Can I Wash Apples with Dawn Dish Soap?

January 6, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the FDA, it is not recommended to wash fruits and vegetables with any type of soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash. This advice runs contrary to a popular but dangerous misconception that using dish soap, like Dawn, is a more effective way to clean produce.

Quick Summary

Washing apples with Dawn dish soap is not safe due to potential health risks from chemical ingestion; experts strongly recommend against this practice. Dish soaps are not food-grade and their residues can be absorbed by porous produce, potentially causing gastrointestinal issues. Proper cleaning methods involve using cool, running water and scrubbing, or a simple baking soda soak.

Key Points

Do Not Use Dish Soap: Washing apples with Dawn is unsafe because fruits are porous and can absorb harmful chemical residues, which are not intended for human consumption.
FDA & USDA Warn Against It: Food safety authorities strongly advise against using soap, detergent, or commercial produce washes on food.
Residue is a Health Risk: Ingesting dish soap residue can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Use Cool, Running Water: For most effective and safe cleaning, simply rinse apples thoroughly under cool, running tap water while scrubbing gently with a clean produce brush.
Baking Soda is a Safe Alternative: To more effectively remove pesticide residues, soak apples in a baking soda solution (1 tsp per 2 cups of water) for 12-15 minutes, followed by a thorough rinse.
Wash Before Peeling: Always wash produce before peeling or cutting to prevent transferring surface contaminants to the edible interior.

The Dangers of Using Dish Soap on Produce

Using dish soap, including popular brands like Dawn, to wash fresh produce is a common mistake that poses significant health risks. Unlike dishes, which are non-porous and can be thoroughly rinsed, fruits and vegetables have porous surfaces that can absorb soap residues. These residues are not meant for human consumption and can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Why Dish Soap Is Not Food-Safe

Dish soaps contain chemicals, surfactants, and fragrances that are formulated for cleaning hard, non-absorbent surfaces, not for ingestion. The safety data sheets for many dish detergents explicitly state that ingestion can cause adverse health effects. The FDA and USDA have consistently warned consumers against this practice, emphasizing that dish soaps and detergents are not approved for use on food. The long-term effects of ingesting even small amounts of these chemicals are not well understood, making it an unnecessary and avoidable risk.

What About the Wax and Pesticides?

Many people turn to dish soap out of concern over the wax coatings and pesticide residues found on commercially grown apples. While it's true that apples can carry residues and wax, Dawn is not the solution. Some wax coatings are applied to extend shelf life and are food-grade, approved by the FDA. For removing these coatings and pesticide residues, much safer and more effective methods exist.

The Proper, Expert-Recommended Method for Washing Apples

Health and food safety experts recommend simple and effective alternatives that don't involve the risks of ingesting chemical detergents. The gold standard for cleaning produce, including apples, involves cool, running water.

Step-by-Step Guide for Washing Apples

Wash Your Hands: Before touching any produce, wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse Under Running Water: Hold the apple under cool, running water. The flowing water is more effective than soaking in a basin, which can cross-contaminate if multiple items are washed together.
Scrub Firm Produce: For apples and other firm-skinned fruits, use a clean produce brush to gently scrub the surface while rinsing. This helps to dislodge dirt, wax, and other residues.
Dry Thoroughly: After rinsing, dry the apple with a clean paper towel or cloth. This final step further reduces the bacteria that may be present.

The Baking Soda Method: A More Advanced Option

For those seeking a more rigorous cleaning process to remove pesticide residues, a simple baking soda soak is a proven, food-safe alternative.

To perform a baking soda soak:

Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 cups of cool water in a large bowl.
Submerge the apples in the solution for 12 to 15 minutes.
After soaking, rinse each apple thoroughly under cool, running water.
Gently scrub the surface with a clean brush or hands.
Dry the apples with a clean towel.

Comparison: Dish Soap vs. Recommended Methods

To help illustrate the differences and risks, the following table compares using dish soap with expert-recommended methods.


Feature	Dish Soap (e.g., Dawn)	Plain Water Scrubbing	Baking Soda Soak & Rinse
Food-Safe?	No. Contains chemicals unsafe for ingestion.	Yes. Recommended by FDA and USDA.	Yes. Baking soda is a food-safe abrasive.
Residue Risk?	High. Soap can be absorbed into porous skin, leaving harmful residue.	Low. Water and scrubbing remove surface contaminants without residue.	Low. A thorough final rinse removes any baking soda residue.
Effectiveness (Pesticides)	Unproven/Dangerous. Not designed for food, adds chemical risk.	Good. Removes surface pesticides effectively.	Excellent. Proven to be more effective than water alone in studies.
Gastrointestinal Risk?	High. Can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested.	None. No chemical ingestion risk.	None. No chemical ingestion risk.
Cost	Not applicable; using an unsuitable product.	Minimal (tap water).	Minimal (baking soda is inexpensive).

Conclusion

While the motivation to thoroughly clean produce like apples is understandable, using household detergents such as Dawn is not the correct or safe approach. The potential for ingesting harmful chemicals far outweighs any perceived cleaning benefits. Reputable food safety authorities, including the FDA and USDA, are clear that plain cool, running water is the best and safest option for most produce cleaning. For a deeper clean, especially to address pesticide concerns, the baking soda soak provides a safe, proven, and low-cost solution that doesn't compromise your health. Prioritizing safety means using the right tools for the job, and when it comes to washing apples, Dawn is not one of them. For additional food safety tips, consult reliable sources like the FDA's consumer updates on safe produce handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dawn and other dish soaps contain chemicals and surfactants not approved for human consumption. Apples and other produce are porous and can absorb these residues, leading to health issues if ingested.

The safest and most recommended method is to wash apples under cool, running water. For a deeper clean, consider soaking them in a baking soda and water solution before rinsing and scrubbing.

While rinsing with water is very effective at removing many surface residues, no washing method removes 100% of all pesticides. The baking soda soak method has shown to be more effective than plain water at removing certain residues.

Ingesting dish soap can cause gastrointestinal irritation, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience severe symptoms, contact a healthcare provider.

Some people use a dilute vinegar solution, but experts suggest it isn't significantly more effective than plain water and can affect the flavor of the produce. Thoroughly rinsing afterward is crucial to remove any potential vinegar taste.

The wax coating is often a food-grade layer used to preserve freshness and prolong shelf life, approved by the FDA. Washing and scrubbing with a brush under running water is sufficient to clean the surface, including the wax.

No, according to the FDA and USDA, you do not need to re-wash produce that is labeled 'ready-to-eat' or 'triple washed.' These items have been sufficiently cleaned prior to packaging.