Fruit and vegetable wash

1 cup (250ml) water
2 tablespoons (28g) baking soda
1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice

All produce needs a thorough washing before use, especially cucumbers and tomatoes, which typically have a waxy coating that can trap pesticides and other potentially harmful residues. Though there are plenty of produce washes on the market, you can skip the expense and whip up a homemade batch of your own.

Fill a small spray bottle with the water, baking soda, and lemon juice (make sure to strain the juice if you’re squeezing it fresh). Give the mixture a shake to ensure it’s combined well, and then you’re good to go. Spray on fruits and vegetables just before prepping or eating. To remove the bitter taste of baking soda, make sure to rinse the produce thoroughly with fresh water once you’re done.

Your homemade produce wash should last about 1 week. Discard and make a fresh batch when you go shopping.