That apple 🍎Those grapes 🍇and yes, even your cucumber ⏤ all covered in dirt, bugs and pesticides 🤮Even if you buy organic produce, there is a strong chance it is covered in a pesticide or insecticide of some sort. Please make my DIY Produce Wash for Fruits & Vegetables and keep it clean!
About the ingredients/supplies
Distilled white vinegar
- An environmentally-friendly, yet effective cleaner
- Safe for use around children and pets
- An economical option with a long shelf life
Distilled (or filtered) water
- The best option for the cleanest produce wash possible
- If you don’t have distilled water, filtered water is a close second
- It doesn’t contain any of the nasty minerals found in tap water
Lemon essential oil
- Is antimicrobial, and inhibits the growth of bacteria
- Has purifying properties, and is a natural cleanser
Spray bottle or empty container
- I find it easiest to spray my produce as needed, but you could also bottle this solution and pour it into a produce bath (see the second check mark under How to use below 👇🏾).
- If you’re in need of a spray bottle, I’ve linked the one I use above
- I often repurpose old bottles and jars for my DIY products and cleaners which is an easy way to be more eco-friendly. Removing old product stickers and labels used to be quite the chore ⏤ but now it’s a breeze when I use my DIY Goo Gone to get the annoying sticky residue off.
How to make
- Remove the nozzle and get ready to add:
- 1.5 cups of Distilled (or filtered) water
- Next, add 1/2 cup of Distilled white vinegar
- And finally add 10 drops of Lemon essential oil
- Screw back on your nozzle and shake to combine.
- All done!
How to use
- Spray this DIY Produce Wash for Fruits & Vegetables liberally on fruit and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then, rinse and dry with a clean cloth before consuming.
- Alternatively, you could add the ingredients from above to a large bowl filled with your produce. Stir to fully incorporate and let sit for 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally. Finally, rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth or let air dry before consuming.