If you follow me on InstaStories (@lo_chandler) you’ve seen my weekly non-toxic produce wash in action! I started washing my produce with this method about 3 years ago when I got Salmonella poisoning. To my surprise, they told me it was likely caused by unwashed produce!!
Have you ever thought about how many hands touch your apple before you picked it up at the grocery store? How many different trucks it traveled on? Or if someone touched all the raw chicken and then came over and picked up your apple?!
I wanted to find a way to thoroughly clean my produce but didn’t like the harsh ingredients in the packaged produce washes I found. I set out to make my own Lo-Tox produce wash and have been using it ever since! These three techniques will help wash away pesticides, wax, insects, mold, herbicides, fungus, and dirt!
Here’s how it’s done: *These are three different techniques, either one of them will get the job done. I find myself reaching for baking soda more often because that is I tend to have on hand.
The Vinegar Method: A solution of about 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water can help reduce some bacteria and mold on the surface. Soak produce in the solution for 10-15 minutes, rinse well with clean water to remove the vinegar taste.
The Baking Soda Method: A baking soda solution (about 1 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons per quart/liter of water) can help remove certain pesticide residues from the surface of some produce. Soak produce in the solution for 10–15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
The Branch Basics Method: I like to do this when using a mixing bowl. Add a cap full of the Branch Basics Concentrate to a bowl of water, and soak produce in the solution for 10-15 minutes. If you want to try Branch Basics, you can use this code LOCHANDLER for 15% off your order.
*Don’t use vinegar and baking soda together* They react with each other to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate. This reaction neutralizes the acidity of the vinegar and the alkalinity of the baking soda, so you largely lose the specific cleaning properties of each.
TIPS:
- If you have a large haul, you can do this directly in the sink, however I usually line up glass Pyrexs or large mixing bowls and add the solution to the bowls.
- If I do use my sink, I make sure clean it really well with my Branch Basics cleaner
- I soak everything with a “thick” skin (bell peppers, bananas) for a full 15 minutes
- For “thin” skinned items like strawberries I will only leave in for 5 minutes
- Only wash berries within 24 hours of when you plan to eat them, they will not keep for long once they have been cleaned
- Lay flat on a paper towel and allow to dry completely before storing, as it will grow bacteria if stored wet
Thanks so much for reading!! If you are interested in more Lo-Tox living, you can check out this post for more of favorite Lo-Tox cleaners. Tag me on instagram if you try my favorite Lo-Tox Produce Wash, @lo_chandler !!
xoxo- Lo
