Fruit Freshener Substitute

Fresh fruit is an important part of every diet.

Fresh fruit is a healthy part of every diet, but growing it often involves the use of pesticides and you should thoroughly wash it before eating. Though many people wash their fruit with cool water, fruit fresheners help remove pesticides and other toxins, and keep fruit fresh and bright.

Significance

While it's possible to buy a bottle of fruit freshener in the produce section of the grocery store, it's often expensive. According to Joellen Feirtag, an associate professor and extension food safety specialist in the University of Minnesota's Department of Food Science and Nutrition, fruit fresheners and washes are often an unnecessary waste of money. To keep fruit clean and bright, wash it with warm water and use a natural product to freshen it.

Natural Fresheners

You can naturally freshen fruit in several ways. Sprinkle fresh, chopped fruit with lemon juice to retain the color. Soak sliced bananas in pineapple juice. Spray the outside of fruits with a mixture of vinegar and water, rub and rinse with warm water. Lightly salted water and vitamin C dissolved in water will also keep fruits fresh naturally.

Considerations

Fruit freshener substitutes are often products you have in your cabinets. They're products you can easily identify, something you know is natural and healthy, rather than an often waxy prebottled product that may not be natural. Best of all, substitute fruit fresheners are completely biodegradable and do not come in plastic bottles.

References

• Chow: What is the Best Way to Wash Fruit?
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices
• Healthy Living Guide: Tips on Washing Fruit and Vegetables
• Recipe Goldmine: Fruit Hints and Tips
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: How Can I Keep Cut Fruit from Turning Brown?