How do you wash produce properly?

Inspired by a Youtube video discussing different ways of washing produce.

Should I be washing my produce? How do I know what I am doing is correct?

Do I just kind of swish the veggies in some water and call it good?



Please help teach me the over/under on proper produce handling.

Mostly, I briefly rinse it when I remember. If it's spinach from the store, I wash it underwater and spin it dry.

Look up "The Cross Legacy". You can search the type you are considering washing. When my wife told me about it, I was skeptical. But, seeing what comes off the food (and certainly what we can't see) along with the fact that the washed foods keep way longer than unwashed, has made me a believer.

This is if you must buy it at a grocery store. We don't wash anything we produce at home.

I read to soak what I could in a solution one part vinegar, three parts water (EDIT: soak for 8 minutes ). That's what I do with fruits. I have to rinse the vinegar water off twice because my daughter says she can taste the vinegar.

Josh Hoffman wrote:Look up "The Cross Legacy". You can search the type you are considering washing. When my wife told me about it, I was skeptical. But, seeing what comes off the food (and certainly what we can't see) along with the fact that the washed foods keep way longer than unwashed, has made me a believer.

This is if you must buy it at a grocery store. We don't wash anything we produce at home.

Interesting, I have always thought the opposite; that vegetable keep better unwashed, and I wash then only when ready to use them. Exception is fruits meant to be kept on countertop for fresh eating— I want those ready to grab.

Mk Neal wrote:Interesting, I have always thought the opposite; that vegetable keep better unwashed, and I wash then only when ready to use them. Exception is fruits meant to be kept on countertop for fresh eating— I want those ready to grab.

I was surprised by that also. You put a little vinegar in the water, I think the amount may vary depending on what you are washing. Maybe the vinegar residue plays a role in keeping longer.

I give strawberries a good rinse as the picture shows.

I scrub potatoes and carrots with a brush underwater.

I hate washing greens as I feel I never get the dirt off them.  The dirt part is okay, it is the gritty sand part that I find distasteful.

Most others just get a good rinse.

I have had folks tell me they use soap.

Soap has not been approved for human consumption.