Millions of people get sick every year from consuming dirty produce, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Therefore, it is important to always wash your produce before using it, regardless of whether you intend to consume it raw or cooked. Unfortunately, many commercial produce washes that are available in the marketplace contain high amounts of chemicals, so it is best to make your own produce wash.

You can easily get rid of some of the bacteria on your produce by rinsing it in plain water for 20 seconds. To help get rid of even more of the bacteria that might be on your produce, try these simple-to-make homemade fruit and veggie washes.

Keep in mind that many pesticides end up inside produce and can’t be removed. Therefore, you may want to consider buying certified-organic produce when possible.

Simple Veggie Wash

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup cold water

Put all ingredients in a spray bottle. Mix, shake well, and spray on your produce. Rinse with water before cooking or serving.

Foamy Veggie Wash
(This is a foamy alternative to the Simple Veggie Wash.)

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 cup cold water

Put all ingredients in a spray bottle. Mix, shake well, spray on your produce, and let sit for five minutes. Rinse with water and pat dry before cooking or serving.

Leafy Green Wash

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 cups water

Mix the water and vinegar together in a bowl. Soak your greens in the bowl for about two minutes, then rinse them well.

According to the CDC, leafy greens are more likely than other forms of produce to be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. You might also want to add a tablespoon or two of salt to the wash – studies show that vinegar has the ability to kill E. coli bacteria even more when salt is added to the wash.

Do you struggle with preparing clean, healthy food? Get free instant access to shopping guides, checklists, e-books, & more about clean, healthy eating and edible gardens!