How to properly wash your fruits without soap or chemicals?

Generally, washing fruits and vegetables with water is usually sufficient to remove most microbes and potential pathogens found on fresh produce, but sometimes there are some that simply make us more distrustful, like strawberries.Fresh products can harbor bacteria, fungi, and other microbes along with traces of chemicals. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help improve the safety of fruits and vegetables.For example, although it may seem like an obvious step, when handling fruits or generally our fresh foods, we should have clean hands, so you should first wash your hands with water and soap.Other key points are to limit the quantities you buy, as most fresh products can only be stored for two to five days, although fruits like apples can last much longer at proper temperatures.On the other hand, although washing products before storing them may seem like a practical idea, doing so can promote bacterial growth and accelerate spoilage, so it is more advisable to wait and wash the fruits just before using them. The correct way to wash fruits without soaps or chemicalsNo washing method completely eliminates or kills all microbes that may be present on fruits, but science has shown that thoroughly rinsing fresh produce under running water is an effective way to reduce the number of microorganisms. Moreover, washing fruits also helps remove pesticide residues they may have.To wash your fruits, you just need to rub them under running water to remove dirt and microorganisms from the surface. You can also soak them in a clean container filled with water and scrub them there, without using soap or chlorine solutions, as some fruits are porous and could absorb those chemicals, changing their safety and flavor.How to wash fruits with skins or hard exteriorsMany times we think that this type of fruit, like melons, pineapples, or oranges, does not need to be washed, but it is advisable to do so, as when you cut these fruits, you could introduce the microbes from the surface to the part you are going to eat, so make sure to wash them under running water before you start peeling or cutting them. Some public health institutions also recommend using a clean brush for fruits and vegetables to more effectively remove any potential pathogens from the skin or peel.Apples, cucumbers, and other firm fruits: wash well by rubbing with your hands under running water or peel to remove preservation waxes. Melons: the rough and tangled surfaces of some types of melons are a great environment for microorganisms that can transfer to the inner surfaces when cut, so to minimize the risk of contamination, scrub the melons and wash them under running water before peeling or slicing them.Berries: blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries are known as berries, and they are extremely fragile, so it is important to be extremely careful with them. The easiest way to wash strawberries, blackberries, and other berries is to place them in a colander and rinse them with a slow stream of running water. It is not advisable to soak them, because berries, like strawberries, act like a sponge and absorb a lot of water, which affects both their flavor and texture. In the particular case of strawberries, you should not remove the stems before washing them, as this will create another way for them to absorb water.Peaches, plums, and other soft fruits. Wash them under running water and dry them with paper or paper towels.If for your peace of mind you need something that makes you feel like you are disinfecting your fruits, you can try a mixture of vinegar and water, free of chemicals. Fill a large container with 8 cups of water, add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and soak the fruits and vegetables there for 15 minutes. After the time has passed, gently scrub, drain, dry, and you're done. Consider avoiding this with porous fruits and vegetables, so they do not change their flavor or texture.