Baking Soda: The Natural Veggie Washer
When it comes to washing your fruits and vegetables, baking soda offers an incredibly simple, yet effective solution. Not only does it remove dirt, wax and other residues from fruits and veggies, it can also alleviate pesticide residue and bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella, as it acts as a natural disinfectant and stain remover. This makes it a great choice for anyone concerned about their food’s safety and contamination.
Follow These Steps to Wash Veggies with Baking Soda
- Fill a bowl or sink with cool or lukewarm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot or too cold for you to place your hands in, as you will need to agitate it later.
- Add baking soda. Start off with adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda for every 4 cups (1 liter) of water. You can use more baking soda if your produce is really dirty, but be aware that using too much can leave a soapy taste on your produce.
- Agitate the water. Use your hands or a vegetable brush to mix the baking soda into the water and create a soapy solution.
- Soak the produce. Submerge the produce into the mixture and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. For tougher produce, you may need to let it sit even longer.
- Remove the produce and rinse. After soaking, remove the produce, rinse it off and then let it drain on a towel or drying rack.
Using baking soda instead of commercial solutions to wash your produce is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint. Baking soda is an abundant, naturally occurring substance that is non-toxic and biodegradable. Plus, it’s way less expensive than the alternatives on the market.
Tips for Washing With Baking Soda
- Don’t soak your produce for too long. Produce should not be soaked for more than 20 minutes.
- Wash delicate produce separately. Berries, grapes and cherries, for example, should be washed one at a time and handled with care, as they can easily bruise, squish or tear apart.
- Check the water. Make sure the water isn’t getting too dirty and murky, which can happen if the produce is very dirty. Discard the water and make a new baking soda mixture if necessary.
So, the next time you’re washing your produce, try using baking soda. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to make sure your food is free of dirt, bacteria, and pesticides. Plus, it’s totally natural, which means you can rest assured knowing that you’re taking good care of your fruits and vegetables.
