Blueberries are a popular fruit, and for a good reason: They're juicy, sweet, and delicious in desserts, smoothies, and more. The small berries are also perfect for snacking, as they don't require any peeling or cutting. You might even be tempted to eat them straight from the carton, but before you do, it's important to wash them first. Here, experts share how to wash blueberries properly, plus tips for drying them so they don't get soft and moldy.

Why You Need to Wash Blueberries

Although your blueberries might look clean, you need to wash them before eating or using them in recipes. "Blueberries should be washed because they [can] carry dirt, debris, bugs, parasites, and other contaminants," says Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., food scientist, food consultant, and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered. These contaminants can also carry pathogens, which may cause foodborne illness.

How to Wash Blueberries

"Before washing blueberries, inspect and remove [ones] that are moldy or broken, as well as debris like leaves or stems," says Trung Vu, chef instructor of pastry and baking arts at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.

To wash blueberries, follow these steps, as provided by Vu:

1. Place the blueberries in a colander. If you need to wash a lot of berries, do it in batches to avoid overcrowding.
2. Rinse the blueberries under cold running water, gently swishing the berries around with your hands to ensure all the berries are exposed to water.
3. Gently shake the colander to remove excess water.

How to Dry Blueberries After Washing

After washing, blueberries should be dried so they don't get soft and spoil. Here's how to properly dry them, according to Vu:

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a clean cloth towel or several paper towels.
2. Place the blueberries on the sheet in a single layer.
3. Gently pat the blueberries dry with the towel(s). You can carefully swirl them around to help remove excess water.
4. Let the blueberries sit for about five minutes, allowing the towels to soak in the excess moisture.

When to Wash Blueberries

Only wash blueberries just before using them. You should avoid washing blueberries before storing them in the refrigerator, as the extra moisture will cause them to spoil faster. This can also make them soft and mushy, says Vu, so wait until you're ready to eat them.

Tips

Wash Your Hands First: Before washing blueberries (or any produce, for that matter), wash your hands with soap and water. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends doing so for at least 20 seconds. This will ensure your hands are clean, reducing the risk of contamination.

Use White Vinegar: To further clean blueberries, add them to a bowl with a 3-to-1 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar, recommends Le. Swirl the berries for about one minute, then rinse them for 30 seconds under cold water to remove the vinegar—and dry as directed above.

Avoid Washing Blueberries With Soap: There's no need to use soap to wash blueberries. The soap can be absorbed by the berries, potentially introducing contaminants. You can also skip the commercial produce washes; there is not much research on their safety and effectiveness, per the FDA.

Use a Clean Towel: When drying blueberries, always use a clean kitchen towel or new paper towels. This will "prevent bacteria and debris from re-contaminating the berries," says Le.

Wash and Dry Blueberries Well Before Freezing: Blueberries should be washed before freezing because frozen berries become soft and mushy once thawed, so you won't be able to properly wash them after freezing. Also, aways fully dry blueberries before freezing them, says Vu. Otherwise, the excess moisture will cause the blueberries to freeze into clumps.