Avoid Making This Mistake When Washing Fruit

Facts

Avoid Making This Mistake When Washing Fruit By Cheryl Kochenderfer Sept. 20, 2025 10:09 am EST

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Before biting into a crisp apple or tossing a handful of berries into your smoothie, it's important to wash your fruit first. A quick rinse isn't just about removing visible dirt. It helps clear away bacteria and pesticide residue you don't want to ingest. Even fruits you don't eat the peel of, like lemons or mangoes, should get a wash. After all, if you're cutting an entire watermelon without washing it, any contaminants sitting on the surface can transfer straight into the juicy flesh inside. But when you do wash fruit, skip the soap!

While it might feel instinctive to grab soap when you're already at the sink, it can actually do more harm than