They may look shiny and clean, but its best to prep them properly.

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Bell peppers always look like theyre not real.

They are usually so perfect and bright and colorful but that doesnt mean you dont have to wash them.

Red, green and yellow peppers on a cutting board

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Washing them helps get rid of residue.

Fortunately, it doesnt take much to clean them.

see to it to pay attention to all the nooks and crannies where dirt can hide.

Soak peppers for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Whatever you choose, be sure to skip the produce wash, soap, and detergents, says theU.S.

Those products havent been tested for safety and could make you sick if you end up swallowing them.

Dont Wash Peppers Right Away

Wait to clean your peppers until youre ready to use them.

Washing them before storage can introduce moisture, leading to faster spoilage, says Swamy.

Stored this way, they should last last 1 to 2 weeks.

If you have too many peppers to eat in a week or so, head for the freezer.

Slice into matchsticks and freeze in a single layer before putting in a freezer-safe plastic bag, Marcus suggests.

Theyll be perfect for future use in astir fryorstew.