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Cleaning Up:  Methods for sanitizing veggies from CSA?  |
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Lady in Pearls
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Ashley
Texas
USA
105 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 15 2014 : 5:11:33 PM
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Hello lovely ladies!
I recently became a member of a local CSA (yay!) and they suggest diluting 1tbls of bleach in a gallon of water to sanitize/rinse the produce.
Are there any other ways? I only use bleach to sanitize counters and the sink after handling raw meat and I feel strange dunking veggies in it. Am I just being paranoid?
How do you rinse/sanitize your produce?
Thanks!
“The closest we will ever come to an orderly universe is a good library.”
Ashleigh Brilliant
http://myfrenchreligion.blogspot.com/ |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2348 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2348 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2014 : 05:29:06 AM
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Hi Ashley. I see you have 5 posts....WELCOME!!! You will love being a part of the sisterhood here.
Yikes! Bleach?! If I had to use bleach on food items, I would use less than a Tblsp per gallon. That just seems high. In emergency situations I've read that it only takes about 10 drops to 'purify' water for drinking.
I use vinegar. I keep a spray bottle of 1:1 ratio (vinegar:water). I use vinegar for cleaning/disinfecting just about everything. For apples, I give them a quick spritz and wipe dry. For lettuces, celery, carrots, etc... I rinse them, then dip them into a bowl of vinegar/water and rinse again.
While vinegar may not kill 99.9% like bleach, the acidity still kills and reduces a good amount.
If you 'google' uses for vinegar, you will pull up thousands of resources that describe vinegar as a must have for so many applications from home cleaning, internal health and for skin irritations like sunburn.
Catherine
Sisterhood #76
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt.
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6809 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6809 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2014 : 06:01:36 AM
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Welcome Ashley.
Catherine has the right idea about using vinegar instead of bleach. One caution about vinegar - read the label - 5% acidity is required for canning and I would use that strength for cleaning veg/fruit too.
I buy vinegar in large jugs for laundry and for awhile I was buying the genetic brand because it cost less. One day I read the label and it was only 4% acidity so I switched to the store brand.
I buy Heinz vinegar for canning or making herbal/fruit vinegars. All the older women I have known always used Heinz so I do too.
Sara
Walk in Peace - Live with Joy
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 25, 2014 |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9242 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9242 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2014 : 03:00:09 AM
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I use a vegetable wash that contains grape seed extract. Removes all the nasties from the veggies. Definitely stay away from the bleach. I have also used a vinegar solution.
~Denise~
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2348 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2348 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2014 : 4:58:34 PM
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Denise, the grape seed extract is a great idea.
Ashley, there are other essential oils that can be used for disinfecting....tea tree, thyme, oregano, lemon. I haven't tried them as a veggie wash but I have used them in my homemade cleaners.
Catherine
Sisterhood #76
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt.
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2015 : 12:22:19 PM
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I don't like to use bleach either. I've used vinegar and it works well but I think that
Dr. Bronners liquid soap is the best. I use the regular (instead of lavender or other) and can also use it for many other things! Great for cleaning, laundry, showering, hair, etc. |
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Cleaning Up: Methods for sanitizing veggies from CSA? |
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Methods for sanitizing veggies from CSA?
