How to Clean Strawberries with Vinegar

I love using vinegar to clean strawberries - it's the best way to kill off mold spores and preserve them a bit longer.

If you are concerned the strawberries will taste like vinegar, do not worry - the vinegar solution is diluted enough in the water that it doesn't leave behind any sour flavor. For every four cups of water, you'll use just one cup vinegar.

This method of vinegar washing will work with all kinds of fresh fruit - it's perfect for cleaning delicate berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Jump to:

• What You'll Need
• How to Clean Strawberries
• The Best Way to Store Strawberries
• Strawberry FAQs
• How to Clean Strawberries with Vinegar
• More Great Produce Guides

What You'll Need

Here are the items you'll need to clean your strawberries.

1. Fresh Strawberries
2. Large Bowl
3. Enough Water to Cover Berries
4. White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
5. Fine Mesh Strainer (optional, not required)
6. Paper Towel or Kitchen Towel

How to Clean Strawberries

Follow these easy steps to clean your unwashed berries.

The ratio is 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water, so fill your bowl with enough water to cover the strawberries when they are in the strainer (in my case this was 6 cups of cool water) and then pour in vinegar (I used 2 cups of vinegar).

Place unwashed strawberries in the strainer in a single layer, so they are submerged in water. They may float slightly - this is okay, you can flip them a few times while they soak.

Allow the strawberries to soak in the vinegar water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove the strainer from the water and dispose of the mixture of vinegar and water. Run the strawberries under some cold tap water to rinse off any excess vinegar and then place them on a towel to dry.

If you have a salad spinner, you can use it to dry excess water off the fresh berries as well!

Once the strawberries have dried, store them in the refrigerator or enjoy them immediately.

The Best Way to Store Strawberries

Whole strawberries can be stored in a colander in the refrigerator. Line the colander with a piece of clean paper towel.

They can also be stored in an airtight container or glass jar. I recommend making sure they are completely dry before placing them in an airtight container.

Cut strawberries should always be stored in an airtight, lidded container.

Strawberry FAQs

Is it better to clean strawberries with vinegar or baking soda?

You can use baking soda or vinegar to clean your strawberries, but they should not be used together. Mixing vinegar and baking soda creates a chemical reaction that makes them both ineffective at cleaning your berries.

If you want to use both, clean your berries by soaking them in several cups of water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda for 5 minutes, rinse the berries under clean water, then soak them in the vinegar wash.

Do you need to wash store-bought strawberries before eating them?

Yes, no matter where they're from, you should wash strawberries before eating them.

Grocery store strawberries have likely been exposed to pesticides and fertilizers, packed for storage and sale, and have been handled in the store. It's worth it to spend a few minutes cleaning your berries to make sure there is no pesticide residue, dirt, tiny bugs, or mold spores.

Do you need to wash organic strawberries before eating them?

Yes, all strawberries, whether or not they're organic or from the farmers market, should be washed before eating. Even organic berries have been fertilized, handled, and packed for shipping and sale.

Does vinegar-soaking strawberries stop them from molding?

Yes, because vinegar is an acid it prevents the growth of bacteria and fungus, that includes mold spores. Washing your berries in a vinegar bath will keep them fresher longer - I find they last up to 5 to 7 days longer in the fridge!

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