July 9, 2025, 9:05 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Small, sweet, and often covered with invisible residues: Simply rinsing blueberries under water often leaves potential pesticides and germs untouched. myHOMEBOK reveals how to thoroughly clean the fruit using two simple household items and also extend their shelf life.
July and August are the peak season for blueberries. During this time, they are ripe and taste especially sweet. Whether in cereal, cake, smoothies, or just on their own–they are versatile and a delicious treat. To ensure they are truly healthy, blueberries should be washed properly. Whether from the supermarket or the farmers market, they can be contaminated with pesticides and bacteria. A quick rinse with water is not enough. Instead, they should be cleaned with vinegar or baking soda. This not only removes invisible residues but can also actively counteract mold growth.
Why Water Isn’t Enough
A quick rinse with water removes dust and coarse dirt, but it is not sufficient for a deeper clean. It is better to wash blueberries with vinegar or baking soda. Both alter the pH level on the surface of the blueberries, leading to a stronger inhibition of microbiological growth than rinsing with pH-neutral water, says food scientist Bryan Quoc Le on marthastewart.com.
How Vinegar and Baking Soda Work
To properly wash blueberries, both vinegar and baking soda are suitable–both are items that almost everyone has at home. However, these household remedies have different modes of action.
The advantage of vinegar is its acidic effect. Due to the low pH level, some pesticide residues on the surface of the blueberries dissolve, and bacterial growth is inhibited. Both white household vinegar and apple cider vinegar serve the purpose, as it is the pH level, not the type of vinegar, that is crucial, says Le. White household vinegar is significantly cheaper than apple cider vinegar.
Baking soda, on the other hand, works differently. Its alkaline property can neutralize bacteria. However, if not rinsed thoroughly, it can leave a slightly bitter taste. Studies also show that both agents can effectively remove certain residues, but they are not a universal solution.
DIY Cleaning Solutions for Blueberries
Both vinegar and baking soda can be easily used to make a cleaning solution to effectively clean blueberries.
Cleaning with Vinegar
- Mix three parts cold water with one part white vinegar in a large bowl.
- Add blueberries and soak for five to ten minutes.
- Gently move the berries with your hands to remove dirt softly.
- Rinse under cold water and let dry spread out on a clean cloth or paper towel.
Cleaning with Baking Soda
- Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in two cups of cold water.
- Soak the blueberries for five to ten minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
- Also spread out on a paper towel or a clean dish towel to dry.
Also interesting: 5 Practical Baking Soda Tricks for the Household
Caution: The soaking time should not exceed 15 minutes. Otherwise, the skin can disintegrate, and the aromatic substances can dissolve in the baking soda solution, warns food scientist Le.
What to Consider When Washing and Storing Blueberries
Blueberries should ideally be washed just before consumption. Moisture on the skin can accelerate mold growth. If you don’t want to eat your washed blueberries immediately, make sure they are thoroughly dried before storing. They can then be stored in a breathable container in the refrigerator.
If you want to freeze your blueberries, they should also be well dried after cleaning and then laid out in a single layer to freeze. They can then be transferred to a bag or container and stored in the freezer.
Should You Wash Strawberries with Baking Soda?
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How to Store Strawberries Properly to Keep Them Fresh Longer
Are Special Products More Effective?
Special fruit and vegetable washing agents from the store offer little advantage, according to Le. Only cleaning agents with special peroxide compounds from the industry are more effective. However, these are not available to consumers. Household remedies are entirely sufficient to properly wash blueberries, says the scientist.