Choose a bowl that holds all the strawberries in one layer or close to it. Fill the bowl with cold water until the berries are mostly covered.

Sprinkle about one tablespoon of baking soda into the water. Swirl the water gently with your hand or a spoon until the baking soda dissolves. Baking soda helps loosen dirt and can reduce some residues.

Pour one tablespoon of vinegar into the bowl. The mixture may fizz a little. The vinegar helps break down surface grime.

Add the strawberries gently so they stay whole. Allow them to soak in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. If you like, stir very gently once or twice to help move water into crevices.

After 10 to 15 minutes, drain the baking soda and vinegar solution using a colander or carefully lift the berries from the bowl. Rinse the berries under running cold water for a few seconds, or place them in another bowl of plain cold water and let them sit for 5 minutes. Either option helps remove any remaining residue from the cleaning solution.

Let the strawberries sit in the colander and drain for a minute or two.

Lay the strawberries on a clean kitchen towel or on several layers of paper towels. Gently pat the tops and bottoms with another towel or paper towel until they feel dry. If berries are still damp, let them air dry for 10 to 30 minutes, checking that they are dry to the touch before storing.

Place the dry strawberries in a single layer in a shallow container lined with a paper towel. Close the container loosely or cover it with a lid that allows a little airflow. Refrigerate and use within two to three days