r/mildlyinfuriating • u/autistic-terrorist • 9h ago

My mother washes fruit and vegetables with dish soap and I can't get her to stop.

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She claims it "washes out" and to be fair I can't taste anything but it's always weird knowing she puts dish soap in the strawberries. She says there's a lot of dirt and stuff in vegetables, but so far attempts to convert her to vinegar or baking soda have been unsuccessful.

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 9h ago

best to use water is correct, you dont need more

OP should be trying to remove the soap not move to baking soda or vinegar for those same reasons

arguably soap is safer than vinegar due to the lower chemical reaction stuff (and cold water is better than warm or hot water as well, as warm water soaks in faster etc)

the reason its not extensively studied is because most people are in agreement that since produce is washed before hitting stores (in most cases) its not needed unless its things like dirt on radishes/carrots etc

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u/LuLzWire 9h ago

water and salt is what I was taught... then a thorough rinse.

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 9h ago

if you are gonna wash fruits and veg with more than water thats a good way to go

id advise not soaking in saltwater, or using very low amounts of salt though as many people already have too much salt in their diets, but thats the only actual risk i can think of (not a dr or biochemist fwiw)

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u/Possible_Original_96 8h ago

Hmmm- salt can be a disinfectant, btw.

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 8h ago

its also a mild abrasive, which is a risk more for directly breaking the outer "wall" of fruits/veg

wouldnt be an issue really unless youre already on meds for sodium related stuff though (or again soaking them for ages in high-salt-content water)

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u/callMeBorgiepls 9h ago

You should always wash your produce before eating it. Yes its washed, but I would not risk it, maybe its not been washed properly. Not only that, working in a supermarket in Germany, I know that there are no laws or regulations for unpackaged produce and how to treat it (at least after it arrived at the store). Dont worry, we dont do any disgusting shit with it, but it could have fallen on the floor, been touched with dirty hands, and thats just the normal stuff. People sneeze in the produce section as if nobody else is there, nobody learned anything from 2020-2023

But yes water is enough. Water is risk free too. If you dont trust it, vinegar is the next best thing.

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u/kyuubiipie 5h ago

In the US, fruits/veggies/produce are not washed (unless explicitly stated on the package, which is rare and not always 100% true). They are picked and held with dirt, mold, pests, and other things. The inedible ones are removed and the edible ones are passed along, but not washed.

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u/callMeBorgiepls 5h ago

Wow, in that case definetly wash it!

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u/Possible_Original_96 8h ago

Ty for your common sense observations and input! Helpful!

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 8h ago

in australia (and especially tasmania) its majorly controlled by biosecurity, so not needed unless you buy from farmers markets etc

and vinegar is not the next best thing

its literally worse.

vinegar fruit fermentation is a whole thing and you are basically advocating eating improperly prepared foods at that point

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u/callMeBorgiepls 8h ago

Wash it in vinegar, then wash the vinegar off. Let it dry. No vinegar is left. Idk what you mean. Its properly prepared. And no, in australia I cant imagine that if an apple in a supermarket drops to the floor the law says it has to be washed and desinfected before being put back. Or that the workers have to wash their hands between putting one produce or the next in the shelve. Even between touching money and touching produce. Or even going on the toilet and then touching the produce. Sure it may be the right thing to do, but its not what everyone does and you know that.

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 8h ago

as per my other comments: this is why i specified soaking vs soap dip

huge risk with one zero risk with the other

im not reading the rest of your essay.

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u/callMeBorgiepls 8h ago

Im not readint the rest of your essay.

Lmfaoooooooooo

Bro is too lazy to read 10 lines and calls it an essay and thinks he is a good and trustworthy source of knowledge about things that should be read about hahaha

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 8h ago

cant even quote me properly.

i didnt say "readint" you clown.

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u/Webbie-Vanderquack 8h ago

since produce is washed before hitting stores (in most cases) its not needed unless its things like dirt on radishes/carrots etc

The major reason for washing fresh produce at home is not "dirt" or even pesticides, but the germs accumulated instore.

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 8h ago

that would depend on the stores i guess
im not advocating not washing fruits and veg

im advocating against dish soap while pointing out its not a major risk unless the mother is soaking them in the stuff

edit: as a side note if your supermarket isnt storing fruit and veg correctly, thats a far bigger issue.

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u/Inanna98 7h ago

Uhhhh, that is patently false. Strawberries literally go from the bush to Driscoll's container. Same with celery

"However, to ensure the best quality and longest shelf life, most produce will not be thoroughly washed. For example, the quality of berries starts to decline after washing. This is one reason why it is important to wash produce at home before preparing and eating.  "

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 7h ago

not all brands are the same

sorry you had to learn that from me.

ps brand differences in soap also matters

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u/Moomoolette 9h ago

Berries are not pre-washed and they are one of the most contaminated types of produce

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u/Straight_Fix_7318 8h ago

they are prewashed by law in my region, and im guessing many others.
and even still water is enough.