Poll: How do you wash your vegetables and fruits?

[CheerLiz]

Just wondering...do you use warm or cold water? Aayone a fan of "Fit"? Mild detergent? A brush? I never quite know what to do, and I still always end up with that waxy-type coating on all my veggies and fruits. Am I doing something wrong?

(sigh) I should just suck it up and buy organic, I know! But my DH does the grocery shopping, and it's tough to break old habits (especially since I'm so grateful that he does it in the first place!)

[kwormann]

I have used FIT in the past, but have heard that baking soda and water do the same job for less $$...hate to admit it, but I usually just rinse.....Id like to buy organic, but currently its not in the budget!

Kim

[hlao23]

We use Fit. You can really feel the difference of fruit skins after they're washed so it makes me nervous not to wash them now. Veggies like lettuce or spinich we still just rinse with water. My rationalization is that they're probably not coated with wax and so everything will rinse off more easily.

I've heard the baking soda and water thing too but I figure it's messier.

[JulieM]

I wash everything in warm water with a little dish soap. I haven't tried Fit yet. If it's not organic and has a waxy coating like apples and cucumbers then I always peel them. There is a consumer group that monitors the pesticide levels of produce and lists the worst 10 or 12, and I try to at least buy those things organic, or I wash it a peel it. Some of the most contaminated are strawberries, peaches, apricots, cherries, grapes from Chile, Mexican cantaloupes, green beans, and celery.

[Chefmom]

I just use water, I really don't get into the whole pesticide thing. My son wouldn't touch a piece of fruit if you bought him a new toy every day for the rest of his life, yet my daughter wants nothing else.

I try to buy local, and support the local farming communities, naturally some things have to be shipped.

As for buying organic, I honestly can't afford it, I try to buy mostly local direct from the farm/farmers in the season, and a few select markets in the winter. BUT, no matter if it is organic or not, you still need to wash, dirt is dirt.

Tami

[Nefertete]

I ALWAYS wash my veggies and fruits in a bleach solution. It doesn't affect the taste whatsoever, but I hate seeing how some fruits and veggies have some kind of fungus, particularly squashes, papaya and other hard veggies and fruits.

I use this dip even for my leafy vegetables. They last a lot longer when first dipped in a mild bleach solution then rinsed.

[valchemist]

I just wash my veggies in water. no soap or anything. I am not dead yet. and everything tastes fine. it is easier, cheaper, and I don't have to waste a ton of water trying to remove all the soap/cleaning solution from the fruit.

[lhall]

Another water washer here too. I've thought about using the fit stuff, but that would requiring finding room to keep it somewhere handy.


Leigh

[lakelady1]

You're supposed to wash them? :D

I'm mostly a rinser of store bought products, unless its a root vegetable or something I can see dirt on. Then I use veggie brush.

[1MegMeg]

Another rinser here. Just a quick rinser under the faucet is all my fruits and veggies get.

:)

[HRJ]

I mostly just use water. If it's a root-type of vegetable, like a potato or a carrot, I use baking soda and water, and a good stiff brush. I buy those shaker-top containers from Arm & Hammer -- a little more expensive than just buying a regular box of baking soda, but also a bit neater to use. I also try to buy organic/local as much as possible.

Helene

[Peeps]

Originally posted by valchemist
I just wash my veggies in water. no soap or anything. I am not dead yet.

:D Ditto.

[kjh01]

I use Fit, and I can really tell the difference - even in the leafy vegetables.

[jrichards]

Just water for me. I'll kind of scrub with my fingers over carrot dirt, etc.

Jennifer

[Barrie]

Originally posted by kjh01
I use Fit, and I can really tell the difference - even in the leafy vegetables.

Are you still able to find Fit in the stores? One of my friends swears by the stuff but said P&G has discontinued it. I recently got her a whole kit for her birthday from eBay, that was the only place I could find it.

[kjh01]

Originally posted by Barrie


Are you still able to find Fit in the stores? One of my friends swears by the stuff but said P&G has discontinued it.

Well, I usually buy the jug of it (as opposed to the spray bottle) and I have had no trouble. but it's been a few months...I'll look the next time I'm in the store...

[HRJ]

Originally posted by Barrie


Are you still able to find Fit in the stores? One of my friends swears by the stuff but said P&G has discontinued it. I recently got her a whole kit for her birthday from eBay, that was the only place I could find it.

Interesting -- I have never used Fit but was intrigued by reading this thread, so I tried doing a search to find out what, exactly, was in it. I found an article saying P&G had discontinued it because of low demand.

I also came upon this site from the FDA and the National Science Teachers Association (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fttfruit.html) about fruit and vegetable safety. Here's some of the information it offered:

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Raw fruits and vegetables can become contaminated along the farm-to-table continuum. Produce used for salads - lettuce and spinach, for example - grow low to the ground, where they are likely to come in contact with contaminated fertilizers. Sometimes they’re irrigated with contaminated waters or picked by farm workers with poor hygiene practices.

The complex, multi-layered surfaces of salad produce are more difficult to clean after picking than produce with a smooth surface, such as apples or potatoes. Because fresh fruits and vegetables are usually eaten raw, they can pose a health risk if they’re not properly handled. Therefore, all produce needs to be thoroughly washed and safely prepared and handled before it is eaten.

FOOD SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
(ALL FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND JUICES)

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Thoroughly rinse raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them. Don’t use soap, detergents, or bleach solutions.

If necessary - and appropriate - use a small vegetable brush to remove surface dirt.

Try to cut away damaged or bruised areas - bacteria can thrive in these places.


Helene

[KristinK]

Originally posted by HRJ
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables:
Thoroughly rinse raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them. Don’t use soap, detergents, or bleach solutions.

If necessary - and appropriate - use a small vegetable brush to remove surface dirt.

Try to cut away damaged or bruised areas - bacteria can thrive in these places.
So I've been right all along, because that's what I do!
DBF, on the other hand, doesn't even think twice about eating produce right at the grocery store :o

[sunberst]

Originally posted by Nefertete
I ALWAYS wash my veggies and fruits in a bleach solution. bleach? ah! i would be scared to do this!

i honestly just rinse them under cold water. no soap or anything. i dont even own a veggie brush.

apples, grapes, cherries or pears from my grandparents farm- i just eat those off the tree. i dont even wash them.

i am not dead yet. :)

[CL Fan]

I used to use Veggie Wash, but did not like the smell and heard that lemon juice does the same thing, so I put that in my veggie wash spray bottle. I haven't heard of Fit, but sounds like something I would use - too bad it will be discontinued.

Consumer Reports recently ran an article about pesticide levels in both organic and non-organic produce and found that washing (with soap) dramatically decreased the levels.

I have small children and worry about the impact of pesticides...

[Nefertete]

Originally posted by sunberst
bleach? ah! i would be scared to do this!

i honestly just rinse them under cold water. no soap or anything. i dont even own a veggie brush.

apples, grapes, cherries or pears from my grandparents farm- i just eat those off the tree. i dont even wash them.

i am not dead yet. :)

I discovered the bleach thing because for years I've been rehabbing reptiles and birds. I would fix a huge salad for them every week (it took 3 hours to make so it had to stay fresh). I wash their bowls and habitats with bleach all the time (thoroughly rinsing, of course) because bleach is the safest (no residual effects) and most potent disinfectant.

Bleach is put in water to purify it. It's used in clothes. Our hands get in it. I use it for debriding wounds, on myself and on reptiles (and they said never use it on reptiles, but they heal real fast from fungus infections and are not harmed by the bleach if it's used with caution, dabbed on and rinsed off).

Also, I found that using a dilute bleach rinse for my own vegetables and fruits cleans the stuff off them that causes me to have allergic reactions.

The key to using bleach is a)use it dilute and b)rinse it off. That's all.

[sunberst]

if bleach works for you, go for it! i find that just water works for me. my veggies always keep for awhile.

i never use bleach in anything. i dont even have it in the house. i only use "ALL free & clear" when i wash my clothes. but that just me. :)

p.s. you have reptiles? i have a bearded dragon! he is a cutie!

p.s.s. i forgot! i have used bleach! to get my hair from light blond to white blond (was going for the gwen stefani/no doubt look awhile back...) :)

[sunberst]

this thread has been haunting me because i could not believe that some people use soap or bleach on veggies. it just sounds like a bad thing because i would think that some soap/bleach would get absorbed into it, regardless of washing. i dont want to preach, but it IS a big no-no.

from aboutproduce.com:

How should I wash my produce?
Once you're ready to eat your fresh fruits and vegetables, handle them properly. The most important thing you can do is wash all fruits and vegetables in clean drinking water before eating. This applies to all fruits and vegetables, even if you don't eat the rind or skin (such as melons and oranges). Remember to wash produce just before you use it, not when you put it away.

What about detergent?
You should not use detergent or bleach when washing fruits and vegetables because you might eat detergent or bleach residues left on the fruits and vegetables. Produce items are porous and can absorb the detergent or bleach.

What else should I do?
In addition to washing, you should:
* Peel and discard outer leaves or rinds. Scrub hearty vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, if you want to eat the fiber- and nutrient-rich skin.
* Clean surfaces, utensils, and hands after touching raw meat and poultry and before you use them on fresh produce.
* Don't risk getting germs on your produce by letting it come in contact with raw meat/poultry/fish juices or raw eggs. Don't use marinades from raw meat on produce that will not be cooked thoroughly.
* Keep refrigerators clean and cold. Cover/refrigerate produce you have cut. Don't store raw meats above uncovered fresh produce (this will keep raw meat juices from dripping on fresh produce).
* Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling pets and before preparing food.
* Read and follow label instructions, such as "keep refrigerated" or "use by (a certain date)."
* Hold prepared fruit salads and other cut produce items in the refrigerator until just before serving. Discard cut produce items if they have been out of the refrigerator for four hours or more.


Where can I get more information?
For more information on general safe food handling, visit The Partnership for Food Safety Education web site at http://www.fightbac.org.

[gertdog]

I rinse in cold water, rubbing with my fingers if there is soil on the surface. For potatoes and carrots, I scrub with a stiff brush. Strawberries and mushrooms are wiped with a wet paper towel.

I do worry about pesticides and buy organic when I can, but it isn't always possible.

[cinbis]

What do you do about chicken and fish?

I'm with you, Val, I rarely even get sick....water seems to be working fine!

[Valerie226]

I do a few things. Mostly rinse in water. sometimes use a very little dish soap and/or a brush if dirty like carrots or potatoes. For cantaloupes or other melons I scrub the whole thing with a brush with soapy water. I think carrying surface contamination inside the fruit on the knife blade is an issue & with the uneven skin surface rinsing might not be enough. I usually cut up the whole melon at once. If it's waxed, I peel it.

[ErinM]

Originally posted by valchemist
I just wash my veggies in water. no soap or anything. I am not dead yet.

Yup. Same here. And, I still have a pulse, last time I checked! :D

[MusicMom]

I rinse fruits and vegetables with cold water, use a brush on potatoes, and peel carrots.

cinbis- I usually rinse chicken with cold water. (I don't eat fish, so I have no idea how to clean it)

[cinbis]

I do rinse chicken, but not fish. If meat and fish are cook thoroughly, wouldn't that kill all bacteria?

[lakelady1]

My heavens, the things I learn on this BB. I was waiting for someone to say they ran their food through the dishwasher (on cold, so as not to cook it!). I give fruits and veggies a quick rinse (maybe); never washed meat in my life (although I am very careful about cross contamination on counter tops or cutting boards). Bleach would not go on my food under any circumstances.

[kristalsnow7]

Like most of you, I just rinse my fruits and veggies with water, then rub them dry with a paper towel. I try to buy organic when I can, but it's not always possible here. I did read one should always buy organic strawberries, since that particular fruit retains a very high amount of pesticides, despite washing them thoroughly (I think the pesticides are "absorbed" by the berries, and are concentrated in the middle of them). If I can't find organic strawberries, I don't buy them at all.

Kristal