You should definitely eat your vegetables, but you should also definitely wash your vegetables first. Use the methods below to prepare your vegetables for plating.
With Vinegar
Vinegar is useful for killing 99% of bacteria, as well as a large percentage of mold and viruses. It is also a tasty dressing for salads, and a handy cleaner for vegetables.¹
You Will Need:
- Vinegar
- Salt
Steps to Clean the Veggies:
- Fill a dish pan with filtered water.
- Add ¼ cup of vinegar to the water.
- Add two tablespoons of salt to the water.
- Place the vegetables in the pan and allow them to soak for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse the vegetables with clean water.
With Baking Soda
A simple way to clean vegetables is with baking soda!²
You Will Need:
- Baking soda
Steps to Clean the Veggies:
- Rinse the vegetables with clean water.
- Moisten a scrub brush and sprinkle some baking soda onto the brush.
- Use the scrub brush to clean the vegetables.
- Rinse away any baking soda residue with water.
With Vinegar and Baking Soda
A vinegar and baking soda bath will get those vegetables ready to eat.³
You Will Need:
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
Steps to Clean the Veggies:
- Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 ½ cups of water in a large spray bottle.
- Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the solution.
- Slowly add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the solution. Be warned: combining baking soda and vinegar will instantly create expanding foam.
- Place the lid on the spray bottle and shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
- Thoroughly spray the vegetables with the solution and allow the vegetables to soak in the spray for several minutes.
- Use a scrub brush to clean the vegetables.
- Rinse the produce with clean water.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Leeks require a more thorough wash, as sand and dirt can easily lodge between the white membranes.⁴
- There is a commercial cleaner called Fruit and Veggie Wash made with plant-based surfactants available at most grocery stores and online.⁵
Sources
- Super Natural Home by Beth Greer
- Handy Household Hints from Heloise
- DIY Natural Cleaners by Matt and Betsy Jabs
- Vegetables by James Peterson
- Easy Green Living by Renee Loux
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