Cleaning Vegetables with Baking Soda
Baking soda is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used for cleaning, cooking, and even health-related remedies. In addition, it has many potential uses in the kitchen, including cleaning vegetables! Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Rinse Vegetables
Always make sure to rinse your vegetables thoroughly before prepping. This helps to remove dirt and debris from the produce. You can also use cold water to remove any pesticides, wax, or wax residue from the vegetables.
Step 2: Make a Baking Soda Solution
Create a baking soda solution by adding a few tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl of water. Stir the solution until the baking soda is fully dissolved.
Step 3: Soak the Vegetables
Place the vegetables in the baking soda solution and allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes. Make sure all the vegetables are fully submerged in the solution.
Step 4: Scrub with a Brush
Using a soft-bristled vegetable brush, scrub the vegetables gently to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 5: Rinse Again
Rinse the vegetables with cold water and make sure that any remaining baking soda solution is fully removed.
Step 6: Dry
Pat the vegetables dry with a clean dish cloth or paper towel.
Additional Tips
- Be gentle: when scrubbing the vegetables, use light pressure and use the brush only if necessary.
- Add vinegar: for an extra boost of cleaning power, add a few tablespoons of white vinegar to the baking soda solution.
- Sanitize: if the vegetables were exposed to unsanitary surfaces or touched with dirty hands, use 1 teaspoon of bleach for every quart of water in the baking soda solution.
Using baking soda is an easy way to clean vegetables and remove any dirt or debris. Just make sure to always rinse your vegetables before prepping, and be gentle when scrubbing.