5 Common Mistakes When Washing White Rice

Washing white rice before cooking is an important step to remove dust, dirt, and traces of arsenic that may still remain on the surface. It also helps reduce excess starch so the cooked rice doesn’t turn out too sticky or hard. But if done incorrectly, it can lead to rice that’s bland, soggy, or unevenly cooked. 

To avoid these issues, make sure to steer clear of the most common mistakes people make when washing rice. Let’s go through them one by one, so your rice always turns out soft, fragrant, and delicious!  

1. Not Washing Your Hands First

Many people jump straight into washing rice without washing their hands. But your hands may carry bacteria, oil, or residue from other ingredients—especially after touching money, handling raw meat, or using dirty surfaces.
 
This contamination can cause the rice to spoil more quickly after it’s cooked. To prevent this, always wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and rinse thoroughly before handling rice.
 

2. Using Hot Water to Wash Rice

Some believe that hot water can clean rice more effectively by killing germs. Are you one of them?
 
In reality, hot water may partially cook the rice before it’s time. This leads to uneven texture—soft on the outside but hard on the inside. Plus, hot water can dissolve and wash away B vitamins and essential minerals.
 
Solution: Use cool or room-temperature water to wash rice and keep its quality intact.
 

3. Using Dirty or Contaminated Water

 
The cleanliness of your water matters as much as the rice itself. If the water is cloudy or contains bacteria, it can transfer to the rice, resulting in slimy, mushy, and foul-smelling rice that spoils quickly.
 
Make sure you use clean, filtered, or drinking-quality water, especially for the final rinse. If your tap water is cloudy or has a strong chemical smell, switch to filtered or sterilized water for better results.
 

4. Washing Rice for Too Long

 
Many people think that the longer you wash rice, the cleaner it gets. But over-washing can strip away important nutrients found on the outer layer of the rice grain. It can also cause the grains to absorb too much water, leading to overly soft or mushy rice.
 
For best results, rinse the rice 2–3 times until the water is just slightly cloudy. This ensures the rice is clean while retaining some of its natural starch and nutritional value.
 

5. Scrubbing the Rice Too Hard

 
Beginners often scrub rice too aggressively, hoping to remove dirt faster. But harsh scrubbing can damage the outer layer of the grains, removing essential nutrients and breaking the rice into smaller pieces.
 
Instead, gently stir the rice in a circular motion using your fingers or a soft spoon. This keeps the grains intact while still washing them thoroughly, resulting in soft, fluffy rice.
 

Final Tip: Use Quality Rice

Washing rice the right way is crucial for clean, fluffy, and delicious rice. But beyond that, the quality of the rice itself plays a major role in the final result.
 
For best results, choose Beras Maknyuss—a premium rice brand with consistent quality, perfect fluffiness, and no added preservatives, bleach, or fragrance. Beras Maknyuss is processed using advanced technology and hygienic packaging to preserve its natural freshness and aroma.

Make every meal more enjoyable with Beras Maknyuss. Find it today at your nearest supermarket, rice shop, or official Maknyuss partner near you!