Keeping your fruits and vegetables clean is important for your health. Research conducted by Nanjing Agricultural University and the Institute of Food Safety Research and Inspection in China in 2007 found that salt solutions were effective in removing harmful pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, DDT, cypermethrin, and chlorothalonil. You can create a salt solution by mixing one part salt with ten parts water.
For a more effective wash, use baking soda, which can neutralize many acidic pesticides. A study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2017 showed that soaking apples in a mix of water and baking soda removed more than 80 percent of certain pesticides, which is far more effective than rinsing with water and even more effective than rinsing with bleach. However, avoid using baking soda on tender produce such as berries and mushrooms. To use baking soda, mix about one teaspoon with every two cups of water and let your produce soak for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
