PSA: You’re Probably Washing Your Grapes Wrong—Here’s the Right Way

Grapes are a perfect fridge staple—a handy item to have on hand for a fruit salad, a lunch you’re packing for school or work, or just something to snag a quick handful of when you need a snack. 

But whether they come straight from the farmers market or the grocery store, don’t gobble them up right away. They need a little love and attention before you pop them into your mouth.

Do You Really Need to Wash Grapes?

Yes! Grapes are part of the Dirty Dozen—a list that the Environmental Working Group releases every year to document which food the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds to be the most contaminated with pesticides. As of 2024, grapes sit at no. 4 on the list, behind only strawberries, spinach, and kale and its related greens.

If you buy organic produce, this may be less of a concern, but organic products can get a bit pricy, so not everyone is able to opt for them. When I hit the store, I’m getting regular shmegular grapes, even if it means a little extra time at the sink. Plus, who knows what dirt and germs the bag may have come into contact with on its journey from the vineyard to the shelf—you’ll want to tackle those either way.  

When to Wash Grapes

Like some other fruits and vegetables (strawberries come to mind) grapes are best washed just before you eat them. Washing an entire bag or container of them as soon as you bring it home means that much of the package will sit with excess moisture for longer than necessary, leading to a shorter shelf-life before they go bad.

How to Wash Grapes

Dump your grapes—remember, just the serving you need!—into a strainer or colander and rinse with cool water, tossing thoroughly so the water makes it to all of the grapes. For extra clean grapes, take the additional step of soaking them in cool water for 5 to 10 minutes. Some like to add a couple tablespoons of baking soda and/or vinegar to the water during this step. Just make sure to rinse again at the end and pat dry thoroughly before enjoying.

How to Store Grapes

Make sure your grapes are as dry as possible before storing in a ventilated bag or container that allows airflow. Excess moisture is not your friend. Grapes are also likely to last a bit longer if you keep the stem on.