3 ways to wash fruits and vegetables - baking soda soak, vinegar soak, and essential oil method for removing pesticides and bacteria

How to Clean Fruits & Vegetables the Right Way (+ DIY Produce Wash Spray Recipe)

ByJoy | Eat For How You Feel
3 ways to wash fruits and vegetables - baking soda soak, vinegar soak, and essential oil method for removing pesticides and bacteria
Choose ONE method to clean your produce — baking soda, vinegar, or essential oil soak.

Recent headlines about parasites and bacteria showing up in produce have a lot of us double-checking what’s really on our fruits and veggies before they hit our plates. The good news? A few extra minutes in the kitchen can make a real difference in protecting your health — without any fancy equipment or complicated steps.

Because at the end of the day, clean food is self-care. 🤍

Why Washing Produce the Right Way Matters

Washing your fruits and vegetables properly helps you:

🛡️ Remove dirt, pesticides, bacteria & parasites
🌱 Reduce your risk of illness
❤️ Protect your health while still enjoying the foods that fuel you

3 Separate Ways to Clean Your Produce

Here’s the key: choose ONE method — don’t combine them.

1. Baking Soda Soak

  • 1 tsp baking soda per 2 cups water
  • Soak for 10–15 minutes
  • Swish gently
  • Rinse thoroughly under running water

Great for: leafy greens, berries, apples, grapes, cucumbers & more!

2. Vinegar Soak

  • 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water
  • Soak for 10–15 minutes
  • Swish gently
  • Rinse thoroughly under running water

Great for: apples, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli & more!

3. Essential Oil Option

  • 1–2 drops food-grade essential oil (like lemon or sweet orange) per 2 cups water
  • Soak for 10–15 minutes
  • Swish gently
  • Rinse thoroughly under running water

Great for: berries, leafy greens, citrus, melons, apples & more!

Extra Tips for Cleaner Produce

🌿 Remove outer leaves of lettuce & cabbage
🌿 Wash leaf by leaf for leafy greens
🍇 Rinse berries gently
🍎 Scrub firm produce like cucumbers, apples & melons
🔪 Wash before cutting or juicing
🧼 Keep cutting boards & knives clean

DIY produce wash spray recipe with distilled water, white vinegar, lemon juice, and essential oil to remove dirt and pesticide residue from fruits and vegetables
My go-to DIY produce wash spray — natural, simple, and easy to make at home.

DIY Produce Wash Spray (My Go-To Recipe)

If you’d rather have something ready to grab and spray, this simple DIY wash is a favorite in my kitchen. It’s a natural way to help remove dirt, pesticide residue, and surface contaminants from fruits and vegetables.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups distilled water
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
  • 1–2 drops food-grade lemon or sweet orange essential oil (optional)

Use only food-grade essential oils labeled for culinary use.

How to Use:

  1. Add all ingredients to a clean spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
  2. Spray fruits and vegetables until fully coated.
  3. Let sit for 2–5 minutes.
  4. Gently rub or scrub the produce.
  5. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water. Always rinse well!
  6. Enjoy clean, fresh produce with peace of mind.

Great for: apples, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, grapes, berries, and other fruits & vegetables.

Tips

✅ For leafy greens, separate the leaves, spray or soak, then rinse each leaf well.
✅ Gently scrub firm produce like cucumbers, apples, and melons.
✅ Make a fresh batch every 1–2 weeks.

Important Notes

💧 This wash helps remove dirt, some pesticide residue, and many surface contaminants.
💧 It does not guarantee the removal of all germs or parasites.
❤️ Rinsing thoroughly is the most important step!

Wash Well. Live Well.

Your body will thank you for the extra few minutes it takes to clean your produce properly. Small steps today really do lead to better health tomorrow. 🌿

Healthy habits today. A healthier you tomorrow.

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