If you're concerned about pesticide residues on your fruits and vegetables, you're not alone. Americans are increasingly buying organic produce in an attempt to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides. Pesticide residues on produce may be of even greater concern if you have children in your family. It's been shown that the quantity of residues found on some produce can be more than the level deemed safe for kids. Unfortunately, organic produce may be hard to find and when it's available, it can be costly. The solution is to remove as much of the residue as possible on your own. Although there are veggie washes you can buy at the supermarket cleaning fruits and vegetables, it's simple to make your own homemade vegetable wash that will work just as well and costs only pennies. Here's how to make your own homemade vegetable wash:
Homemade Vegetable Wash #1
This homemade vegetable wash can be made from ingredients you already have in your cabinet. To make this simple wash, add a half cup of vinegar and four tablespoons salt to two cups of water. Stir the mixture thoroughly. You can apply the wash to a clean sponge and use it to lightly scrub your vegetables or place it in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the produce. Allow it set for a few minutes and rinse. It's completely safe, nontoxic, and won't affect the taste of your fruits or vegetable.
Homemade Vegetable Wash #2
Add four tablespoons of baking soda and four tablespoons lemon juice to two cups of water. Mix thoroughly. Apply this vegetable wash with a spray on bottle. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
To remove as much produce pesticide residue as possible, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with water first. Keep a clean scrub brush or textured sponge by the sink and lightly scrub the produce after rinsing. Remove the outside leaves since the outer surface is likely to have the highest concentration of pesticide residue. Apply homemade vegetable wash and rinse thoroughly. If a vegetable can be peeled, this can further reduce your exposure to pesticides. The drawback is you'll lose some of the healthy fiber that's found in the outer peel. Dry the produce thoroughly before chopping or cutting. After chopping fruits or vegetables always wash your cutting knife thoroughly and keep your vegetable crisper clean and sanitary.
Some people recommend using dishwashing detergent to remove pesticide residues from produce. While this is effective, dishwashing detergents may contain chlorine or other chemicals that are harmful. It's far healthier to use lemon juice or vinegar as the basis for your homemade vegetable wash.
There's no need to buy those expensive produce washes when you can make your own homemade vegetable wash at home. It's simple, inexpensive, and it works.
