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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wash my fruit and veg?

208 replies

Marmm · 05/02/2022 22:14

Do you wash your fruit and veg before eating?
I usually wash the fruit when I buy it as the kids aren't going to be bothering with that.

Do you wash your fruit and veg or just cook it as it comes?

YABU = Don't bother washing them - I don't.
YANBU = yes of course wash them!

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 05/02/2022 23:26

I think you should but I can’t be arsed.

I think that means IABU

roastingmichael · 05/02/2022 23:27

I wash everything I don't peel.

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 05/02/2022 23:33

Yes, always - to get off pesticides more than dirt. But clearly people who don’t wash stuff don’t eat leeks as they are always full of dirt!

DoubleShotEspresso · 05/02/2022 23:36

Yes I do am amazed by these threads that do many are so unaware of basic good hygiene and the sheer volume of people who've handled food before it reaches the point of sale.
We use a food friendly fruit and veg wash and have done for years- it takes just a few minutes why wouldn't you?

DappledThings · 05/02/2022 23:41

it takes just a few minutes why wouldn't you?
Never occurrs to me to do so, and if I did I really couldn't be arsed.

I don't think tales of warehouses are never going to make me bothered about washing veg any more than they have made me start washing clothes and bedding before use.

DoubleShotEspresso · 05/02/2022 23:43

@DappledThings

it takes just a few minutes why wouldn't you? Never occurrs to me to do so, and if I did I really couldn't be arsed.

I don't think tales of warehouses are never going to make me bothered about washing veg any more than they have made me start washing clothes and bedding before use.

You surely wash new clothes and bedding?
Perfectlystill · 05/02/2022 23:43

Yes I wash fruit and salad incl tomatoes.

I don't wash any other veg apart from leeks to get grit out

Clymene · 05/02/2022 23:43

No

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 05/02/2022 23:45

Store bough, yes always - to remove pesticides etc.

Home grown - only stuff that’s muddy, or salads in contact with soil. Don’t wash raspberries, apples, runner beans etc.

FangsForTheMemory · 05/02/2022 23:47

Pesticides, bird shit, you name it. I wash anything I don't peel.

lemmein · 05/02/2022 23:47

Before I joined MN I didn't know this was a thing. Never occurred to me to wash fruit - occasionally wash veg if it's visibly dirty.

DappledThings · 05/02/2022 23:50

You surely wash new clothes and bedding?
Nope. Never knew this was a thing till I was on MN.

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 05/02/2022 23:50

@lemmein

Before I joined MN I didn't know this was a thing. Never occurred to me to wash fruit - occasionally wash veg if it's visibly dirty.
It does actually say on f&v packaging to wash before use - this is a very standard thing, not a MN crazy hygiene thing.
MangoLipstick · 05/02/2022 23:50

Yes, I always wash fruit and veg. I don’t spend ages doing it though, it’s just a rinse of cold water, not sure if that actually gets rid of anything potentially nasty but it makes me feel better at least!

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 05/02/2022 23:52

Wash shop bought fruit & veg of course!

CorneliusBeefington · 05/02/2022 23:53

Yes, but I wash everything.

I have realised recently I am one of life's germphobes. Its more compulsion than anything and I probably need to seek help for it Grin

RaininSummer · 05/02/2022 23:53

No not really. Give apples a quick run under the tap and wash any mud off veg but that's it

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 05/02/2022 23:54

Put fruit or veg in washing up bowl, add cold water and a tablespoon of vinegar. The vinegar alters the ph making the surface inhospitable to bacteria. Dry on a clean tea towel, no taste of vinegar on the fruit.

This!!! @Suzanne999

Wnkingawalrus · 05/02/2022 23:56

@Quornflakegirl

I always wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly. I even wash melons before cutting them up.
You wash fruit which has skin you will not eat? That’s not something to be proud of.
LadyLolaRuben · 05/02/2022 23:56

I Always wash. I live in a rural area and the chemicals they spray is unbelievable. Plus I've had farm workers tell me if desperate they will pee in the fields as they work

MissSingerbrains · 05/02/2022 23:58

Yes I do. There are signs in some supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Asda telling you to wash the fruit and veg.

MyDogsSpeakItalian · 06/02/2022 00:05

You wash fruit which has skin you will not eat? That’s not something to be proud of.

Proud? Confused When you cut fruit, bacteria or whatever on the skin can transfer to the part you eat. Don’t do it if you don’t want to, but there’s a valid reason for it.

Wingedharpy · 06/02/2022 00:20

I read somewhere , many moons ago, that pesticides are sprayed onto crops and their root system takes up the pesticides from the soil rather than just hoping that all the plants have been thoroughly sprayed round the leaves. Thus, washing won't remove all traces of pesticides - though it will remove grit, dirt, bird poo and semen(! Confused) hopefully.

TheChosenTwo · 06/02/2022 00:30

Haven’t voted because I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be a washer but I’m definitely not one.
Unless it’s something from mils allotment which is often a bit muddy etc, the mud gets brushed/rinsed off then, or tomatoes which make my mouth prickly and itchy unless washed!
Other than that, nothing gets washed. Can’t be arsed.

WoMandalorian · 06/02/2022 00:37

NHS website says to wash fruit or veg you do not plan to cook. You should also wash fruit and veg you will peel or cut into.
I wash fruit more to wash away pesticides than dirt.