How to Clean Fruit and Vegetables Naturally: An Easy and Quick Method

Why I Became Serious About Washing My Produce

I’ve always washed my fruits and vegetables, but I became serious about it during my T-cell transplant. If you’ve undergone any type of cell transplant, you’ll understand why. In those early days, your immune system is virtually nonexistent. Your body is incapable of fighting off even the tiniest bacteria or pathogens carried in fresh produce. Some transplant patients avoid fresh fruits and vegetables altogether during recovery, but that wasn’t an option for me. I wasn’t about to give up nourishing my body with real, whole foods—I just had to be meticulous about cleaning them.

I’ll never forget my transplant training call with a registered dietitian. She advised that fountain sodas were perfectly fine, but fresh produce should be avoided. Excuse me? The idea that drinking a Coke was safer than eating properly washed lettuce drove me insane. It felt completely backward. Why would we encourage processed, sugar-laden drinks over real food that could provide the nutrients my body desperately needed to heal?

Food Sensitivities Post-Transplant: Why Clean Eating Matters

Even after my CAR T-cell therapy, it took nearly two years for my blood work to show real improvement. During that time, my body was incredibly sensitive—especially to food. The biggest red flag? Eating out. I now firmly believe most restaurants serve contaminated food—not enough to harm the average immune system, but definitely enough to affect someone with a weakened one. I’d go to dinner with friends or family, and within 24 hours, I’d feel like I had the flu. My body simply wasn’t strong enough to fight off whatever was lingering in that meal, even if no one else got sick.

But here’s the thing—washing your fruits and vegetables isn’t just for cancer patients or transplant recipients. It’s something we should all be doing. We rinse off dirt, but what about bacteria, and other contaminants? Our food travels a long way before it reaches our kitchens, often passing through countless hands, surfaces, and exposure points. Even organic produce isn’t immune.

My Approach to Washing and Prepping Produce

I typically buy most of my food at the beginning of the week and spend Sundays prepping for the days ahead. I’ve found this not only cuts down on prep time but also ensures my fridge is stocked with clean, ready-to-eat meals. Since I batch-prep, I tend to use the soaking method to wash my produce thoroughly. However, keeping a spray bottle with a natural cleaning solution on hand is also great for last-minute washing.

So, how do you properly wash your fruits and vegetables without resorting to harsh chemicals? Stay tuned—I'll walk you through the best natural methods to clean your produce safely and effectively.

Ingredients:

Spray Veggie Clean

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon baking soda

• 1 cup water

Soak Veggie Clean

• 1⁄2 cup vinegar

• 1-2 tablespoons baking soda

• 1-2 tablespoons salt

• 1 liter of water

Directions:

• For the spray; put all ingredients into a spray bottle (be careful as it will foam up) shake gently to mix, then spray on veggies or fruit allow to sit for about 2-5 minutes then rinse under cold water.

• For soak; fill a clean sink or a large salad bowl with cold water; add in vinegar and baking soda, then swish around with hands.

• Place the fruit and/or veggies in and allow to sit for a couple of minutes although you can leave for longer (this will not affect the flavor at all, the vinegar cleans and the salt draws out any little bugs, dirt and other small unwanted things, it also will remove some of the wax.

• Rinse under cold water and dry.

A Simple Step Toward Better Health

Washing your fruits and vegetables isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about protecting your health and making mindful choices about what you put into your body. Whether you’re recovering from illness, managing a weakened immune system, or simply striving to reduce exposure to harmful bacteria and pesticides, taking a few extra minutes to properly clean your produce is a small habit with a big impact.

In a world where we can’t always control the quality of our food, we can control how we prepare it. And for me, that peace of mind is worth every extra step.