I’ll admit it—I used to scrub my strawberries like I was prepping for surgery, only to pop one in my mouth and wonder if I’d just eaten a pesticide buffet. I’d rinse my spinach, feeling smug about my clean eating, but the truth? Those store-bought washes were mostly water with a fancy label—and a hefty price. Then it dawned on me: why trust a bottle when I could clean my produce with stuff I already trust? That’s when I whipped up this fruit and veggie wash, and now my kitchen feels like a sanctuary for real food again.

In my Wise & Wild Way workshop, I’m all about stripping away the junk and honoring the body and soul you were designed to live in with simple, natural solutions. This DIY wash does just that—keeping your fruits and veggies pure without the chemical nonsense. Let’s dive into why this wash is a must for your kitchen, how to make it, a bonus trick to tackle bugs, and a few things to watch out for.

What Makes This DIY Fruit and Veggie Wash So Good?

This wash is a no-fuss blend of fresh lemon juice, distilled white vinegar, cold filtered water, and an optional sprinkle of salt. Lemon juice is a natural disinfectant that cuts through waxes and germs, while vinegar adds an extra punch to kill bacteria. The filtered water keeps it pure, and the salt flushes out dirt and bugs. It’s cheaper than those overpriced sprays and leaves no weird aftertaste—because who wants their blueberries tasting like a science lab?

Why It’s a Must for Your Kitchen (and Your Health)

Here’s why this DIY wash beats the store-bought stuff:

• No Chemical Gunk: Commercial washes often sneak in preservatives that linger on your food. This mix keeps it clean and safe.
• Kills Germs Naturally: Lemon and vinegar tackle pesticides and bacteria without harsh chemicals—your salad won’t fight back.
• Removes Wax and Dirt: That shiny apple? It’s often waxed. This wash strips it off, leaving the real fruit behind.
• Bug Buster: The salt trick helps bugs float to the surface—say goodbye to stowaways in your lettuce.

DIY Fruit and Veggie Wash: Clean Produce, No Fuss

Forget the pricey bottles—here’s how to make your own wash that actually works:

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (organic is best—natural disinfectant)
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar (for extra disinfectant power)
• 2 cups cold, filtered water
• Optional: sprinkle of salt

Directions:

• Pour the lemon juice, vinegar, and water into a clean spray bottle.
• Add a sprinkle of salt (if using), then cap and shake until mixed.

How to Use It:

• Spray on fruits and veggies, let sit for 5 minutes, and scrub if needed. Rinse under cold, filtered water.
• For berries, lettuce, etc.: Fill a bowl with filtered water, add a few sprays of the wash, soak for 5 minutes, swish, drain, and rinse.

Tip: Double the batch if you’re prepping a week’s worth of produce—my husband eats like it’s a competition.

Bonus: Salt Trick to Flush Out Bugs

Want to kick bugs to the curb? Try this:

Ingredients:

• Extra sprinkle of salt

How to Use:

• Add a bit of (extra) salt to your bowl of water with the wash, soak leafy veggies for 5 minutes, and watch bugs float up.
• Rinse thoroughly to keep the flavor pure.

Why It Works: Salt helps dislodge and float out those sneaky bugs—perfect for your greens.

The Caveats: What to Watch For

This wash is simple, but here’s what to keep in mind:

• Lemon Sting: If your hands get irritated, wear gloves or dilute with more water. I once scrubbed too long and felt like I’d lemon-juiced my skin—oops.
• Vinegar Kick: It’s strong but fades after rinsing. Skip the rinse, and your apples might taste like a salad dressing gone wrong.
• Delicate Produce: Soak berries for 5 minutes max, or they’ll turn to mush—learned that the hard way with raspberries.
• Herbicide Heads-Up: Plain water won’t remove herbicides—this wash is a great defense. For the best defense, buy organic only. For a better than best defense, grow your own produce or buy from a local, regenerative farmer!
• Organic Matters: Stick to organic lemon and filtered water for anything you’re eating—don’t let cheap shortcuts undo your efforts.

Elevate It, Wise & Wild Style

Take this wash to the next level with my holistic approach:

• Detox Your Hair: Since you’re cleaning your food, why not your personal care? Try my no-poo shampoo method to ditch chemical hair products—your scalp will glow as bright as your veggies.
• Detox Your Body: Soak in a detox bath to flush toxins—pair it with your clean produce for a full reset. See my detox bath article for details.
• Grow you own Produce or Get to Know your Local, Regenerative Farmer. Hey, we know even the “organic’ label has been compromised, so I make it a priority to buy from only regenerative famers. Get a list of local farmers in your area by locating a WAPF chapter leader near you!

Why It’s Worth Your Time

This DIY fruit and veggie wash isn’t just about clean produce—it’s about cleaning up your life, one bite at a time. It’s cheap, it works, and it lets you eat with peace of mind—no chemicals, no guilt. Want to feel good about every part of your routine? Start here. Your fruits, veggies, and conscience will thank you.

Mix it, spray it, enjoy it—pure produce is just the start of a cleaner life.

Take It Further

Discover this recipe and more in my Cleaning Collection—yours free when you join my my newsletter. And catch Sharise Uncut where I spit the truth about health, life and everything in between!