Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Wash a purchased apple
• Method 2 of 3: Disinfect very dirty apples
• Method 3 of 3: Avoid common mistakes

You should always wash any fruit, including apples, before eating it. This removes harmful pesticides and bacteria. Usually apples can be washed with tap water alone. However, very dirty apples can be cleaned with vinegar. Always wash your hands before cleaning apples. Keep in mind that even organic fruit must be washed as it can contain bacteria.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Wash a purchased apple

1. First, check the apple. Check the apple before washing it. Watch for mold, bruises, and other damage. If you notice any bruises or fungi, cut them off with a knife before washing the apple.
   • If you buy apples from the store, choose undamaged apples.
2. Wash your hands. When washing an apple, it is important that you do this with clean hands. First wash your hands under running water with antibacterial soap and then wash the apple.
   • After washing, dry your hands with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Hold the apple under running water. Tap water is enough to remove unwanted dirt, dust and bacteria from an apple. Hold the apple under running water and turn it if necessary to clean all sides. When you're done, dry the apple with a paper towel or a clean cloth.
4. Do not use soap or detergent. There is no need to use soap or detergent to wash apples. Soap and dish soap residue can upset your stomach. Stick to tap water.

Method 2 of 3: Disinfect very dirty apples

1. Fill a bottle with vinegar and water. Freshly picked apples may require more than water to clean them. Apples containing dirt and dust can be washed with vinegar. Fill a bottle with 750 ml of water and 120 ml of white vinegar. Shake the bottle to mix the water and vinegar.
2. Spray the fruit. You don't have to soak apples in vinegar. This could even affect the apples. Instead of soaking them, spray the apples with vinegar. Add just enough to cover the entire apple. You usually do this by spraying about six times.
3. Rinse the apples with tap water. Once the apple is completely covered in vinegar, you can rinse it under the tap. Turn the apple as needed to rinse all sides. The vinegar should remove any layers of dirt or dust from the apple.
   • There is no need to use anything other than your fingers to scrub the apple.

Method 3 of 3: Avoid common mistakes

1. Do not use expensive rinses. It is rarely necessary to soak apples or use ingredients other than tap water or vinegar to wash them. Expensive rinses in which apples are soaked can change their flavor. For the most part, stick to tap water and vinegar if the apples are very dirty. Extensive rinses will do little to clean apples.
2. Wash the apples, even if they are organic. Many people think that organic apples do not need to be washed. Although fewer pesticides are used on organic apples, they are still susceptible to environmental bacteria and can be contaminated during transport. Even organic apples should be washed under the tap before eating.
3. Do not automatically throw away moldy products. Moldy products do not need to be thrown away if only a small corner is infected with mold. If you see that a small part of your apple is moldy, cut that away with a knife. Unless an apple is completely covered with a layer of fluffy mold, you don't have to throw it away.