Comments on: Homemade Produce Washing Tonic

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:17:57 +0000

The vinegar & baking soda cancel each other out, don’t they?

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:03:25 +0000

This is a fabulous produce rinse, but one comment. Your article claimed “Organic produce is free from pesticides…” That is a common misunderstanding. Organic produce is free from SYNTHETIC pesticides. Farmers still use pesticides (herbicides and fertilizers), but they are “natural.” (So is snake vennom, but that doesn’t make it safe.) Some of the most toxic substances on the planet are made from natural elements (arsenic anyone?), and can be far worse than the synthetic ones use in conventional growing.

Before you buy into the fad of “organicly grown”, research the growing practices of the location of your product. Many farms (especially local “mom and pop” ones) grow food that is pesticide-free, but don’t want to pay the extra money (and go through a bunch of red tape) to be certified as “organic.” Organic and pesticide-free are NOT the same thing, so be careful with your purchases.

By: Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship

Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:58:35 +0000

I ran a little produce wash test on some apples – 8 different ways to wash, including commercial and homemade cleaners. Want to see how this one fared? http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/11/19/8-ways-to-wash-an-apple-how-well-does-produce-wash-work/ It was a FASCINATING project, and I still can’t believe the second place winner. Katie

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:53:43 +0000

Yes, you could use either of those ideas as well successfully. Now I mainly stick with vinegar and lemon juice. Hydrogen peroxide must stay in a dark container so it doesn’t work as well. It keeps indefinitely as far as I can tell.

By: ~M

~M — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:51:14 +0000

I’m curious whether this works better than a dilution of Dr. Bronners and water or maybe hydrogen peroxide?

Also, how long does this keep once mixed?

Thanks, Lindsay!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:15:32 +0000

Skip the baking soda. It works just as well without it! Vinegar is the main key here!

By: Beka

Beka — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:06:39 +0000

I tried this and all I got was a HUGE fizz all over the place. The baking soda reacted with the vinegar. Am I doing something wrong??

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:06:43 +0000

I would keep it full strength, but you really can go either way. You could just use a spray bottle and spray directly over them and then rinse.

By: Susanna

Susanna — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:14:56 +0000

Should I dilute this when I’m soaking a big bowl of grapes, or do I need to keep it full-strength? Thanks!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:09:22 +0000

I store it indefinitely in a spray bottle. The ingredients are not perishable.