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With headlines swirling around the cyclospora outbreak – and during peak salad season, no less – you may be reexamining how to effectively clean your fruits and vegetables at home.
The parasitic illness, which causes watery, explosive diarrhea, has affected thousands of people across the US, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects the outbreak to continue through August. Health officials are reportedly looking at iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms supplied to Taco Bell as a possible source.
Under normal circumstances, a good rinse would be a sufficient precaution, but until a source has been officially confirmed, it doesn’t hurt to be extra thorough when prepping fresh produce. While the CDC still recommends cooking veggies as the best way to kill the parasite, taking extra time to thoroughly rinse, scrub and dry your farm fresh goods might be able to help fend off the risk of infection. With the current risk of cyclospora, even pre-washed bagged veggies may be worth washing again.
You should always wash your hands and surfaces before handling food, of course, but having the proper cleaning tools is also key. I’ve been a food writer and product reviewer for nearly a decade, and I’ve tested hundreds of cooking gadgets and tools to see what’s worthy of a space in your kitchen. From veggie brushes to a reliable peeler to a salad spinner, here are six kitchen tools that can elevate the cleanliness of your produce, and hopefully help keep cyclosporiasis at bay.
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OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner
OXO
Good Grips Salad Spinner
from $32.95
After rinsing lettuce and other leafy greens, draining them is a snap with a salad spinner. It uses centrifugal force to send excess water to the outer bowl, leaving you with crisp and fresh leaves that are ready to use and will not water down salad dressing. This model features OXO’s signature plunger that you can easily operate with one hand and a brake to immediately stop the basket from spinning with one touch. I’ve owned a version of the Good Grips salad spinner for over 10 years, and it still works perfectly – plus, you can put the entire thing into the dishwasher to clean.
OXO
Good Grips Salad Spinner
from $32.95
US Kitchen Supply Stainless Steel Colander
U.S. Kitchen Supply
Stainless Steel Colander
from $19.99
This colander is designed to rest over the sink. If I can’t put my vegetables in the salad spinner to dry, I can let them sit to let excess water drip right into the sink below. The roomy colander measures 13in by 9 in, and the mesh is fine enough to keep things contained, even when draining smaller items such as rice and orzo pasta. Expandable rubber handles ensure the colander stays in place, and when I’m done with it, I place it in the dishwasher for hassle-free cleaning.
U.S. Kitchen Supply
Stainless Steel Colander
from $19.99
OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler
OXO
Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler
from $12.97
The cyclospora parasite lives in soil and contaminated water, which can latch onto the surfaces of raw fruits and vegetables. The FDA recommends discarding the outer layers of raw produce and peeling them is one of the best ways to do so. This peeler, made of die-cast zinc and a stainless steel blade, makes it easy to take off the skins of potatoes, apples, cucumbers and more thanks to a swiveling head and non-slip, ergonomic handle that offers plenty of control. I’ve owned this dishwasher-safe peeler for years, and love that you can replace the blade instead of having to purchase a whole new unit.
OXO
Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler
from $12.97
Tawashi Brush
The soil that clings to your favorite root vegetables is no match for this multi-purpose, environmentally friendly scrub brush. A Japanese household staple for decades, it is made with natural coconut palm fibers and used to scrub the skins of carrots, daikon and yams. It’s firm enough to dislodge dirt and other organic matter without damaging the vegetable, and it’s easy to clean by rinsing and hanging it to dry. When it has outlived its usefulness, it can be easily disposed of because it’s 100% biodegradable (just snip and toss the single wire that binds the bristles).
Tawashi
Brush
from $9
Koala Eco Fruit & Vegetable Wash
Koala
Eco Fruit & Vegetable Wash
from $11.99
While the FDA says it’s fine to simply wash your produce with tap water – and you can easily make a DIY wash such as baking soda and water to remove pesticides – this natural fruit and vegetable wash is an easy choice for those who want extra peace of mind. Made with a biodegradable surfactant (a cleaning agent derived from natural sources such as plant oils), it will not kill cyclospora, but it helps loosen dirt and remove residual pesticides, oils and other agricultural chemicals. And it rinses away cleanly, without leaving any unusual aftertaste.
Koala
Eco Fruit & Vegetable Wash
from $11.99
Norwex Veggie & Fruit Scrub Cloth
Norwex
Veggie & Fruit Scrub Cloth
$14.99
The surface of your favorite produce might look clean after thorough rinsing, but this microfiber veggie scrub cloth can help ensure you remove every last bit of dirt, protective wax and debris. The rough side of the cloth lets you brush away remaining soil or residue from the uneven surfaces of leafy greens or rough exterior of beets and radishes. The smooth side is ideal for drying, even for delicate items like herbs and berries, and can also be used to polish the surface of apples and pears for a picture-worthy fruit bowl.
Norwex
Veggie & Fruit Scrub Cloth
$14.99
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
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How to properly clean and disinfect your home after illness – expert tips to kill germs
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10 essentials to stay cool during a heatwave – no AC required
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‘A sticky mess’: I was cleaning my bathroom all wrong – here’s how to do it like a pro
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