How To Wash Tomatoes To Remove Dirt and Pesticides, According to an Expert

Though peak tomato season has come and gone, that doesn’t mean I won’t be making my favorite roasted tomato soup recipe all winter long. And while I can’t in good conscience say that store-bought winter tomatoes are even remotely close in flavor to vine-ripened August tomatoes, they’re absolutely perfect for cooked recipes like soups, sauces, and roasted side dishes. 

But whether I’m buying summer tomatoes or their supermarket winter counterparts, I’ve always wondered how best to remove dirt and pesticide residues when washing them at home. So, I’ve asked a food safety expert for all the nitty gritty details.

Dirt and Pesticides on Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a vegetable (though technically a fruit) that you don’t often see visible dirt on, like potatoes and other root veggies. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t find a streak of soil or feel some lingering dirt on your fingertips while perusing the market’s tomato selection.

The pesticide residue on tomatoes, however, is a little bit more elusive as it often can’t be seen just by looking at the fruit. “The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a list called the ‘Dirty Dozen’ annually of the 12 fruits and vegetables that were found to be the most contaminated with pesticides,” says Sarah Alsing, MS, RD, registered dietitian, food safety expert, and recipe creator for Delightfully Fueled. 

And while tomatoes weren’t on that list this year, they have been in the past, given that their thin skin is often eaten—and exposed to any pesticides sprayed on the plant. “However, the use of pesticides is strictly controlled by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Pesticide Data Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA establishes legal limits for pesticide residues, and for several years, 99 percent of foods tested have been under the legal limit,” assures Alsing.

How To Wash Tomatoes To Remove Dirt and Pesticides

If you’re still concerned about pesticide residue (and getting any stray soil off your tomatoes), there are a handful of washing methods you can utilize. 

“The best option to remove dirt and pesticides from tomatoes is to simply wash them thoroughly under running water and then dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel,” says Alsing. And while you might have seen videos on social media of people washing their produce with soap and water to get the job done, this isn’t recommended. “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that soap and detergent should not be used because tomatoes can absorb it, which can make you sick when you eat it,” Alsing explains.

However, washing with other common household ingredients may be beneficial. “Washing produce with baking soda has become popular due to a 2017 study by the University of Massachusetts which found washing apples in a baking soda solution removed more surface pesticide residues compared to running tap water,” Alsing adds.

To do this, the Arm & Hammer website suggests mixing one teaspoon of baking soda for every two cups of water and soaking your fruits and veggies in this solution for 12 to 15 minutes before giving them a final rinse and patting dry.

There is also a range of produce washes available for purchase that could help remove pesticide residues, though not all have been rigorously studied to prove their efficacy. Buying organic is another way to avoid pesticide concerns.

Ultimately, even if you just wash your tomatoes with water under the faucet, eating and cooking with a range of fruits and veggies, including tomatoes, is more important than being overly concerned with pesticides. “Don’t let the fear of pesticides and organic versus non-organic prevent you from eating more fruits and vegetables,” Alsing concurs.