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When it comes to cleaning vegetables, there are two popular cleaning agents that you can use: vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar is a liquid made from the fermentation of ethanol and is great for pickling, cleaning, and preserving food. Baking soda, on the other hand, is a powder form of sodium bicarbonate. Many use it to clean surfaces and to provide a mild abrasive action when scrubbing. Both cleaning agents are safe to use on vegetables, though they may have different purposes and results.
And In this post, we’ll share the benefits and drawbacks of both of these produce cleaning methods so you can make the right decision for yourself.
Benefits of Vinegar for Cleaning Vegetables
Vinegar is great for removing dirt, waxes, and residue from vegetables. It’s especially effective at killing common kitchen germs like salmonella and E.coli, making it ideal for reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Vinegar is also a pretty safe option since it doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients that can be dangerous for both your family and the environment.
Potential Problems with Using Vinegar
Vinegar can have a strong smell that some people may not enjoy, so it’s important to make sure your cooking space is well-ventilated before using it to clean vegetables. Additionally, vinegar can harm soft fruits or vegetables such as tomatoes or peaches due to its acidic properties. It’s also a good idea to mix your vinegar with water to help dilute its strength and scent.
Benefits of Baking Soda for Cleaning Vegetables
Baking soda is great for scrubbing off stubborn dirt and grime from vegetables. It won’t damage produce like some harsher cleaners can since it’s mostly non-abrasive. This method also won’t leave odor on your food so you don’t have to worry about your meals tasting vinegary afterward.
Potential Problems with Baking Soda
While combining baking soda with water is generally safe for cleaning vegetables, you should avoid using it on soft produce as its abrasiveness could scratch or bruise them. Baking soda also has a slightly alkaline pH which could also cause damage to some other delicate types of fruits and vegetables if you use too much. This method can also be a bit messier than vinegar.
Steps for Cleaning Vegetables
The best way to clean vegetables is by using cold water and either vinegar or baking soda:
- Rinse off your vegetables thoroughly in cold water to remove any dirt or loose debris
- To allow the cleaning agents time to work, submerge the vegetables in cold water with either baking soda (¼ cup per gallon of water) or vinegar (¼ cup per gallon of water)
- Soak the vegetables in this solution for five minutes
- Gently scrub away any remaining debris with a brush
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water
- Dry off the vegetables with a paper towel before storing them in the refrigerator or eating them fresh
Tips for Using Cleaning Agents
When cleaning your vegetables with either vinegar or baking soda, make sure you are using cold water rather than hot. High temp heat can cause veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans to lose their crispiness more quickly and make them harder to cook later on.
If you’re using baking soda make sure you are not using too large of quantities as this can cause damage to more delicate types of fruit and veggies.
And if you dislike either of these methods, try a specialty veggie wash instead!
Conclusion
It’s difficult to determine which method is the most effective for cleaning vegetables as each option presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This is why it’s essential to consider the vegetable type, its dirtiness, and the cleaning agent before making a decision. Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to follow the proper steps for cleaning vegetables and store them in a cool place. Doing this can help ensure that your vegetables remain safe and healthy for consumption.
FAQs
Steps for Cleaning Vegetables
Is it better to wash produce with vinegar or baking soda? ›
The US Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture and other scientists agree: use a cold water soak with baking soda to effectively help remove dirt, chemical residue, and other unwanted materials from your fresh vegetables and fruits.
What's the best thing to wash fruits and vegetables with? ›
Vinegar is a natural way to clean produce. You can soak or spray your fruit and vegetables with vinegar. The soak method is best for small produce, such as blueberries, Brussels sprouts, cherries, and cherry tomatoes.
How much baking soda in water to clean vegetables? ›
To use baking soda to clean produce, Arm & Hammer recommends 1 teaspoon per 2 cups of cold water, and swishing your produce in the solution before allowing the produce to soak for 12–15 minutes.
How to wash fruits and vegetables to remove pesticides? ›
Hold the fruit or vegetable under flowing water in a strainer. This removes more pesticide than dunking the produce. The FDA does not recommend washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash. They have not been proven to be any more effective than water alone.
What cleans better vinegar or baking soda? ›
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and a fine abrasive, which makes it excellent at scrubbing as well as absorbing odours. As a mild acid, vinegar is able to dissolve mineral deposits, dirt, grease, and grime.
How to wash romaine lettuce to avoid E. coli? ›
coli bacteria can even find their way into the interior of your produce. Washing lettuce in water (or water combined with baking soda) may help remove pesticide residue, surface dirt and debris from produce, but Rogers cautions that washing has not been proven an effective way to remove E. coli and related bacteria.
How to remove parasites from vegetables? ›
The FDA and the CDC recommend that vegetables should be washed in running water, avoiding the use of chemicals products like soap, detergent and any use of bleach solution, and for products labeled as ready-to-eat, this cleaning in running water can be dispensed [10, 11].
How do you wash and remove bacteria from fruits and vegetables? ›
No washing method completely removes or kills all microbes which may be present on produce but studies have shown that thoroughly rinsing fresh produce under running water is an effective way to reduce the number of microorganisms.
What is the disadvantage of using baking soda to vegetables? ›
This is a bad practice, however, and you should avoid adding baking soda when boiling any type of vegetable. It has various unwelcome effects, such as softening the vegetable, altering the vegetable's flavor, destroying thiamine content, and hastening the loss of vitamin C.
You can use white vinegar and salt solution to wipe off bugs and pesticides from fruits and vegetables before consuming. Salt is known for its disinfectant properties. Mix 1 cup of water, 1 cup white vinegar and 4 tablespoons of salt. Let the vegetables and fruits sit for 30 minutes in this solution.
How to wash vegetables properly? ›
Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There's no need to use soap or a produce wash. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers. Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present.
What is the ratio of vinegar to water for cleaning vegetables? ›
Use 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water for your vinegar bath. Soak fruits and veggies in vinegar bath for 2 minutes. Make sure to also wash items like cantaloupe and onions where you don't eat the peel as the germs can get transferred when you chop.
Should I use vinegar or baking soda in my wash? ›
Is vinegar or baking soda better for laundry? Vinegar and baking soda do different things in the laundry. Vinegar is more versatile, and since it's a liquid, it's easier to use in a washing machine. Baking soda will get rid of odors, but vinegar can do the same thing—and remove minerals too!
Does washing fruit in vinegar make it last longer? ›
Fortunately, common household vinegar is quite effective at killing the mold spores and bacteria that spoil fruit. 1 By washing berries in a mixture of white vinegar and water, you can make your berries last longer in the fridge.
Does baking soda and vinegar clean bacteria? ›
Household disinfectants — vinegar and baking soda used on their own — were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens but less effective than commercial household disinfectants.
