Marcia (Battle Axe) a gal here told me to soak everything that comes in from the garden in Apple Cider Vinegar before I do anything else with it. That includes anything you bring home from the store too. You never know where its been or whose touched it. Think the vinegar kills any germs, dirt, etc. that might still be on it. I've been doing it for the past couple years and after rinsing I can't tell I even had it in vinegar. Doesn't seem to matter how long you soak either. Sometimes I leave it in for 5-10 minutes, other times it might be an hour. All depends on what else I'm doing at the time. Rather be safe than sorry. And she said Apple Cider Vinegar so I get the gallon size of the cheaper stuff. The vinegar with the "mother" in it I keep for drinking.