Reduce bacteria and pesticide residue on fresh foods.

It might seem like a no-brainer: wash your vegetables. Local farmers markets have signs up at their booths encouraging customers to wash their produce before consuming.

Why Wash Vegetables?

One of the first things to consider is the possibility of bacteria and contaminants that may have settled on the fruit or vegetables in the shipping process. How many unwashed hands have handled that single tomato between the farm and the grocery store?

Then there’s the leftover pesticides that can be toxic to humans and pets. And some vendors spray fruit and veggies with wax to enhance coloring and prolong freshness.

Homemade Vegetable Wash

A quick veggie wash can be made using ingredients from most kitchen pantries. Use the wash to remove contaminants, pesticide residue, and food wax from fresh produce.

1. Mix together 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice (preferably fresh but concentrate is fine too), and 2 tablespoons baking soda. Pour into squeeze bottle, spritz bottle or preferred container. Apply to produce then rinse and wipe off or let air dry.
2. Another variation would be to omit the lemon juice and use apple cider vinegar.

Produce Cleaners from the Grocery Store

Not into homemade? Pick up a bottle of Bi-O-Kleen, Veggie Wash or Eat Cleaner. Follow directions on the label to clean up veggies and/or fruit ready for that big bite!