It’s common knowledge that eating fruits and vegetables is good for your health. An analysis conducted by Harvard in 2021 states that consuming at least two servings of the former and three servings of the latter per day—combined with proteins, whole grains and legumes—lays the groundwork for a balanced diet. While everybody is different, this is generally good advice to follow.
But, there’s a catch: Every year, the Environmental Working Group releases a list of 12 foods with the most pesticide residue. Known as the Dirty Dozen, these fruits and vegetables can be potentially unsafe to eat if not washed correctly. For 2025, the list comprises strawberries, peaches, grapes, cherries, nectarines, pears, apples, blackberries, spinach, potatoes, blueberries and leafy greens like kale, collard and mustard.
So, what does this mean for you? Whenever possible, buy organic produce to limit your exposure to pesticides. If, however, buying organic isn’t an option, Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, who earned his PhD in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has some tips and tricks for how to approach the Dirty Dozen.
“While commercial produce washes exist, studies show that water alone is effective when used correctly,” said Dr. Le. He added that leafy greens should be rinsed under cold water and rubbed thoroughly by hand; berries and soft-skinned fruits like grapes and cherries should be “gently agitated” under cold water; apples and pears can be either rinsed or soaked; peaches and nectarines can be rinsed under cold water or soaked in a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water); and root crops require scrubbing.
Dr. Le’s advice is easy to follow when you bring his pro-approved tools into your home. Whether vegetable brushes or salad spinners, washing the Dirty Dozen will become a whole lot easier with these Amazon finds.
Pro-Approved Tools to Wash Produce
OXO Good Grips Vegetable Brush
Amazon
Dr. Le always uses this brush when washing root vegetables. With “firm nylon bristles that effectively remove dirt from crevices without damaging produce,” he finds it to be an inexpensive solution to ensuring his potatoes are as pesticide-free as possible. Over 15,400 Amazon shoppers agree, with one writing that they use theirs to wash “carrots, sweet potatoes, even ginger—and it’s held up great after multiple washes.” They added that they “didn’t know” they needed it, but now they use it “constantly.”
OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner
Amazon
Yes, you can use a salad spinner to wash leafy greens, but it’s also editor Kristin Montemarano’s favorite way to wash berries. With a bowl and a built-in colander, it’s easy to act on Dr. Le’s advice to “gently agitate” berries and thin-skinned fruit under water. Simply fill the bowl with water, move the fruit around with your hand and lift the colander to let them dry when you’re done. Dr. Le added that all produce should be thoroughly dried with a towel before storing to keep from spoiling.
OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper
Amazon
Dr. Le also recommended OXO’s GreenSaver Produce Keeper to prolong the life of produce after washing, noting that it has an “enhanced carbon filter that traps and absorbs ethylene gas, and an elevated colander that lifts produce up and away from the container walls to promote airflow from all sides and prevent spoilage.” What’s more, this handy food storage container is available in three sizes (5 quarts, 4.3 quarts and 1.6 quarts), so you can easily store everything from tiny, round blueberries to long, thin asparagus stalks.
