks if stored in their original packaging in the crisper drawer, unwashed,” says Marcus.

The original packaging is typically a perforated bag that allows air to circulate. If you put grapes in another container, be sure it’s only loosely covered. Grapes need good airflow so that condensation doesn’t build up. If you store them in an airtight container, that doesn’t give them breathing room.

Then be sure to store them in the crisper drawer, says Lu, “where humidity levels are lower and temperatures are consistent.”