How to Get Bugs Off Vegetables When Cleaning Them

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Things You'll Need

  • Salt

  • Bowl

  • 2 spray bottles

  • Hydrogen peroxide

  • White vinegar

White vinegar helps remove bugs from vegetables.

Bugs love to hide on fresh vegetables. They live in the tiny crevices and under leaves. Bugs are easily removed with cold water and homemade cleaners. Once you have removed any insects, your vegetables are ready to prepare or store. You will only need to dry them and store them in the refrigerator until use.

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Step 1

Rinse vegetables thoroughly under cold running water. This works well for vegetables like spinach and other leafy greens. Make sure water runs over all of the leaves to remove any insects or debris on the surface.

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Step 2

Add one-fourth cup of salt to one gallon of cold water and soak vegetables for 30 minutes. Use this solution on vegetables with tight flowers, like broccoli or cauliflower. The salty water will penetrate the clusters and the bugs will float to the surface of the water.

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Step 3

Fill two spray bottles, one with vinegar and one with hydrogen peroxide. Spray the vegetables with each solution. This not only kills bugs but also removes dangerous bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. Do not mix the two solutions together in one bottle, since it will creates a caustic acid. Rinse vegetables thoroughly after spraying.

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