If you'd like to give your fruits and vegetables a more thorough cleaning than just rinsing them under water, try one of these DIY ideas for either soaking your produce or using a homemade spray.
Author: Beverly
Materials:
Vinegar or Baking Soda
Water
Instructions:
3 ways to use Vinegar as a produce wash:
Idea #1 - Add 1/2 cup of Vinegar to about 8 cups of water in a salad spinner or large bowl. This is especially helpful for berries to make them last longer. Rinse the produce and then soak them in the vinegar and water mixture for 2 to 5 minutes. Softer berries like raspberries should only soak for 2 minutes while firmer berries like strawberries or blueberries can soak for 5 minutes. Then remove them from the soaking water, do not rinse, and set them out on a towel to dry. Make sure they are thoroughly dry before packing them away. A piece of paper toweling placed in the container with the washed berries will help them last longer too.
Idea #2 - For a larger batch of soaking mixture, add 1 cup vinegar to about 16 to 20 cups of water in a clean sink and let produce soak for 5 to 15 minutes. If these are fruits and vegetables that don't easily mold like berries, then you can rinse them when you are done soaking, set them out on a towel to completely dry.
Idea #3 - If you would like to make a homemade produce cleaning spray, mix 2 tablespoons vinegar with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Give the produce an initial rinse with plain water, then spray it with the homemade veggie wash spray, let the produce rest for a few minutes with the spray on it (or give it a scrub if needed), and then rinse again with water.
2 Ways to use Baking Soda as a produce wash:
Idea #1 - To soak produce items using baking soda, combine 1/3 cup baking soda with about 30 cups of water in a clean sink. Let items soak for about 15 minutes, then rinse them with cool water, and set out on a towel to completely dry.
Idea #2 - To make a smaller batch of the baking soda mixture, add a spoonful of baking soda to about 6 cups of water in a mixing bowl. Let items soak for about 15 minutes, rinse, and then set out on a towel to completely dry.