The most effective way to wash fruit isn't just rinsing it under the tap but brushing or rubbing the skin. For firm-skinned fruit like apples and pears, a soft brush clears the dust and wax layer far better than running water alone.
For clustered or soft-fleshed fruit like grapes and strawberries, brushing isn't practical; instead, soak them in a bowl of water for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly under running water.
Why is there a wax layer on the skin, and how do you remove it?
Apples, pears and some plum varieties carry a thin wax layer on the skin, either natural or added afterwards, which slows moisture loss and protects the fruit from scuffing in transit. Plain water alone won't fully remove it; brushing with warm water, or soaking the fruit briefly in warm water and then drying it, clears most of it.
This step isn't necessary for fruit you'll peel, but for anything eaten with the skin on, brushing shouldn't be skipped.
How do you wash clustered fruit like grapes and strawberries?
Holding these fruits directly under the tap doesn't get water to the inner parts of the bunch. Put the fruit in a colander and dunk it a few times in a bowl of water so every surface actually gets rinsed. For strawberries, remove the stem after washing, not before — pulling it off first lets water seep into the flesh and dilutes the flavour.
Does a vinegar or baking soda rinse actually help?
Adding a few spoonfuls of vinegar or a pinch of baking soda to a bowl of water helps loosen dust and residue from the skin more easily; the fruit should then be rinsed thoroughly, or a faint taste can linger on the skin. This makes the biggest difference on rough-skinned fruit like apricots and peaches, where dust clings more easily.
Washing with soap or detergent isn't recommended — these can seep into the pores of the skin and not rinse away completely.
When should you wash fruit — right after shopping or right before eating?
Washing fruit right after shopping and putting it straight in the fridge seems practical, but the extra moisture makes it soften faster in storage. That's why most fruit is best washed right before eating — unwashed fruit simply keeps longer.
Even fruit you peel, like bananas, is worth washing first, since the knife can carry dust from the skin onto the flesh while peeling.