White vinegar wash.

Our whole lives we are taught to eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep ourselves healthy and strong, but what is the sense in eating all of these things if we aren't going to properly wash them?

We all know that we should wash our produce but why? Our produce is handled by many people, not only workers, but other customers in search for the "perfect" apple, or nectarine, or whatever. But there are more reasons to wash your produce than just germs.

- Pesticides
- Bacteria
- Wax
- Soil
- Fungi
- Chemicals
- Organic matter

Studies have proven that soaking your fruits and vegetables in a white vinegar wash gets rid of 98% of bacteria! With all the food borne illnesses, why even take that risk?

I've always washed my produce, but it was always just a quick rinse under water. That was until a few months ago when I was feeling very house wife-ish. I decided that instead of washing my apple every single morning while in a rush, why not do them properly all at once to save some time. I had made a goal to switch all my cleaners to natural ones, so I headed to pinterest to do some research. Which brings me to the white vinegar wash.

I learned that the most effective way to get all the wax and nasty stuff off, you should was with a 3:1 ratio of water and vinegar. For example 1 cup of vinegar for 3 cups of white vinegar.

That day I washed every single thing in my refrigerator.  Starting with the apples. I added fairly warm water to a clean sink, along with white vinegar and apples, then let them soak for 20 min or so. Making sure that you turn the apples half way through. When I looked at the apples after, I could not believe my eyes. I knew there was wax on apples, but that much?! I was putting that into MY BODY?!  Once you are done soaking your apples, make sure that you scrub them really good, other wise you won't get all the wax off. You'll notice this when they dry. The first time I tried this, I scrubbed them about 3 times.

 

 Isn't that insane?! 

Apples aren't the only thing you can wash with white vinegar, I also did blackberries, kale, carrots, you name it you can probably do it.

Now the thing about washing any type of leafy vegetable, is that the warm water kind of wilts it. But have no fear, I have a solution! I learned this trick while working at a grocery store in the produce section. We used to do this ALL THE TIME. While your leafy veggies are still warm from the water, rinse them off to make sure the vinegar is off, now bear with me, put them in the freezer. (I know, you probably think I've gone mad by now.) Only leave them in there for a few minutes, then take it out. The shock from the warm to cold makes them perk back up, and they become crisp again. It does take a couple times to get it right, but it is a super easy to do, and very cost effective, because you'll be throwing less away in the end.