How to Wash Fruits And Vegetables Perfectly

Rinsing fruit and vegetables under running water may not be enough to remove pesticide residues. Unless it is organic fruit and vegetables, in fact, it is important to avoid any risks by washing it thoroughly, so as to eliminate all the chemicals present. This does not mean resorting to chemical detergents, which we can find on the market, but using natural solutions such as bicarbonate, salt, vinegar, lemon, to eat our food in peace. So, let us find out how to wash fruit and vegetables in a natural way and the rules for proper cleaning and storage.

Bicarbonate

Baking soda is one of the most effective remedies for disinfecting fruit and vegetables before consuming them. First, immerse the fruit in water to remove the dirt. For thorough cleaning, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in two cups of water, and leave the food to soak for at least 15 minutes. Scrub well to eliminate bacteria: you can also use a brush in case of stubborn dirt. Finally, rinse carefully under running water before consuming. A best vegetable purifier can also be used in such case if you don’t want to compromise with food you cook to your health.

Baking soda and lemon

The bicarbonate can also be used in combination with lemon and water. Dilute 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in 250 ml of water. Mix all the ingredients until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Pour the solution obtained into a spray bottle and spray on the fruit or vegetables, after washing it with water. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse for about thirty seconds before eating it. If you do not want to use the spray method, you can simply dip fruit and vegetables in a bowl of water, in which you have dissolved a spoonful of lemon juice and two of baking soda. Leave to soak for 10 minutes and rinse well.

White vinegar

Even the white vinegar carries out a sanitizing. In this case, make a solution with half water and half vinegar, immerse the fruit and vegetables, and let them soak for about half an hour. Rinse the fruit under running water for at least 30 seconds: help yourself with a toothbrush to clean up the most stubborn dirt. White vinegar is very effective in removing pesticides from fruit, the only flaw of this method could be related to the smell it could leave on the vegetables. It may therefore happen that you eat fruit with an aftertaste of vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar and salt

The combination of apple cider vinegar and salt has a double action on fruit and vegetables: apple cider vinegar eliminates mold spores present on vegetables, while salt preserves their freshness and taste. Fill the sink with water and add a handful of salt. Stir to dissolve the salt well and then add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Dip the fruit or vegetables into it and stir for a few minutes. Finally, rinse the vegetables under fresh running water to remove any residual dirt.

Grapefruit extract and baking soda

This natural remedy consists of mixing 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract, a tablespoon of baking soda, a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water. Dilute everything very well and pour the mixture into a bottle with a nebulizer to spray the liquid on fruits and vegetables before eating them.

The rules for proper cleaning and storage of fruit and vegetables

Once you have washed fruit and vegetables with the methods we have proposed, you must follow a series of tips to keep your vegetables at an optimal level. Let us start with the purchase phase: it is important to know where the food comes from. The advice is to buy from the greengrocer, compared to large retailers, to have a higher quality product. Do not use chemicals to clean fruit and vegetables: the remedies we have described are effective and, above all, natural. Wash your hands before cleaning and preparing food and also wash them immediately after handling fruit and vegetables. Always keep the fridge shelves clean and those of the kitchen, as well as pots, cutlery and cutting boards. Do not leave fruits and vegetables in the plastic bags, but place them in paper bags, which favor the correct recycling of air, protecting the food. Always wash the vegetables in the bag, even if on the label you find the words “already washed”. Once peeled and cut, fruit or vegetables must be kept in the fridge within two hours but never in the freezer. Once washed, fruit and vegetables should not be refrigerated to avoid the development of pathogenic germs.