Did you know that even if you buy organic produce, you should still clean it with a fruit and vegetable cleaner? Due to cross-pollination and high winds, pesticides can easily be carried over into organic farms. It’s important to clean ALL fruits and vegetables with a cleaner that will eliminate pesticides. Produce can also contain bacteria and dirt, whether or not it’s organic, so it should be cleaned with the right ingredient.
If you buy non-organic items with thick skin, like pineapple, oranges and bananas and cut it at any time, you could be transferring pesticides right into the meat of the fruit. Even thick skinned produce, should be cleaned in order to eliminate the pesticides.
There are so many pricey fruit and vegetable cleaners that may not even be effective. My favorite way to clean my produce is with one simple ingredient you probably already have in your cupboard, hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant that can eliminate much of the pesticide residue found on produce along with dirt and bacteria. It is safe to use, as our body actually makes it’s own hydrogen peroxide for cell health.
Here’s what you need:
- 1 large clean bowl
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (if using food grade, use only 1 TB as it has a higher concentration)
- Filtered water
Fill the bowl with hydrogen peroxide and filtered water. Soak fruit and veggies for 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. That’s it! Super cheap and easy!
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