When our recipe for Strawberry-Feta Side Salad ran in the newspaper, Desperation Dinners reader Louise Hyson raised this concern:

“Are you saying people should use the so-called prewashed baby field greens as they come from the plastic shell? Are you aware of some cases of salmonella or botulism (I'm not sure which it was) from using them unrinsed at home?”

Yes indeed, we have read about various concerns (mostly about spinach), but we surely don’t want anyone to get sick from our salads!

Along with Louise, we Googled around and found lots of “recipes” for making produce washes at home. Most of these are intended to rinse away pesticides but will rid your greens of other hazards, too. Here are some of the home remedies. (Several commercial firms also sell produce rinses, but homemade is much cheaper!)

So rinse away and enjoy this luscious side salad with no worries.

Homemade Produce Wash

1 cup water
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda
20 drops grapefruit seed extract (available at Whole Foods or your local health food store or you can substitute lemon juice in a pinch)

Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce (avoid using on mushrooms), let sit 5 to 10 minutes and rinse.

Alternative (good for berries, beans and smaller produce):

Large bowl or sink of cool water
4 tablespoons salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon.

Combine water and salt. When salt has dissolved, add lemon juice. Soak produce for 10 minutes and rinse.

Thanks so much, Louise! Any other ideas?