Natural & Affordable DIY Vinegar + Baking Soda Fruit & Vegetable Wash

If someone asked me what my list of kitchen staples were, apple cider vinegar and baking soda would be at the top. Both of these ingredients are awesome multi-purpose workhorses in the house and personal health. According to this study, baking soda can help to degrade some pesticides on the surface. However, there’s no true way to remove all the pesticides that might have set into the fruit or veggie over time.

Opting for organic produce may reduce your exposure to known toxic pesticides, but there’s no known way to remove every single pesticide chemical used on produce. But, we can try to do our best by doing our part at home.

My most frequent use of this dynamic duo is for cleaning fruits and vegetables. Letting my produce soak in this combo for a short amount of time will help to get rid of any bugs, and surface dirt that may be hanging around after the long trip from the farm, to the store, to your home. In addition, making an initial small investment on the ingredients will save you money in the long run since you won’t have to buy expensive natural fruit and vegetable washes.

My basic wash/soak is made of apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and water. I usually use lukewarm water to help make a less than pleasant environment for the potential bugs that may be holding onto the leaves. (Believe me, I’ve literally seen bugs fall off of the leaves after this wash…yes, eww!!).

Lastly, I usually use non-organic apple cider vinegar for cleaning solutions because I go through it so much PLUS it gets washed away from the food so quickly. However, you may use an organic brand if you choose. This is the organic one that I love and always keep on hand. (FYI, at the time of the posting, the price was slightly higher at Amazon).

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Ok, so here is what you need:

1/2-1 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tsp to 1 tb Baking Soda (this is the only one I buy)

Half a sink full of water (more if more vegetables being soaked)

A sink stopper to help the water stay in the sink during the soak

1. Place your vegetables in your sink and separate them.

2. Fill your sink up with lukewarm about halfway, making sure that there is an inch or two over the vegetables.

3. Take 1 tsp of baking soda and sprinkle it in the water. Mix the baking soda into the water with your hand if it doesn’t dissolve a bit.

4. Pour the 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar over the veggies.

5. Let the veggies soak in the solution for 15 minutes.

6. Rinse and use! The smell of the vinegar will fade within minutes.

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Now you might be thinking, why did I have a range of measurements above. Well, that’s because I use the amounts in the higher range when I completely fill the sink with more veggies.

If you buy the materials once, you should be able to make this solution for at least a couple of months. I do this at least twice a week. Have fun adding a little more or less to your liking. Leave a comment below letting me know if you try it out.

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