We all know that fresh fruits and vegetables are the healthiest addition to any daily diet. We can even hear our mothers’ voices – “Eat your fruits and vegetables!” But in today’s modern world of air pollutants, acid rain, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals known to be harmful to the environment, one has to question just how healthy is it to eat those fruits and vegetables. These days, scientists and environmentalists alike both strongly advise consumers to thoroughly wash their produce before eating or even cooking it. But how can we be sure that is enough to protect our health? How do we know our fruits and vegetables are not only fresh, but clean too? Read on to learn the basics of kitchen vegetable washers.
Home Fruit and Vegetable Wash
Because consumers in general have become savvier and more vigilant about the foods they are eating, there has been an increasing demand for products that will ensure the quality of their food. Long gone are the days of biting into an apple straight from the grocery bag – you never know what you might be biting into!
In response to this issue and growing consumer demand, manufacturers have created home fruit and vegetable wash products. These washers are natural cleaners that are safe to use on fresh produce to effectively remove all traces of dirt, fertilizer, pesticides, and other contaminants that may be harmful if eaten. Often these washers come in a concentrated formula, so with a little added water, they can be sprayed directly onto the fruit or vegetable. Simply rub the fruit or vegetable until it is completely covered with the wash, then rinse immediately. For soft, thin-skinned produce, place in a colander, spray with a fruit and vegetable wash product, then rinse under running tap water.
Other Vegetable Washing Equipment
Some would argue that simply passing a fruit or a vegetable under running tap water and rubbing it lightly with their hands is sufficient enough to clean it. Perhaps they are right, but it is difficult to believe anyone’s fingers would be able to get into the grooves, creases and crevices many fruits and vegetables by nature have. If you feel a plain water wash is good enough to clean your fresh produce, then it is recommended, at least on fruits and vegetables with thick, tougher skins, to use a scrub brush specially designed for cleaning produce. These brushes are able to reach parts of the vegetable’s skin that are wrinkled, dimpled, or indented, ensuring that every crevice is thoroughly cleaned. Just make sure to wash the brush after each and every use in order to keep it clean and free from bacteria and other germs.
It is now widely accepted that all fruits and vegetables need to be washed before being eaten to ensure they are free of surface contaminants. This remains true even for home-grown produce and for those fruits and vegetables where we would not normally eat the skin. For best results and peace of mind, use a fruit and vegetable washer with a scrub brush, and enjoy!
Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com
Author Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products. Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean. Visit www.stanleyhomecare.com