How to Wash and Store Your Berries
How to Wash and Store your Berries
Strawberries are one of the most beloved fruits. They're also one of the most contaminated. Here's what the research actually says — and what you can do about it.
The Driscoll's Problem
Watsonville, California is called the Strawberry Capital of the World. It's also where Driscoll's grows most of its berries. And it has the 2nd highest childhood cancer rate in California — a pediatric cancer rate more than 38% above the state average (22.6 vs. 16.3 cases per 100,000).
Every year, over 1 million pounds of pesticides are applied in Santa Cruz County, concentrated in the Pajaro Valley — right next to schools and homes. One of the most widely used is Telone (1,3-Dichloropropene), a soil fumigant that California itself classifies as a probable human carcinogen. In February 2026, activists filed a lawsuit against state regulators over its continued use. More than 169 million pounds have been applied since 2010.
When Driscoll's conventional strawberries were independently lab tested, researchers found 12 pesticide residues at levels banned in the EU, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, and Chile — 8 of which were PFAS "forever chemicals."
Strawberries have been #1 on EWG's Dirty Dozen list for years. This is not new information. It's just finally getting the attention it deserves.
The good news: Organic Driscoll's tested clean. Buying organic matters — especially for strawberries.
How to Wash Your Berries (Even Organic Ones)
Never eat berries straight from the container.
When you're ready to wash, skip plain water. It doesn't cut it. Use one of these methods instead:
Vinegar Soak Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with 1 cup water. Soak berries for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly under running water.
Baking Soda Soak Dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl of water. Soak for 10–15 minutes, then rinse well. This method is particularly effective at breaking down pesticide residue on the surface.
Both methods are research-backed. A University of Illinois study found baking soda solution to be one of the most effective at removing surface pesticides from produce.
How to Store Your Berries So They Last All Week
Once your berries are home from the store, dry storage is everything. Here's exactly how I do it:
The key principles:
No plastic containers or bags — they trap moisture and speed up mold
Line your container with an organic towel to absorb any moisture
Don't seal them — airflow matters
Don't wash until you're ready to eat
Stored this way, organic strawberries stay fresh for up to a week.
The Bottom Line
Buy organic. Wash before eating, not before storing. Store them dry in the right container. These are small changes that make a real difference — especially when the research shows what's at stake.
Sources: The AG Center, Lookout Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Local, Mamavation, EWG Dirty Dozen, University of Illinois Extension