26 August 2026

Can Washing Remove All Pesticide Residues From Fruit and Vegetables?

Washing fruit and vegetables is something many of us already do. But can washing with water, vinegar or a dedicated fruit and vegetable wash actually remove pesticide residues?

The answer depends partly on where those residues are.

Some pesticide residues remain on or near the surface of fruit and vegetables. Others can penetrate the surface or be absorbed into the plant itself. Once residues have moved into the produce, some may no longer be reachable by surface washing.

Not all pesticide residues behave in the same way

Pesticides are used in different ways when fruit and vegetables are grown, and they don't all behave in the same way once applied.

Some remain predominantly on or near the surface. Others can be absorbed into plant tissue. How much stays on the outside and how much penetrates the produce depends on factors including the pesticide used, the type of fruit or vegetable and its surface.

This matters when we wash our produce because washing can only help with what it can reach.

Can washing reduce pesticide residues?

Yes, it can.

Research looking at different household washing methods has found that washing can reduce some pesticide residues on fresh produce. How much is removed varies depending on the pesticide, the produce and the way it is washed.

So there isn't one percentage that tells us how much pesticide residue washing will remove from every apple, strawberry or bunch of grapes.

If residues are on the surface, washing may help reduce them. But that doesn't mean washing will remove every residue.

What if pesticide residues are inside the produce?

Some pesticides can penetrate the surface of fruit and vegetables or be absorbed into plant tissue. Once residues have moved beneath the surface, some may be beyond the reach of surface washing.

A study looking at pesticides on apples demonstrated this quite clearly. Researchers found that washing could remove pesticide residue from the surface, but some of the pesticide had penetrated into the apple peel and remained after washing. The systemic pesticide studied also penetrated further into the apple than the non systemic pesticide.

This highlights the difference between reducing pesticide residues on the surface and removing residues from within the produce. Washing can help with what is on the outside, but some residues that have moved beneath the surface may no longer be reachable.

It's also why claims that a fruit and vegetable wash can remove all pesticide residues should be considered carefully. If residues have penetrated or been absorbed into the produce itself, some may be beyond the reach of surface washing, regardless of the product being used.

Does that mean washing isn't worthwhile?

Not at all.

Pesticide residues are only one reason we wash fruit and vegetables.

Fresh produce can have soil, everyday dirt, oils, waxes and other residues on its surface. Washing is simply part of preparing it before we eat it.

Different washing methods may help with different things. The aim doesn't need to be making produce completely free of every possible residue. It's about cleaning what we can from the surface before eating or storing it.

What about pesticide residues in Australia?

Australia regulates agricultural and veterinary chemical residues in food through maximum residue limits, known as MRLs.

An MRL is the highest amount of a particular agricultural or veterinary chemical residue legally allowed in a food product sold in Australia. These limits are set for particular combinations of chemicals and foods and form part of Australia's food regulatory framework.

This is separate from washing fruit and vegetables at home. MRLs regulate the amount of residue legally permitted in food, while washing is something we can do as part of preparing fresh produce before eating it.

Where does Plantaera fit in?

Plantaera was formulated specifically as a fruit and vegetable wash.

It wasn't developed around removing one particular type of residue. It was designed to help clean the surface of fruit and vegetables, where there can be everyday dirt, oils, waxes and other residues.

Plantaera is a concentrated fruit and vegetable wash designed to help lift everyday dirt, oils, waxes and common pesticide residues from the surface of fresh produce.

Pesticide residues are just one part of that. Plantaera was developed as a dedicated washing step for fruit and vegetables, helping with the range of everyday surface residues that can be present before they are eaten or stored.

The words from the surface are important.

Some pesticide residues can penetrate or be absorbed into the produce itself, where surface washing may no longer reach them. That's why we believe it's important to be clear about what a fruit and vegetable wash is designed to do, rather than suggesting that washing can remove every pesticide residue.

The bottom line

Washing fresh produce can help reduce some pesticide residues on the surface, along with everyday dirt, oils and waxes that may be present.

But not all pesticide residues are the same. Some may penetrate or be absorbed into the produce itself, where they may be beyond the reach of surface washing.

Understanding that difference helps set realistic expectations about washing fruit and vegetables and why cleaning the surface is a worthwhile step before the fridge, the fruit bowl or the first bite.