How to Wash & Store Blackberries to Prevent Mold

Download Article

Plus, expert tips from private chef Jeff Woodward on how to store and freeze blackberries

Co-authored by Chef Jeff Woodward and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: December 29, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Should you wash before storing?
|
• Prepping & Storing Blackberries
|
• Where to Store Them
|
• How long do they last?
|
• Freezing Blackberries
|
• What to Do with Mushy Blackberries
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Do you ever feel like you buy fresh blackberries just to throw them out a day or two later? Blackberries are pretty delicate, but don’t resign yourself to tossing them just yet. You may be able to extend the freshness of your blackberries and keep them from molding for up to a week. We talked to private chef Jeff Woodward to help us explain exactly what to do, from how (and whether) to wash them before storing them to our best storage tips, so let’s get started!

How do you store blackberries after washing them to prevent mold?

Private chef Jeff Woodward recommends storing blackberries in a container that lets air circulate around them. Here’s how to prep them:

1. Soak the berries in 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water for 5 minutes.
2. Drain the berries and rinse them in cool water.
3. Spread the blackberries on a single layer on paper towels.
4. Let the berries air dry for up to an hour.
5. Store the berries in a ventilated container lined with paper towels.
6. Refrigerate for up to a week.

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

Should you wash blackberries before storing them?

Download Article

1. 
   1
   No, it’s actually best to wash blackberries right before you eat them. Moisture can cause blackberries to spoil more quickly. If you’re planning to eat the berries fairly quickly, it’s often better to store them dry and wait to wash them until right before you eat them. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do:

   • Go through the container and remove any mushy, moldy, or dried-out berries.
   • Line the original container (or another container) with paper towels, then carefully put the unwashed berries back into the container.
   • Place them in the fridge.
   • Before you eat the berries, gently swish them in a bowl full of cold water, then drain them in a colander and enjoy.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Chef Jeff Woodward is a private chef and the owner of The Rogue Chef in Branson, MO. Some of his notable clients include The Harlem Globetrotters, Justin Timberlake, Mark Wahlberg, and Peyton Manning.
2. 
   2
   If you really need to wash them before storage, soak the berries in vinegar. Washing blackberries in vinegar may help prolong their freshness. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts cool water in a large bowl. Carefully place the berries into a colander, then place the colander into the bowl of water. Let the blackberries soak in the vinegar mixture for about 5 minutes, then remove the colander and rinse the berries again under cool running water.

   • The vinegar will help kill mold spores and bacteria on the berries, which can help them last longer.
   • Rinsing the berries with running water after should remove any vinegar taste.
   • Make sure to dry the blackberries completely before storing them—wet berries are more likely to spoil and grow mold.
   • If you don’t have vinegar, soak the blackberries in 120–140 °F (49–60 °C) water for about 30 seconds, then dry them.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 6:

How to Prep & Store Blackberries

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Spread the freshly-washed blackberries on a dishcloth or paper towels. After soaking and rinsing the blackberries, lay them out in a single layer on paper towels or a clean dish towel. Use another paper towel or cloth to gently blot the blackberries dry, but take care not to damage the fruit.

   • The blackberries may release some juice, so keep in mind that any dish towel you use may become stained.
   • If you have a salad spinner, line it with about 3 layers of paper towels, then gently place the blackberries inside. Spin them for about 15 seconds or until they’re dry.
2. 
   2
   Allow the blackberries to air dry for 30–60 minutes. Leave the blackberries on the dishcloth or paper towels for up to an hour to ensure they’re completely dry. Any dampness on the berries will contribute to mold growth, causing them to spoil much more quickly.

   • Cover the berries with another clean cloth or layer of paper towels if you’re concerned about leaving them exposed.
3. 
   3
   Line a container with paper towels. Chef Woodward recommends storing blackberries in a container that allows air to circulate around them. Try to find a shallow, ventilated container, and line it with paper towels. Both the paper towels and some air flow will prevent moisture from sitting on the berries, causing them to spoil. And a wide, shallow container will mean fewer berries are stacked on top of each other, which may limit damage to the fruit. There are several container options you can use:

   • The original packaging
   • A food saver container that allows airflow while preventing the berries from touching the bottom
   • A glass jar with the lid left partially open
   • A shallow food storage container with the lid left slightly open
4. 
   4
   Add the berries in a single layer, if possible. If you’re using a wide enough container, gently add the berries so they’re spread out in a single layer. If you’re using something like a mason jar, place a paper towel between each layer of berries. This will absorb extra moisture and help prevent the berries from smushing each other.

   • Don’t seal the lid of your container tightly, leave it slightly open to allow air flow.
   • Refrigerate the blackberries for up to a week.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 6:

What is the best refrigerator location for berries?

Download Article

1. 
   Place blackberries in the crisper drawer or the back of the fridge. Pick a cool spot where the temperature won’t fluctuate a lot. Ideally, blackberries should be kept between 32–35 °F (0–2 °C) and at 90–95% humidity.

   • The crisper drawer is a good option because you can adjust its humidity level.
   • A shelf near the bottom or back of the fridge will also work well.

Section 4 of 6:

How long do washed blackberries last?

Download Article

1. 
   Blackberries can last up to 5–7 days if you soak them in vinegar. Blackberries are a relatively delicate fruit, and they usually only last a few days. If you soak them in vinegar and dry them very well before storing them, they may stay good for up to a week—but Chef Woodward recommends using them within 3–4 days.

   • Check the berries regularly, removing any that are moldy or mushy.
Advertisement

Section 5 of 6:

Can you freeze blackberries after washing?

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Yes, you can freeze blackberries on a baking sheet after washing. Carefully pat the blackberries completely dry with a dish towel or paper towels. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then place the blackberries on the baking sheet in a single layer so they aren’t touching each other. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 hours, then transfer the blackberries to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag labeled with the date.

   • If you don’t dry the blackberries before you freeze them, ice will form on the berries, and they’ll be mushier when you thaw them out.
   • Placing the blackberries in a single layer keeps them from sticking together when they’re frozen.
   • Blackberries will last up to a year in the freezer.
2. 
   2
   Try dry ice for an even fresher result. Chef Woodward says that the best way to freeze berries is with dry ice. “Dry ice will allow you to have fresher, not so squishy berries when they thaw,” he says. To do this, line a sheet tray with parchment paper, then “spread the blackberries in one even layer.”

   • Place the tray in the bottom of a cooler, then place small cups on the tray as spacers and put an empty sheet tray on top. Then, follow proper safety measures and carefully place about 3 lb (1.4 kg) of dry ice on top of the empty sheet tray, says Chef Woodward.
   • Chef Woodward says to cover the cooler and let it sit for about an hour. After that, check the berries to make sure they’re frozen. If they are, he says to transfer them to freezer bags and put them in the freezer.
   • If you have a lot of berries, Chef Woodward recommends stacking the trays on top of each other, using cups as spacers between each layer.
Advertisement

Section 6 of 6:

What should you do with mushy blackberries?

Download Article

1. 
   Use soft blackberries in smoothies, jams, or purees. Blackberries can get a little mushy if they’re overripe, bruised, or recently thawed out. But as long as they’re obviously not spoiled or moldy, you can use them. Chef Woodward recommends using them to “bake with and to make different sauces with.” For instance:

   • Add them to your favorite fruit smoothie.
   • Make a homemade blackberry jam.
   • Put them in a blackberry pie or cobbler.
   • Cook them down into blackberry syrup or blackberry compote.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!