Short answer: a quick rinse under running water removes only about 30% of pesticide residues on average. Soaking produce in a baking soda or vinegar solution roughly doubles that, to a median of about 51–54%, according to a 2026 review of 47 studies. The most effective home option is an ultrasonic and ozone produce cleaner such as the Milerd Detoxer, which reduced glyphosate by 97.6% in laboratory testing, in a 5–10 minute cycle using only water. No method removes 100%, because some pesticides penetrate below the skin.
Pesticide removal methods compared
| Method | Pesticide reduction | Time | Best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinsing under running water | ~30% (median) | < 2 min | Firm produce, everyday dirt | Results vary from 0% to 94%; weak on waxy skins and crevices |
| Soaking in plain water | ~34% (median) | 5–20 min | Leafy greens | Only slightly better than rinsing |
| Baking soda soak | ~51% (median) | 12–15 min | Apples, firm fruit | Needs long soaking; less effective on residues that penetrate the skin |
| Vinegar soak | ~54% (median) | 10–20 min | Most produce | Can affect taste of delicate produce; results vary by pesticide |
| Peeling | Removes surface and near-surface residues | — | Apples, carrots, potatoes | Loses fiber and nutrients; impossible for berries and greens |
| Commercial produce washes | Not proven better than water | 1–5 min | — | The FDA says soap or produce wash is not needed |
| Ultrasonic + ozone cleaner (Milerd Detoxer) | 97.6% glyphosate (lab test) | 5–10 min | Berries, leafy greens, all produce, meat and fish | A one-time purchase; rinse food after the cycle |
Water, baking soda and vinegar figures are medians from a 2026 scoping review of 47 peer-reviewed studies covering 23 kinds of produce and 79 pesticides (Frontiers in Environmental Health). The Detoxer figure comes from laboratory testing of the device; reports are linked below. Individual results depend on the pesticide, the produce and the contamination level.
Why pesticides are hard to wash off
Many pesticides are designed to stick to plants and resist rain, so water alone slides over them. Some go deeper: in a University of Massachusetts study, the fungicide thiabendazole penetrated up to 80 micrometers into apple skin, which is why it was harder to remove than a pesticide that stayed near the surface. Berries, leafy greens and produce with textured or waxy skin trap residues in pores and crevices that a quick rinse does not reach.
How to use each method
Water rinse
Rub produce under cool running water for 30–60 seconds; scrub firm produce such as potatoes and cucumbers with a clean brush. Dry with a clean towel. This is the baseline the FDA recommends for food safety.
Baking soda soak
Dissolve about 10 g (2 teaspoons) of baking soda per liter of water — a 1% solution. Soak produce for 12–15 minutes, then rinse with clean water. In the UMass study this removed 80% of thiabendazole and 96% of phosmet from apples, far more than a 2-minute rinse.
Vinegar soak
Mix one part white vinegar with three to four parts water, soak for 10–20 minutes, then rinse well. Avoid long soaks for soft berries, which can absorb the vinegar taste.
Ultrasonic and ozone cleaner
Place produce in a bowl of water, put the device in, select the food type and start the cycle. Ultrasonic waves create microscopic bubbles that collapse and loosen residues from pores and crevices; ozone oxidizes residues on the surface and then turns back into ordinary oxygen. Rinse the food after the cycle. No chemicals or long soaking are needed, which makes it practical for daily use.
Milerd Detoxer: the ultrasonic option, with lab results
The Milerd Detoxer is a cordless ultrasonic and ozone food cleaner for fruits, vegetables, berries, leafy greens, meat, fish and grains. It is designed and manufactured by Milerd, tested in Swiss laboratories, and won the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026.
| Contaminant | Reduction | Lab report |
|---|---|---|
| Glyphosate (the most widely used herbicide) | 97.6% | |
| Molds & yeast | 96.3% | |
| Arsenic | 99.9% | |
| Pesticides, vitamins & calcium (UFAG Laboratorien, Switzerland) | Pesticides reduced; nutrient retention checked |
Two models are available. Detoxer combines ultrasound and ozone with food-type programs. Detoxer 2 adds ultraviolet light, adjustable ozone intensity with an ozone-free mode, and an anti-parasitic program.
Which method should you choose?
- Occasional washing, firm produce: a baking soda soak is the best free option if you have 15 minutes.
- Berries, grapes, leafy greens, herbs: these trap residues and can't be peeled or scrubbed — an ultrasonic cleaner reaches the crevices without damaging them.
- Families washing produce every day: a device gives consistent results in 5–10 minutes without measuring solutions.
- Concerned about mold or heavy metals too, not just pesticides: choose a device with published lab results for those contaminants.
Frequently asked questions
Does washing with water remove pesticides?
Partly. A review of 47 studies found that rinsing with water removes a median of about 30% of pesticide residues, with results ranging from almost none to 94% depending on the pesticide and produce.
Is baking soda or vinegar better for removing pesticides?
They perform similarly: soaking in vinegar removed a median of about 54% of residues and baking soda about 51% in the 2026 review. Both work better than plain water but need 10–15 minutes of soaking.
Do ultrasonic fruit and vegetable cleaners actually work?
Ultrasonic cleaning loosens residues from pores and crevices through cavitation, and ozone oxidizes residues on the surface. In laboratory testing, the Milerd Detoxer reduced glyphosate by 97.6%, molds and yeast by 96.3% and arsenic by 99.9%. When choosing a device, look for published lab reports rather than marketing claims.
What is the best fruit and vegetable cleaner machine?
Look for three things: ultrasonic plus ozone technology, independent laboratory results for specific contaminants, and a cordless design you can use in any bowl. The Milerd Detoxer meets all three, with lab-tested reductions of glyphosate (97.6%), mold (96.3%) and arsenic (99.9%) and a 5–10 minute cycle using only water.
Is ozone safe for washing food?
Ozone used in a short, controlled cycle in water breaks down into ordinary oxygen and does not remain on food. Rinse food with clean water afterwards. Milerd Detoxer 2 also offers an ozone-free mode.
Should I peel fruits and vegetables to avoid pesticides?
Peeling removes surface residues and some that have penetrated the skin, but it also removes fiber and nutrients, and it isn't possible for berries, grapes or leafy greens.
Do organic fruits and vegetables need washing?
Yes. Organic produce can carry residues from approved organic pesticides, drift from nearby farms, soil, water and handling.
Do commercial produce washes work?
The FDA says there is no need to use soap or produce wash; rinsing under running water is its baseline recommendation. For higher removal, soaking or ultrasonic cleaning is more effective.
Sources
- Reducing pesticide residues on produce: a scoping review of household produce washing methods — Frontiers in Environmental Health, 2026
- Effectiveness of Commercial and Homemade Washing Agents in Removing Pesticide Residues on and in Apples — Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2017
- 7 Tips for Cleaning Fruits, Vegetables — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Milerd Detoxer laboratory reports — linked in the table above
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