You can remove pesticides from celery by washing it thoroughly under running water, scrubbing the stalks gently, and soaking them in a vinegar solution.
Celery is one of those veggies that tends to hold onto pesticide residue more than most because of its fibrous, ribbed stalks.
So if you’ve been wondering how to remove pesticides from celery, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through why celery holds onto pesticides, the most effective ways to remove pesticides from celery, and a few extra tips to keep your produce safe.
Let’s dive in.
Why You Need to Remove Pesticides From Celery
Celery consistently lands on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list, which means it’s among the produce most likely to carry pesticide residue.
That’s largely because celery has no protective peel you can toss away.
Its stalks are porous and ribbed, which gives pesticides plenty of places to hide.
Here’s why removing pesticides from celery matters:
1. Celery Is a Dirty Dozen Regular
The EWG has ranked celery high on its Dirty Dozen list for years.
Tests regularly find multiple pesticide residues on conventional celery, even after it’s been washed at the store.
That’s why learning how to remove pesticides from celery at home is so important.
2. Pesticides Can Linger in the Stalks
Unlike smooth-skinned produce, celery’s grooved stalks trap residue in the crevices.
A quick rinse alone won’t remove pesticides from celery because water can’t reach every ridge and valley.
You need a more thorough approach to really get celery clean.
3. You Often Eat Celery Raw
Celery is usually eaten raw in salads, juices, and snack trays.
Since there’s no cooking step to break down residues, removing pesticides from celery before eating it raw is key.
How to Remove Pesticides From Celery
Now for the good stuff.
Here are the most effective methods to remove pesticides from celery:
1. Rinse Under Running Water
Start by holding each stalk under cool running water.
Use your fingers or a soft vegetable brush to rub along the ridges.
This alone won’t remove pesticides from celery completely, but it knocks off a good chunk of surface residue.
2. Soak in a Vinegar Solution
Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water in a large bowl.
Soak your celery stalks for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Vinegar helps break down pesticide residue, and it’s one of the best ways to remove pesticides from celery naturally.
3. Use a Baking Soda Bath
Baking soda is another powerhouse for cleaning produce.
Add one teaspoon of baking soda to two cups of water and soak the celery for 10 minutes.
Studies show baking soda solutions can remove pesticides from celery and other produce more effectively than water alone.
4. Scrub the Stalks Gently
After soaking, take a soft brush and scrub along the ribs of each stalk.
This helps remove pesticides from celery that have settled deep in the grooves.
Be gentle so you don’t damage the stalks.
5. Rinse Again and Pat Dry
Give everything a final rinse under running water.
Then pat the stalks dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
Drying helps remove pesticides from celery that may still be clinging to the surface.
6. Peel the Outer Layers if Needed
If you want to be extra thorough, peel away the outermost strings and layers.
This can remove pesticides from celery that have soaked into the tougher outer fibers.
Extra Tips to Remove Pesticides From Celery
Here are a few bonus tips to keep in mind:
1. Buy Organic When You Can
Organic celery is grown without synthetic pesticides, so there’s less residue to worry about.
It’s still smart to wash it, but you won’t need to work as hard to remove pesticides from celery that’s organic.
2. Skip the Soap
Never use dish soap or bleach to remove pesticides from celery.
Produce is porous, and soap can soak in and make you sick.
Stick with water, vinegar, and baking soda.
3. Wash Right Before Eating
Wash celery right before you eat it, not right after you buy it.
Moisture speeds up spoilage, so dry celery lasts longer in the fridge.
4. Store Celery Properly
Wrap dry celery in foil or a paper towel and keep it in the crisper drawer.
This keeps it fresh longer so you can remove pesticides from celery and enjoy it all week.
5. Consider a Produce Wash
Store-bought produce washes can also help remove pesticides from celery.
Just follow the label instructions and rinse well afterward.
So, How to Remove Pesticides From Celery?
You can remove pesticides from celery by rinsing it under running water, soaking it in vinegar or baking soda, scrubbing the stalks, and rinsing again.
While no method removes pesticides from celery 100 percent, combining a few of these steps dramatically lowers what’s left behind.
And if you can swing it, buying organic celery gives you a head start.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy crisp, clean celery without the worry.