How to Properly Wash Produce (both organic and non-organic)

How to properly wash produce (both organic and non-organic)

by Shannon Bonsell

  1. Remove any stickers so that the section underneath can be cleaned.

  2. Wash your hands thoroughly.

  3. Cut away damaged or bruised areas.

  4. Soak veggies with bumpy surfaces, such as broccoli and cauliflower, for one to two minutes before rinsing.

  5. See Fruit Wash Recipes if you choose to use more than just water.

  6. Salad greens require special attention—see sidebar for instructions.

  7. Rinse produce with cool water.

  8. Scrub any fruits or veggies that have a thick skin, such as potatoes.

  9. Inspect to make sure there isn’t any visible dust or bugs.

  10. Dry produce with a clean paper towel.

  11. Once cut or peeled, refrigerate as soon as possible at 40ºF or below.

It’s important to remember that even after following all these steps, there’s a chance that pesticides may still inside of your produce where they can’t be removed, which is why nutrition experts recommend buying as much organic produce as possible.

The easiest way to handle greens is to store them in the refrigerator and not wash them until you use them.

How to Wash Your Salad Greens

  1. Discard any wilted outer leaves

  2. Separate the leaves of your greens

  3. Soak them in a bowl of cool water for a few minutes

  4. Drain them using a strainer or colander

  5. Dry the leaves with a clean towel or salad spinner

These suggestions apply to vegetables still sporting their leafy tops, like beets, carrots, and radishes. Cut them off the greens and store both parts separately. However you choose to store them, be sure to wash them extremely well as these greens can hide a lot of dirt and grit.

Homemade Fruit Wash Recipes

Super-Simple Veggie Wash

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

  • 1 cup cold tap water in a spray bottle

  • Mix, shake well, and apply to your produce.  Rinse with tap water before cooking or serving

Leafy Green Wash

  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar

  • 3 cups water

  • Mix the water and vinegar together in a bowl.  Allow your greens to soak in the bowl for about 2 minutes, then rinse them well.

This article was provided by Shannon Bonsell, Clinical Nutrition Manager at Jupiter Medical Center and FreshRx Planning Committee Member. If you want to find out more information about Jupiter Medical Center’s Nutrition Counseling Program click here.

Jonathan Caplan