How to clean produce

1)
-Fill your kitchen sink with cold water.
- Add four tablespoons of salt and the juice of half a fresh lemon.
- Soak fruits and vegetables five to ten minutes (leafy greens two to three minutes and berries one to two minutes)
-Rinse well after soaking and use.

What about soap and water? Cornell University studied that one for us. They did agree that “a detergent solution may remove more bacteria (and perhaps some pesticide residues, as well), they also caution that soap is not intended for this use. Once it gets onto some kinds of foods, it is more difficult to remove than it is from dishes and it can make people sick.” And don’t use bleach either, for the same reasons.

2) also found this recipe developed by Susan Sumner, a food scientist at Virginia at Polytechnic Institute and State University, to clean fruits and vegetables. Her disinfecting procedure uses white vinegar (or cider vinegar) and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (the same as found at the drugstore). These are nontoxic, inexpensive and work not only on fruit and vegetables but can be used to sanitize counters and preparation surfaces, including wooden cutting boards, as well. Here’s the method:

- Put the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide into individual dark-colored spray bottles (You might be able to put a clean, new Sprayer right on the hydrogen peroxide bottle.
-Spray your produce or work surface thoroughly first with vinegar and then with hydrogen peroxide.
- Then rinse the produce under running water or wipe the surface with a clean wet sponge.