Tip of the week: Cleaning non organic fruits and vegetables

Hi Everyone,

Over a month ago, a friend emailed me and asked the best way to clean non- organic fruits and veggies.
In the past, I have always used diluted hydrogen peroxide.  Before I emailed her back, I decided to do a little research on the topic and share my findings with you all.

Here is the scoop. Firstly, before we get into a cleaning solution, it's important to know the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15.

Here is a list of fruits and veggies that are on the EWG( Environmental Working Group)
Dirty Dozen list (these are to avoid because of their high pesticide content):

1. apples
2. celery
3. sweet bell peppers
4. peaches
5. strawberries
6. nectarines
7. grapes
8. spinach
9. lettuce
10. cucumbers
11. blueberries
12. potatoes
*green beans
*kale (also recommended to avoid)

Here are the clean 15 (okay to eat non-organic)
1. onions
2. sweet corn
3. pineapples
4. avocado
5. cabbage
6. sweet peas
7. asparagus
8. mangoes
9. eggplant
10. kiwi
11. cantaloupe
12. sweet potato
13. grapefruit
14. watermelon
15. mushroom

Here is what I have come up with fruit and veggie cleaners:

1. A combination of white or cider vinegar with 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed in a spray bottle ( the site didn't say how much of each so I would do half and half).  Use a dark spray bottle (can try using the bottle the hydrogen peroxide is in and just add a sprayer).  Keep by sink and spray veggies with it and then wipe off with clean, wet sponge and then rinse with water.

2. Mix 1 tbsp of lemon and 2 tbsp of baking soda in spray bottle with one cup of water.  Follow the above procedure.

3. 1 tbsp lemon juice & 2 tbsp white vinegar (distilled) & 1 cup water in spray bottle.  Follow the above procedure for cleaning.

4. 4 tbsp salt & juice of 1/2 lemon. Fill a large bowl with water and add the salt and lemon juice.  Let fruit and veggies soak for about 5-10 minutes and then rinse off.

Happy fruit and veggie washing to you!
Lysa