This post is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER.
I will confess that I’ve never been a meticulous produce washer. I certainly like to remove dirt from farmers market goods, and I always give waxed citrus a rinse with boiling water before zesting. But beyond that, I typically felt like a quick dunk under running water was enough to cover the worst of the ills.
However, then I got pregnant and started feeling a lot more concerned about ensuring that the fruits and vegetables I was eating were as pesticide-free as possible.
Right at the time I was doing some research about the merits of homemade verses store bought produce washes, I got an email from ARM & HAMMER, asking if I might like to try their new produce wash. It felt like kismet.
This spray is an easy way to remove more than 90% of surface pesticide residue, as well as dirt, wax, and other contaminants. It’s gluten-free, vegan, and doesn’t leave any flavor or odor behind. Using it has really put my pregnancy anxiety to rest, as least when it comes to the fruits and vegetables I’m eating.
Made from purified water, baking soda, salt, two plant-based clean agents, lemon oil, and a food-safe preservative, the formula is based on a study out of the University of Massachusetts as well as several independent studies.
To use the wash it easy. Place the produce you’re preparing in the sink or a colander. Spray it generously with the ARM & HAMMER Fruit & Vegetable Wash. Then rub or agitate the produce to remove surface dirt to wax. Finally, rinse the produce under running water.
ARM & HAMMER Fruit & Vegetable Wash costs $4.99 and is available now.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER. The provided the produce that you see pictured here and I was compensated for my time. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Thanks for posting the link to the study. Based on what it said, I will be adding a pinch of baking soda to my usual produce washing routine, which is based on liquid (grease-cutting dish) soap and water plus physical rubbing prior to rinsing clean.
There was a similar product released years ago called “Fit.” I haven’t seen it around lately. But Google reveals that it’s still sold and it boasts that “Fit Organic Produce Wash is USDA certified organic and removes 98% more pesticides, waxes, human-handling residues, and other contaminants than water alone. ”
I don’t know if you’ve ever tried Fit but I would be interested to know which one works better (if indeed it would be possible to discern what each one leaves behind.) I wish for some actual science here…
I linked to the UMass study that is the foundation of this product. I thought it was convincing.
I am sorry to see you endorse a product that costs money and contradicts studies that show that washing off and rubbing the surface of your fruits and vegetables are more effective than these washes. As with hand washing, it is the rubbing that destroys the evils lurking on the skins.
I read the studies cited by Arm & Hammer and found them convincing.
Marisa, Pardon me – but this is the first time I disagree with you. We don’t need a new packaged veggie wash. Diluted Vinegar in water (3 parts water, 1 part vinegar) is a food safe, people safe cleaner that works to do the same thing this product does. And it is considerably cheaper too. And that new product is bringing even more plastic to the market, which we surely don’t need. I appreciate all you have shared with the food and preserving community. We all listen and learn from you so I hope you will rethink your endorsement of this product.