Start With Clean Hand Before handling potatoes, make sure your hands are clean. This reduces the risk of transferring bacteria or dirt from your hands to the potatoes during washing.
Rinse Under Cold Water Place potatoes under cold running water. Use your hands to gently rub the surface, helping to remove loose dirt and debris. Avoid using soap or chemicals, as they are not food-safe.
Use a Vegetable Brush To remove stubborn dirt or grit, use a soft vegetable brush to scrub the skin gently. Brush in circular motions, paying extra attention to areas where dirt tends to accumulate, such as the eyes or crevices.
Soak for Tough Dirt For especially dirty potatoes, soak them in a bowl of cold water for 10-15 minutes. This helps loosen dirt and makes it easier to scrub off. Avoid soaking too long to prevent water absorption.
Use Vinegar or Baking Soda for Pesticide To help remove pesticides, add a small amount of vinegar or baking soda to the water while soaking. These natural substances may help break down pesticides without compromising the potato's flavor.
Rinse and Scrub Again After soaking, rinse the potatoes under running water again and scrub lightly with the brush if needed. This ensures any remaining dirt or pesticides are removed thoroughly.
Peel If Desired While scrubbing can remove much of the dirt, peeling the potatoes will ensure that pesticides on the skin are eliminated. If you prefer to eat the skin, make sure to wash thoroughly to minimize any residue.