7 Easy Kitchen Staples To Wash Greens And Veggies

By Shubhi Kumar
27 Apr 2025, 08:00 IST

Want cleaner veggies without chemicals? Use salt, lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, or besan. These simple kitchen staples naturally remove dirt, bacteria, and pesticides, keeping your food fresh. Tap to read!

Salt

Saltwater is greatly known to help remove pesticide residues and surface-attached microbes. Therefore, one should soak their produce in salty water for 10-15 minutes.

Lemon Juice

These help in the disintegration of foul bacterial growth and also contain citric acid. There are lemon juices which help to penetrate the waxy protective coats of vegetables.

White Vinegar

All-natural power cleaner. Vinegar uproots bacteria and pesticides. Soak in water at a 1:3 ratio-to-soak.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is mildly abrasive and alkaline, loosening dirt and neutralising chemicals. If you are soaking or gently scrubbing with it can be used on veggies.

Turmeric

Turmeric may help cleanse leafy greens and herbs when added to water, known for its antimicrobial properties.

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV kills bacteria and moulds. Use a tablespoon in the bowl of water to safely clean your produce.

Besan (Gram Flour)

Very conventional and Indian, the usage of besan to scrub dirt off most fresh fruit and vegetables. This is highly applicable for green leafy vegetables and even root vegetables.

Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only. Always wash produce thoroughly and consult a health professional if you have concerns about allergies or sensitivities to any ingredients mentioned.