How To Wash Lettuce To Remove Dirt and Pesticides, According to Two Experts

I typically buy pre-washed bagged leafy greens. It’s so much easier to just open a container than to wash the greens thoroughly. But occasionally, I’ll pick up a head of lettuce or a bundled batch of fresh greens. Then, I have to tackle the dirt and pesticides on the greens.

It’s not rocket science, but there are a couple of steps to take if you want really clean lettuce, says registered dietitian Debbie Petitpain, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

How To Wash Lettuce

Start by removing any imperfect outer leaves. “Peel off any wilted or damaged outer leaves, as they tend to have the most exposure to contaminants,” Petitpain says.

If you are washing loose-leaf lettuce or romaine, she suggests separating each leaf from the core to see dirt and residue more easily. If you have an entire head of lettuce, cut it into halves or quarters before cleaning to expose the insides.

If you don’t have a ton of time, place the leaves in a colander and rinse under cool, running water for at least one minute. “Rub gently with your hands to dislodge dirt and particles,” says Petitpain. Your lettuce is clean and ready to eat.

If you want to be more thorough, she suggests filling a bowl with cold water and adding the lettuce leaves. Submerge the leaves and swirl them gently for a few minutes so any dirt can drift away.

When you’re finished soaking, remove them from the water and place them in a clean bowl or cutting board. Don’t put them back into the same bowl, or you could recontaminate them with any leftover dirt.

If you want to deep clean your lettuce, fill a bowl with water and add one cup of white vinegar for every four cups of water. Soak the lettuce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to ensure all leaves are washed in the solution. Petitpain likes vinegar because it can help remove bacteria and residue from pesticides.

After soaking, rinse the leaves under running water to remove the vinegar taste and wash away any loose dirt.

The Best Way To Dry Lettuce

To remove water, use a salad spinner or pat the leaves dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. “Proper drying prevents the growth of bacteria and keeps the lettuce crisp,” Petitpain says.

Wrap the washed and dried lettuce in a clean paper towel and store it in a zip-top bag or airtight container to keep it from wilting.

“Lettuce that is washed and placed back in the refrigerator without being dried off may get moldy or be more likely to spoil because of the increased water content,” says Don Schaffner, PhD, professor at Rutgers University and member of the Institute of Food Technologists’ Food Microbiology Division. “Using a salad spinner is a great way to dry off your lettuce.”

One good news: If you use pre-washed lettuce, there’s no reason to rinse it again, says Schaffner. “If you buy triple wash bagged lettuce, experts recommend that it not be washed again since this could re-introduce contamination from the kitchen.”

How To Buy the Best Lettuce

Lettuce lasts longer and stays fresher if you pay attention when buying it.

“When shopping for head lettuce at the grocery store, look for heads that are intact and do not seem heavily damaged or have any soft spots,” Schaffner says.

“When buying bagged lettuce or lettuce in a plastic container, look at the ‘best by’ date. It's also good to try to look through the bag or the plastic container as best you can to make sure that the lettuce looks fresh.”