The potatoes should be cleaned even if you intend to peel them. It's the only way to be sure you are removing any pesticide and chemical residues, as well as dirt and bacteria. The most common way to clean them is to use a vegetable brush. If you don't have one, you can use an exfoliating bath glove as described in the article.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use a Vegetable Brush
Step 1. First wash your hands
Before starting, wash your hands with antibacterial soap and rinse them well to avoid transferring the bacteria to the clean potatoes.
Clean the potatoes just before cooking and eating them. If the baths before storing them, they could mold or rot quickly
Step 2. Wash the potatoes with cold water
All potatoes should be washed, including those from organic farming, even if you intend to peel them. Organic potatoes may be free of chemicals and pesticides, but they have been in contact with the earth and bacteria nonetheless. It is important to remember that potatoes must be washed even if you intend to remove the skin. If you don't wash them before peeling them, bacteria and dirt will end up on your knife or peeler and could easily transfer from the peel to the pulp.
Step 3. Wet the vegetable brush
You shouldn't use the same brush that you use to remove dirt from dishes, as there may be detergent residue between the bristles that could end up on the potatoes.
If you don't have a brush dedicated exclusively to vegetables, you can use a clean dish sponge and scrub the potatoes with the rough side
Step 4. Rub the potatoes in circular motions
Focus your attention on the dirtiest areas and where the sprouts used to be where soil residues usually accumulate.
- Do not use any type of detergent, disinfectant or soap. According to experts, the most effective way to remove dirt and any impurities from potatoes is to scrub them thoroughly.
- Remove any sprouts with the tip of the knife.
Step 5. Rinse the brush and potato
As you use it, the brush may get dirty. In that case, rinse both the brush and the potato thoroughly.
Step 6. Continue scrubbing and rinsing until the peel of the potatoes is lighter in color
If the brush has light bristles, you can wait until they no longer change color. If not, keep scrubbing until the peel of the potatoes is a few shades lighter. Don't worry if the peel isn't a solid color.
Step 7. Dry the potatoes from time to time with absorbent paper
Rub them one at a time under water, then dry them immediately with paper to remove any last residue and bacteria.
Method 2 of 2: Use an Exfoliating Bath Mitt
Step 1. Clean the potatoes before cooking them
Do not wash them before that time, especially if you intend to keep them. If you bathe them, they will never dry out completely and will eventually rot.
Step 2. Get a clean bathroom exfoliating glove
You can buy it in perfumery or in the department dedicated to body care in the supermarket. Bath gloves are generally made of a rough, slightly abrasive material.
Make sure the glove is new and use it exclusively for cleaning potatoes. Do not use it to exfoliate the body
Step 3. Wash your hands with soap and water, then put on the glove
You will use it to remove soil residue and other impurities from the peel of potatoes.
Step 4. Wet both the potatoes and the glove under cold running water
Proceed quickly to avoid wasting water and not using any type of detergent, disinfectant or soap. According to experts, the most effective way to remove dirt and any impurities from potatoes is to scrub them thoroughly.
Step 5. Gently massage the potatoes
Turn them over and roll them into your hands. The abrasive material that the gloves are made of will act like a vegetable brush and remove dirt.
Step 6. Rinse the mitt and potatoes under cold running water
The peel should become a few shades lighter. If necessary, scrub it a little more and then rinse it again.
Step 7. Dry the potatoes from time to time with absorbent paper
Rub them one at a time under water, then wipe them immediately with paper to remove any remaining residue and bacteria.
Step 8. Wash the glove when done
If it's very dirty, use some soap as well, but be sure to rinse it thoroughly.
Advice
- Turn off the tap when you're not rinsing the brush to avoid wasting it and paying a hefty bill.
- Potatoes should always be washed, even if they are organic or if you intend to peel them.
- You can use white vinegar diluted in water to disinfect potatoes, but it is not necessary, just scrub and rinse them thoroughly.
- If the potatoes are very dirty, you can soak them in water before brushing them.
- When peeling potatoes, remove the sprouts and any bruised or different colored parts. If you don't, you could get seriously ill.
Warnings
- Do not use soaps, detergents, or disinfectants to clean potatoes.
- Do not wash potatoes before storing them. If they are very dirty, simply dry brush them without using water. If you bathe them, they will rot prematurely.
- Do not put potatoes in the dishwasher. Even if you use cold water and don't add soap, there may be some detergent residue. In addition, the earth could clog the pipes.
