Over-the-counter fruit and veggie washes can be quite spendy. Have you considered making your own homemade wash? You won’t believe how easy (and cheap) it is.
One day I had some extra time to kill at the grocery store. While I was meandering through the aisles, I ran across bottles of fruit and veggie wash. Honestly, I feel like I have lived under a rock because I did not know they even made such a thing. May I just say that I about fell over when I saw the price!!! Over $7 for 32 ounces. Whew!!! I cannot imagine spending that kind of money on a cleaner than I can make at home for pennies. Can you?
It is so easy to make homemade fruit and veggie wash with ingredients from your pantry. Yep. Your pantry. How cool is that?! I love knowing that there are no added chemicals or preservatives in my homemade wash. I try to buy organic fruits and vegetables but it is not always possible. Did you know that even organic produce can be sprayed with pesticides? Yep, the chemicals used in the pesticides just have to meet FDA standards. Ugh! Organic or not, I wash all of my produce even if it comes from local farmers.
While plain water will wash off some of the bacteria it does not kill all the germs. I use two staples from my pantry, white vinegar and baking soda, to clean all of my fruits and vegetables. (I also use these two ingredients to clean throughout my whole house. However, we will save that conversation for a later date!) In less than a minute, I can have fresh fruits and vegetables soaking in this all natural cleaner.
3 Tips for Washing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Use a clean, large bowl or your kitchen sink. (I use my dish washing tub and put my colander in the farmhouse sink next to it for easier rinsing.)
- Let produce soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse in cool water and allow to air dry before storing.
If I have a small amount of fruit (like a handful of berries), I put them in a small strainer and using a spray bottle, spray the wash on them and let them sit before rinsing. This little tip is a great time saver!
Homemade Fruit and Veggie Wash
Ingredients:
Cool water
1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar
1/8 to 1/4 cup baking soda
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a clean sink or large mixing bowl.
- Add fruits and vegetables. Allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse with clean, cool water and air dry.
Don’t you just love easy?! I certainly do.
Did you know baking soda is great for cleaning other appliances? Click the photo below to see how I use it to clean my farmhouse sink.
Are you overwhelmed regarding creating a gluten-free kitchen? Click on the photo below for some great tips!
