Hi there!

Today I'm sharing a super simple DIY you can make from just two ingredients I'm almost certain you have in your kitchen - water and white vinegar.

If you've read any pregnancy books or food safety articles online, you've probably been admonished to "thoroughly wash all produce" more times than you can count. That's because as healthful as fruit and veggies are, they can harbor not so healthful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. All of which could make you and your baby sick.

Fortunately, cleaning produce is not difficult to do at all. Honestly, a thorough rinsing with clean water, followed by drying with a clean paper towel is pretty darn effective for most produce. But there's something even more effective.

A simple mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar kills more of the bacteria found on the surface of produce than water alone.

Keep reading to learn more about how to make your own fruit and veggie wash.

Gather the Ingredients

All you'll need is a measuring cup or measuring spoons, clean water, white vinegar, and a spray bottle.

Now for the Instructions

For every 1 part vinegar you add to your spray bottle, add in 3x that amount in water. That's it.

If you're using a 1/2 cup of vinegar, you'll add in 1 1/2 cups of water (1/2 x3=1 1/2). This will make 16 oz of produce wash.

If you're using 1/4 cup of vinegar, you'll add in 3/4 cup of water (1/4 x 3=3/4). This will give you 8 oz of produce wash.

Now, whenever you need to clean produce you can just spray it, rinse it with clean water, then dry it with a clean paper towel.

You can also fill a clean basin or bowl with it if you're washing leafy greens or have veggies with a lot of grooves, nooks, and crannies like carrots or cauliflower. Place them in the basin and let them soak for a minute or two. Scrub with a clean vegetable brush, if necessary. Then rinse and dry. Voila! Clean produce.

Don't forget to clean your produce before you cut it or peel, even if you won't be eating the peel or rind.

Remember, following safe food handling practices is one more thing you can do to keep you and your wee one safe and healthy.

Be well,

Kendra