There is often a dilemma on how to handle fruits and vegetables that we get from the market. Whether to wash them or consume them immediately or leave them for a while and then use. Most people are also worried whether keeping them in the refrigerator would spread contamination to other food items. And due to this some people have been washing their fruits and veggies in detergent. This can really be very dangerous for health. There is no significant evidence to prove that corona virus can spread through fruits and vegetables. However to maintain utmost hygiene, they can be cleaned thoroughly with natural ingredients prepared in your kitchen.

To ensure cleanliness, some are resorting to unusual practices like washing them in soaps and detergents, which is not at all safe and quite dangerous as there are various chemicals in them. Most people do try to rub off the detergent, but a little residue might get stuck to these perishable goods that have thin porous skin. Ingesting such residue can result in gastrointestinal distress and far more serious long term implications.

For starters, wash your fruits and vegetables in running water for 3-5 minutes. Next, take a large utensil or container like your dough kneading plate and add warm water in it. Soak the washed fruits and vegetables in for a good 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, store them in the refrigerator and use as and when you want.

One of the most effective methods is to prepare a solution of equal parts of baking powder and vinegar in a large utensil filled with hot water. Stir well and immerse your fruits and vegetables in this solution for about 20-30 minutes. Wash them after soaking. This will kill most of the germs present on your food effectively. When they are air-dried, stack them in your refrigerator and use.

Take equal quantities of salt, turmeric and vinegar and mix them in hot water. Add this solution in a large utensil and soak your fruits and vegetables in it for a good 30 minutes. You can also add half a lemon in it. Once done, wash them with normal water and dry and use. This solution is a good way to rid of most germs.

For vegetables like carrots and potatoes, you can choose the option of scrub wash. Just use any scrubber and wash such vegetables and fruits well. Then you can soak them in very cold water for about a minute or two. Dry them off and use afterwards.

For cleaning leafy greens, its best to wash them in running water first. Then place them in a large bowl of ice-cold water to which salt has been added. This will ensure that your veggies are sanitized as well as have a longer shelf life.