Okay, be honest with me. Do you wash your fruits and vegetables?
I’ve discovered everyone interprets the meaning of ‘washing’ a little different. Do you think blowing off any visible dirt or rubbing it on your shirt is a valid cleansing method? Or do you briefly run it under water or give it a ‘spit shine’ and think it will do the trick? I’m here to tell ya… If you don’t wash them, THEY’RE DISGUSTINGLY DIRTY! They have wax, pesticides, soil, and other things such as bacteria that can lead to food-borne illnesses. Trust me. It’s worth the few extra seconds to clean your veggies.
These grapes have NOT been washed. Do you notice the wax, dirt, and film on their surface?
These grapes have now been washed and rinsed with WATER ONLY. They don’t look much different than the previous picture, right?
These grapes have been WASHED with Fit Fruit & Vegetable Wash and rinsed. Look at their clean and smooth surface! Not only can you see a distinct difference, you can feel and taste the difference.
You’ll never look back. Promise.
Fit: Fruit and Vegetable Wash has become a kitchen essential here at No Diets Allowed. Fit Fruit & Vegetable Wash is a 100% natural produce wash. I’ve tried NUMEROUS different produce washes and methods, but I keep coming back to Fit.
Tips and Suggestions for washing fruits and vegetables
1) Fit has 12 oz spray bottles and 32 oz large refill bottles (picture above). The spray bottle is reusable, of course. I always mix 1/2 water with 1/2 washing solution in the spray bottle. It’s just as effective and allows the solution to last longer.
2) When washing a fruit or vegetable, I first rinse with water and then spray produce 2 to 3 times with solution. I then scrub the item with my hands for 20 to 30 seconds or sing the alphabet song with my daughter while scrubbing (same amount of time). Then rinse with water for about 5 to 10 seconds until solution has washed off.
3) I usually wash produce like grapes or grape tomatoes as soon as I get home from the grocery store. After washing, I refrigerate a bowl full of grapes so I can quickly grab a handful for a snack. Also, having grape tomatoes pre-washed make it easier when I’m cooking or making a salad. Ideally, I would get everything washed once bought, BUT that doesn’t happen. I just wash the item once I’m about to use it.
4) For produce like broccoli and cauliflower, cut into florets before washing. Allow them to soak in the wash (remember… half water, half solution) for about 2 to 3 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
5) If you have older children, this is a great way to have them involved in preparing a meal! This could become their dinnertime responsibility of washing and scrubbing the fruits and vegetables.
6) I can only find Fit Fruit & Vegetable Wash on Amazon and at Walmart. I actually just found a combo pack at Costco too!
What tips and suggestions do you have for washing fruits and vegetables? AND are you now committed to washing your produce?
Maybe this is a dumb question, but do you really scrub each individual grape? Or can you just let the grapes soak in the wash, then rinse?
Great question, Nicole. I pluck the grapes and put them in a large bowl. I spray the grapes generously with the mixture while mixing them with my hands. I put enough cold water in the cover the grapes and allow them to sit for about 5 minutes. I then scrub them briefly with my hands, pour into a strainer, and then rinse well.
honest question: don’t pesticides get into them in the growing process and therefore be there even if you scrubbed the outside layer?
Great question, Kristen! On my segment today, I mentioned the importance of buying organic especially for foods that have thin skin like carrots, apples, grapes, etc. They still need to be washed, but they don’t have all the pesticides and chemicals absorbed in them. My tongue actually burns if I eat carrots that are not organic. If you can afford organic, buy organic. Thanks for your comment and great question.