The Waterless Cloth Method

• If you are afraid of your mushrooms absorbing too much water, waterless cleaning is the way to prep. Use a cotton cloth to gently wipe away the dirt and debris from the outside of the mushroom. Pay special attention to the stalk and the edges of the mushroom cap. Don't rub the mushroom too hard; doing so can damage the delicate tissue, causing a bruise and changing the texture of the mushroom.

The Brush Method

• Brushing can remove dirt and debris without water. You can buy a soft brush made for removing the dirt from mushrooms or use a brush you already have in the kitchen. Lightly sweep the dirt particles off the mushroom cap and stem. Don't apply too much pressure. Doing so can damage the mushroom.

The Rinse Method

• If you aren't afraid of getting your mushrooms wet, rinse them under running water to get rid of dirt particles. Turn the water on a low setting and pass the mushroom under the water stream until it is clean. More than one pass is often necessary. Gently dry the mushroom with a towel before cooking.

The Submersion Method

• Submerging the mushrooms is reserved for mushrooms that are considerably dirty. It involves placing a mushroom in a deep bowl of water and swishing the mushroom around in the water until the dirt is removed. Repeat if necessary. Place the wet mushroom on a towel to dry or towel-dry it before cooking. Don't leave the mushrooms in the water to soak; doing so can cause the mushroom absorb the water and swell.