Wash fruits and vegetables just before you eat, cook, or pack them. Mix DU-MOST Vegetable & Fruit Wash Concentrate, soak the produce, and rinse it well to lift wax, soil, and film that water alone can leave behind. Cool running water is still the right last step, and this wash is not a disinfectant.
A quick rinse under the tap gets loose dirt off apples, berries, grapes, and greens, but a thin film can still be there — the wax and soil you can sometimes see or feel after the water runs off. A produce wash is made for that film.
DU-MOST Vegetable & Fruit Wash Concentrate is a plant-based cleaner with cleansers derived from coconut oil and citrus. The ingredients are potassium coconut soap, decyl glucoside, and d-limonene (from citrus), and the scent is citrus. The bottle is a concentrate, so a little goes far. One 24 fl oz (710 mL) bottle mixes with water at a 1:7 ratio and makes up to 6 batches of wash at 1/2 cup of concentrate each, or about 1.5 gallons of ready-to-use wash. If you prefer a spray bottle, mix 4 fl oz of concentrate with 28 fl oz of water to make 32 fl oz: add some of the water first, then the concentrate, then the remaining water.
Use it as a produce cleaner, not as a stand-in for dish soap, bleach, or a kitchen disinfectant. It is safe for food preparation areas when used as directed. Keep it out of reach of children, and avoid contact with eyes. If swallowed, get help right away.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before you handle produce, and start with a clean sink, bowl, colander, and cutting board. Keep produce away from surfaces that just held raw meat, poultry, or seafood.
- Wait to wash until just before you eat, cook, or pack the produce, unless it is visibly dirty. Washing too early and then storing wet produce can shorten how long it stays fresh.
- Look over each item. Cut away bruised or damaged spots, and pull off the outer leaves of lettuce or cabbage before you wash the rest.
- Rinse firm or peel-on produce under cool running water first, including items you plan to peel, so soil on the outside is less likely to ride inward on the knife.
- Mix the wash: combine 1/2 cup of DU-MOST Vegetable & Fruit Wash Concentrate with 3.5 cups of water and stir until it is blended. That is a 1:7 ratio. Use a clean bowl or basin, not a sink that still has leftover food soil.
- Submerge the produce and let it soak for a few minutes. For apples, cucumbers, melons, and other firm items, gently rub the surface or use a clean produce brush. For berries, grapes, and leafy greens, swish gently instead of scrubbing.
- Rinse well with clean water. The wash rinses clean, with no aftertaste or odor, when you rinse thoroughly, so do not skip this step.
- Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, or let the produce air dry in a clean colander. Refrigerate cut produce promptly.
Store unwashed produce the way you usually would, and wash a batch when you are ready to use it. If a bag of salad or cut fruit is labeled pre-washed or ready-to-eat, you can use it without another wash. If you do rinse it, keep it off boards and tools that just touched raw meat.
Once you get the mix down, the routine is simple: clean hands, a clean bowl, a short soak, and a thorough rinse. That is the whole job, whether you are packing lunch, making a salad, or washing a sink of market greens.
Frequently asked questions
What does a produce wash remove that water alone doesn't?
Water rinses away loose dirt. A produce wash helps lift wax, soil, and film that a water-only rinse can leave behind on apples, grapes, berries, and leafy greens. Mix the concentrate, soak the produce, and rinse well.
Can I wash produce with dish soap, detergent, or bleach?
No. Do not use dish soap, detergent, or bleach on fruits and vegetables. Those products are not meant to be eaten and can leave residue. Use a wash made for produce, follow the directions, and rinse well with clean water.
How do I mix DU-MOST Vegetable & Fruit Wash Concentrate?
Combine 1/2 cup of concentrate with 3.5 cups of water and mix thoroughly. That is a 1:7 mix. Submerge the produce, let it soak for a few minutes, then rinse well with water.
Can I use it on berries, grapes, and lettuce?
Yes. It is made for fruits and vegetables like apples, berries, grapes, and lettuce from the store or a farmers market. Handle delicate produce gently, keep the soak brief, and rinse thoroughly so no residue or odor remains.
How much wash does one bottle make?
One 24 fl oz bottle makes up to 6 batches of wash at 1/2 cup of concentrate each, or about 1.5 gallons of ready-to-use wash. You can also mix 4 fl oz of concentrate with 28 fl oz of water to fill a 32 fl oz spray bottle: add some of the water first, then the concentrate, then the remaining water.
Shop DU-MOST Vegetable & Fruit Wash Concentrate 24oz on du-most.com. Made in the USA with globally sourced materials.
