With growing concern about the safety of conventionally grown fruits and veggies — and the relatively exorbitant prices of organic produce — properly washing produce is an important part of reducing exposure to pesticides, especially for children.
The Environmental Working Group recommends buying the organic variety of the fruits and vegetables on the “dirty dozen” list, but when you don’t buy organic, be sure to use produce wash to remove excess chemicals!
Dr. Oz recommends this homemade recipe for produce wash:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1/2 lemon
Mix in a large bowl (to allow for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda) and then pour into a spray bottle. Spray fruit and rinse well. Use a scrub brush for firmer produce.
Other people recommend simply sprinkling produce with baking soda and scrubbing it well, and others recommend a mix of vinegar and water. My guess is that any of these methods is significantly better than nothing at all!
Do you use a produce wash on your fruits and vegetables?
