Although it seems quite simple, cleaning fruits and veggies might not be that easy. They contain lots of germs that need to be eliminated. This is why we are sharing with you tips on the best ways of cleaning your fruits and veggies.

As we melt in the heat of the summer, we always find ourselves looking for new and adventurous ways to stay hydrated. Most of us end up filling ourselves with veggies and fruits. However, we quite often forget how many germs they have, and how unknowingly we might not be taking proper care when it comes to their hygiene. For that reason, I sought out the help of Helpling.ae, the leading online platform for household services in the Middle East, and asked their cleaning experts on what we should observe before eating our beloved fruits and veggies.

Since we are always discussing what veggie or fruit is good for your beauty, body and skin, as well as their amazing and beautiful benefits, I just realized that these fruits and vegetables are dirtier than you think before they end up in your basket. For instance, a mango can travel thousands of kilometers before it lands on your plate. Also, to maintain freshness, the fruits are sprayed with a toxic cocktail of pesticides, which can lead to a whole lot of other health problems; anything from stomach cramps to food poisoning. Here are some amazing benefits of coconut water for your re-hydration.

Another germ-trap is your local supermarket: next time you’re there, stay a few minutes and observe the actions of your fellow shoppers. You may find people picking up and smelling melons or checking the consistence of 10 avocados with dirty hands, before selecting one (guilty). Your own hands hold up to 4700 different types of bacteria! But not only are our hands a magnet for germs and dirt, flies love to lay their eggs in fruit and vegetable boxes too!

Short story on cleaning fruits and veggies

Cleaning fruits and veggies is quite simple. Washing them in running water for only 15 seconds can reduce 98% of the bacteria. But be careful because if you continue for long, you might end up stripping them of their natural protective layer which will lead to loss of important vitamins. Also, make sure that cleaning fruits and veggies happens before consuming them and not before storing them because bacteria love to multiply in moisture.

Long story

Still have doubts on how to wash specific fruits or vegetables? Here is a list of the most common of these fresh produce and the techniques involved in cleaning them.

Apples and pears:Did you know that most of these fruits’ vitamins are found on the skin? Instead of peeling the fruit, wash it thoroughly in running water for 15 seconds. This way you’ll be getting your recommended daily dose of vitamins – and really stay healthy!
Berries and grapes:Soft fruits should be washed carefully by soaking them in water instead of squashing them under running water. Afterwards, let the fruit dry on a paper towel.
Melon, mango, avocado:Even if you don’t eat some fruits and vegetables’ skins, there will be germs and pesticides that can reach the fruit’s pulp while you are peeling and cutting them – through the blade or your hands. To avoid this, rinse the skin with warm water before preparing your next fruit salad. Another trick to really disinfect them is to use a mixture of white vinegar, fresh lemon juice and a cup of water. Put in a spray bottle then spray the mixture on the skin of the melon or similar fruits and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Then rinse the fruits under running water. Check out the untapped beauty of avocados.
Potatoes, carrots, radishes:Scrub away the dirt on vegetables that have a rough surface (with a vegetable brush for example). After doing so; wash, peel them and then wash again – just to be sure.
Salad: In case you were not aware, packaged salads also need cleaning! This is because ready-made salads are often full of yeasts and mildew, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Let the lettuce soak in cold water, so that minerals won’t wash away. Dry the leaves in a salad spinner. Extra tip: acidic salad dressings can have disinfectant effects! In combination with prior washing the vinegar reduces the bacterial count in your salad to less than 1 percent! Here is a green detox smoothie recipe to keep you cool under the heat.