What Is a Fruit and Vegetable Wash?

Fresh fruit and vegetables pass through many hands and environments before they reach our kitchens.

They are grown, picked, packed, transported, displayed and handled. By the time we bring them home, there can be dirt, natural oils and other everyday residues sitting on the surface.

Most of us already give fresh produce a rinse before eating it. But what does a fruit and vegetable wash actually do, and do you need one?

What is a fruit and vegetable wash?

A fruit and vegetable wash is a product specifically formulated for washing fresh produce.

It is used with water to help lift dirt, oils, waxes and common pesticide residues from the surface of fruit and vegetables before the produce is rinsed with fresh water.

Different products work in different ways, so it is worth checking both the ingredients and directions before using one.

Is water enough to wash fruit and vegetables?

Rinsing fresh produce under clean running water is a good place to start.

Water can remove loose dirt and material from the surface. But some residues can be more difficult for water alone to lift, particularly when oils or waxy surfaces are involved — something we look at more closely in is water enough to wash fruit and vegetables?

That is one of the reasons some people choose to add a fruit and vegetable wash to their routine.

It does not replace rinsing. It adds another step before the final rinse.

Why wash produce if you do not eat the skin?

It can still be worth washing.

Think about an avocado, melon or orange. You may not eat the outside, but your knife passes through the skin before reaching the part you do eat.

Washing produce before cutting it is a simple habit that can help reduce the transfer of surface dirt and residues with your hands, knife or cutting board.

Wash first. Cut second.

What about apples and other waxy produce?

Some fruit and vegetables naturally produce protective waxes, and food-grade coatings may also be applied to some produce after harvest.

These surfaces can behave differently from something loose like soil or dust.

That does not mean an apple needs to look or feel completely different after washing. The purpose is simply to clean the surface before eating or preparing it.

What about berries?

Berries are a little different because they are delicate and can deteriorate more quickly once wet.

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and similar fruit are generally best washed close to the time you plan to eat them rather than being left damp in the fridge.

After washing, rinse thoroughly and dry gently.

Should you wash fruit and vegetables before storing them?

It depends on the produce.

For some fruit and vegetables, washing ahead makes everyday life easier, particularly produce destined for lunchboxes, snacks and the fruit bowl.

For delicate produce, excess moisture during storage can shorten its life.

If you do wash produce ahead of time, drying it thoroughly before storing is important.

What should you look for in a fruit and vegetable wash?

Start with something designed specifically for fresh produce and follow its directions for use.

You may also want to consider how much product is required each time, whether it needs to be rinsed, what ingredients are used and where it is made.

And perhaps most importantly, choose something simple enough that you will actually use it.

A produce wash does not need to turn washing fruit and vegetables into a complicated ritual.

Where Plantaera fits

We created Plantaera Fruit and Vegetable Wash as a simple additional step before fresh produce is eaten, cut or stored.

It is a concentrated, plant-based formulation made with food-grade ingredients and no added preservatives — you can read more about how it is designed to work with water.

One pump is added to one litre of water. Wash your fruit and vegetables for around 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly with fresh water and dry.

Because Plantaera is concentrated, a 240 mL bottle provides up to 240 washes.*

One pump. One litre. One simple step.

How to use Plantaera

1. Add

Add one pump of Plantaera to one litre of water.

2. Wash

Wash your fresh fruit and vegetables for around 30 seconds.

3. Rinse

Rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

4. Dry

Dry, then eat, store or prepare as usual.

Wash. Rinse. See the full routine on how it works.

Do you need a fruit and vegetable wash?

A fruit and vegetable wash is not something everyone will choose to use.

For us, it is about having another option.

If you are happy rinsing your produce with water, keep doing that. If you would like an additional step designed specifically for washing fresh fruit and vegetables, that is where a product like Plantaera fits.

Simple enough to become part of the routine.

*Based on approximately one pump per one litre of water. Actual number of washes may vary depending on use.