Homemade Vegetable Wash/Preserver That Works! (Spray or Soak)

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

I have been using this for years don't know why I never thought of posting it here on the site earlier, this really works and works very well! no chemicals 100% natural and will remove dust and dirt and kill any little bugs and bacteria not to mention it costs only pennies to make and when used as a soak it will help preserve your veggies so that they will last quite a lot longer --- there is really no servings to this recipe so of coarse the serving amount is only estimated --- because of the fresh lemon juice any unused spray may be refrigerated until used again, I just usually use up the 1 cup and then discard the rest --- the exact amounts do not really matter a little more will not hurt, I really don't even bother to measure I just eyeball everything --- if you are using a smaller bowl then reduce the vinegar to 2 tablespoons and salt to 1 tablespoon it will work just as well :)

• Total Time: 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 1

SPRAY

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 cup water

SOAK

• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons salt

Directions:

1. For the spray; put all ingredients into a spray bottle (be careful as it will foam up) shake gently to mix, then spray on veggies or fruit allow to sit for about 2-5 minutes then rinse under cold water.
2. For soak; fill a clean sink or a large basin with cold water; add in vinegar and salt, then swish around with hands (you may also do this in a large bowl).
3. Place the fruit and/or veggies in and allow to sit for 25-30 minutes although I have even left soaking for over an hour (this will not effect the flavor at all, the vinegar cleans and the salt draws out any little bugs, dirt and other small unwanted things, it also will remove some of the wax.
4. Rinse under cold water and dry.

Reviews

[lets.eat]

I LOVE this 'recipe' I could not believe the bugs that came off my dill heads! Since then I have used this method for all my fruits and veg's. I grew red leaf lettuce in our garden, and normally it would limp-soaking in this solution it is crisp. A keeper recipe, saved for my favorites.

[justcallmetoni]

I used the soak recipe to prepare a collection of vegetables for a green salad. What a difference as I could actually see some tiny silt leftover from a conventional rinse left at the bottom of the bowl. Have since used this many times and finds it works especially well with leafy greens and delicate fruits which would suffer in a more aggressive cleaning. Thanks Kit.

[UmmBinat]

I love the soak. I have not tried the spray. I find the soak makes parsley for example last way longer and boy does it get it cleaner than if you were just to rinse before using. I found it also takes some wax off produce. I'd like to use this often.