Even if you buy organic, it's a good idea to wash your produce before you consume it to rid it of germs or residue. While water works, a wash can help you use less water; they're also effective at forcing out any bugs. Here are two fruit and vegetable washes that you can make at home that will be cheaper than any of those products you can buy...
Produce Wash
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 20 drops grapefruit seed extract (available at Whole Foods or your local health food store or you can substitute lemon juice in a pinch)
Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce (avoid using on mushrooms), let sit 5 to 10 minutes and rinse.
Alternative (good for berries, beans and smaller produce)
- Large bowl or sink of cool water
- 4 tablespoons salt
- Juice of 1/2 lemon.
Combine water and salt. When salt has dissolved, add lemon juice. Soak produce for 10 minutes and rinse.
[image: trekkyandy's Flickr, with a Creative Commons License]
Thank you for this!
view SoSue's profile
How long does this stuff keep? Do I have to use it all in one shot?
view witchbaby's profile
I don't think I'd soak berries in a lemon brine.
view laila's profile
The recipes are functionally the same, since acid base (vinegar & baking soda) react to yield water and salt. I'm not sure how much baking soda it takes to neutralize a whole cup of vinegar, but my hunch is that you'd wind up with some acidity left. I think the main choice here is whether you want the wash to smell like vinegar or lemon.
view pooq's profile
one of my passions is avoiding the use of harmful chemicals in the home, keeping both people and product safe.
if you'd like more information on my Veggie Wash solution, please see http://safespray.com/products.htm
view Andy Wilhoit-Safe Spray CEO's profile
You obviously have not heard that Whole Foods is off the shopping lists now. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere.
Do a Google on Whole Foods CEO ranting against health care reform.
view cheep3r5's profile
"You obviously have not heard that Whole Foods is off the shopping lists now. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere.
Do a Google on Whole Foods CEO ranting against health care reform."
Why would this remove Whole Foods from the shopping lists? Because someone exercised their right to speak? Like you just did? I think there are more questions than answers in this "reform" product and it should be repaired before passed. That doesn't make these people unaware; it just makes you pushy and limited in your thinking.
view beg pardon's profile
Oh man, I thought Whole Foods was caught selling Soylent Green!
In any case, thanks for the recipes!
view fresh.air's profile