Wash berries just before you eat them, not when you bring them home — moisture makes them spoil faster. Rinse them gently under cool running water in a colander or berry bowl; the US FDA advises plain running water, no soap or bleach. Don't leave soft berries soaking, then drain and pat them dry. Keep strawberries' green caps on until after washing so water doesn't get inside.
The four rules
- Wash late. Store berries dry and unwashed in the fridge; rinse only the portion you are about to eat.
- Running water, no soap. Cool tap water is enough. The FDA's advice for fresh produce is to rinse under running water and skip soap, detergent and bleach.
- Be gentle. Rubbing bruises raspberries and blackberries. Let the water do the work.
- Drain and dry. Tip them onto a clean towel or kitchen paper for a few minutes before serving or storing.
| Berry | How to rinse | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | Rinse with caps on, hull after | Water entering the hulled top |
| Blueberries | Rinse in a colander, roll on a towel to dry | Stems and soft berries |
| Raspberries / blackberries | Very gentle spray or swirl, no rubbing | Crushing; soaking |
| Grapes | Rinse on the stem, then pick | The white bloom is natural |
| Cherry tomatoes | Rinse and drain | Split skins |
Colander or berry bowl?
A colander works, but water drums straight down onto the top layer. A berry bowl with a centre cone spreads the tap water into a swirl around the fruit, which is gentler on soft berries, and its drain lets the water run out. Ceramic ones double as the serving bowl.
Solis Swirl Ceramic Berry Bowl
Glazed ceramic bowl with a swirl rinse cone and built-in drain. Rinse, drain, serve.
$19.99 — view product →
Keeping berries fresh
- Sort out any mouldy or crushed berries before storing — one spreads to the rest.
- Store unwashed in a shallow container lined with kitchen paper, in the fridge.
- Eat soft berries (raspberries, blackberries) first; blueberries and grapes keep longer.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash berries before storing them?
No. Store them dry and unwashed, and rinse just before eating.
Should I use soap or vinegar?
The FDA advises rinsing produce under plain running water without soap, detergent or bleach.
How do I stop raspberries going mushy when washing?
Rinse them very gently without rubbing or soaking, then drain and dry on a towel.
Do I hull strawberries before washing?
No — rinse with the caps on, then hull.
Written by the Solis Fortune editorial team. Specifications quoted are the published manufacturer figures for the products linked above; where a supplier publishes no figure we say so rather than estimate one. Regulatory summaries are general information, not legal advice — check the rules that apply where you live before you buy.