I am sure you all experience the same daily heat advisories that we do, and frankly... I am already over it! We have loads of Pumpkins to harvest, Beans, and Peas to pick, and it's simply too hot to enjoy gardening work! With the upcoming growing season, we're excited to feed our Roaches more homegrown things, and while we do not use pesticides of any kind, we still wash our Veggies properly, just in case. Today I decided I'd share a simple DIY vegetable wash recipe with you!
Making a DIY vegetable cleaner is easy and can help remove dirt, pesticides, and other residues from your fruits and vegetables. Here's a simple and effective recipe using common household ingredients:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added freshness)
Instructions:
In a large bowl or a clean spray bottle, mix together the water, white vinegar, and baking soda. If using lemon juice, add it to the mixture as well.
Stir the ingredients until the baking soda is dissolved. If you're using a spray bottle, shake it gently to ensure everything is mixed well.
Before cleaning the vegetables, remove any large dirt or debris by rinsing them under running water and gently rubbing them with your hands.
Submerge the vegetables in the DIY cleaner solution or use the spray bottle to generously spray them, ensuring all surfaces are covered.
Let the vegetables sit in the solution for about 5 minutes. This allows the cleaner to break down dirt, pesticides, and other residues effectively.
After soaking, scrub the vegetables gently with a vegetable brush or your hands to remove any remaining dirt.
Rinse the vegetables thoroughly under running water to wash away the cleaning solution and any loosened impurities.
Pat the vegetables dry with a clean towel or let them air dry before storing or using them.
Important Notes:
This DIY vegetable cleaner is safe to use on most fruits and vegetables, but it's always a good idea to test it on a small portion first, especially for delicate produce.
The mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda works well as a natural cleanser due to vinegar's acidity and baking soda's mild abrasive action.
Lemon juice adds a fresh scent and may provide additional cleansing properties, but it's optional.
For leafy greens and fragile vegetables, such as lettuce or berries, you can use the spray bottle to lightly mist the cleaner on the produce instead of soaking them.
Always wash your hands before handling fruits and vegetables, even if you plan to peel them.
Using this DIY vegetable cleaner can help ensure that your produce is thoroughly cleaned and safe to eat. Remember to store the cleaning solution in a cool, dark place and label it appropriately for future use.
We hope you find this helpful! :)
Cheers,
Mel & Chris
Luna Roaches