Cleaning Fruit

Fruits that are eaten with their skins may be washed gently in cold or warm water but should never be left to soak. Water encourages rotting in soft fruits, so avoid washing delicate fruits like berries (unless they are very sandy). Some fruits, such as apples and citrus fruits, are preserved with an edible wax that can usually be removed by scrubbing the fruit under running water. Note Most modern pesticides used on fruit cannot be eliminated by washing. However, peeling fruit usually reduces contamination.