The Right Way to Wash Carrots to Remove Dirt, Pesticides, and Germs

Carrots come straight from the earth, and sometimes they look it—especially the ones with clumps of soil still hanging on. To learn how to wash carrots properly to remove dirt, potential pesticide residues, and bacteria that can sneak in during harvesting and handling, we spoke to a food safety expert. Whether your bunch came from the farmers market or the grocery store, read on to find out the best, most effective way to wash carrots, including whether you need to peel them or not.

How to Wash Carrots

It's not complicated. You don’t need anything fancy to get your carrots clean, says Amy Johnston, MS, extension educator and assistant food safety professor at the University of Minnesota. Running water and a little friction. “For carrots, which are root vegetables, cool running water is the best,” she explains. “If they have grooves or bumps, use a scrub brush. It helps you get into the nooks and crannies more than just using your hand.”

Vegetable Brush Optional But Recommended

When choosing a vegetable brush, Johnston recommends a practical one. “Make sure the material can be washed and sanitized,” she says. “Some are super cute and have a wooden handle, but wood is a little harder to clean and sanitize in the kitchen. Anything that’s dishwasher safe would be the best bet."

What About Pesticides?

Many people wonder if washing alone removes chemical residues on root vegetables. According to Johnston, in most cases, it does a good job. “If used correctly by farmers and growers, a lot of those pesticides are water soluble,” she says. “Washing under cool running water is good.

To Peel or Not to Peel?

Peeling could provide an additional layer of protection—but, says Johnston, "if you’re going to peel the carrot, still wash it first. Otherwise, you’re just going to transfer anything from the outside surface to the freshly peeled surface.”

Organic Carrots

Don’t assume organic carrots can skip a good rinse. “I recommend the same rules,” Johnston says. “Things can get contaminated at any point, from the field to your kitchen, in transport or handling.”

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The Final Step

After rinsing and brushing the carrots, lay them out on a clean towel or drying rack and let them air dry completely before refrigerating.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Carrots

Forgetting to clean the sink first: One of the biggest errors people make isn’t about the carrots at all—it’s about the sink. “So many people don’t clean and sanitize their sink before washing produce,” says Johnston. “If we start with a dirty sink, there’s a possibility of cross-contamination.” She recommends scrubbing and sanitizing the sink, faucet, and handles before rinsing produce.

Using produce wash: Save time and money by skipping the produce wash. Experts agree it's not necessary.

Not drying the carrots: Storing wet vegetables is another issue. “After they wash produce, a lot of people don’t allow them to air dry,” says Johnston. They put them in the fridge in a tightly sealed container with all of that moisture, and that can actually speed up spoilage. If there is any bacteria present, it would love that water." So let carrots air dry or give them a wipe with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.

Learn Where Your Carrots Come From

If you’re curious about how your carrots were grown, Johnston suggests going straight to the source when possible. “If you have the opportunity to get to know the farmer who is growing those carrots, and talk to them about their growing and harvesting practices, it’s great if you can do that at a farmers market or at a co-op,” she says. For grocery store shoppers, she recommends doing a little online research to learn more about the farm or supplier.