Washing your fruits and vegetables is a non-negotiable step in keeping your food safe and your body healthy. But what are you really rinsing with? Many commercial produce washes contain surfactants, synthetic preservatives, and artificial fragrances—not exactly things you want on your food.
Thankfully, there’s a safe, effective, and natural option that’s likely already in your home: liquid castile soap. In this post, you’ll learn how to use castile soap as a produce wash, the benefits, how much to use, and why it works.
🥬 Why Wash Produce at All?
Even if you’re buying organic or growing your own, it’s still important to wash produce to remove:
- Dirt and debris
- Pesticide residue
- Pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella
- Wax coatings on store-bought fruits
- Bacteria from handling during shipping and stocking
Washing with plain water helps—but soap can boost the removal of residues and contaminants, especially on smooth or waxy-skinned items.
🧼 What Is Liquid Castile Soap?
Liquid castile soap is a plant-based, biodegradable, and non-toxic soap traditionally made from olive oil. Many modern varieties also include coconut or hemp oil for more lather and versatility.
Because it contains no synthetic foaming agents, fragrances, preservatives, or artificial dyes, it’s safe for:
- Skin
- Home surfaces
- Pets
- And yes—your food
👉 Check out our absolute fave Castile soap brand here!
🥒 Is It Safe to Use Castile Soap As A Produce Wash?
Yes—in small amounts, properly diluted liquid castile soap is safe and effective for washing produce. According to food safety experts, it’s even more effective than plain water at breaking down wax, oils, and pesticide residue on the surface of fruits and vegetables.
However, it should always be rinsed thoroughly, as castile soap is not meant to be ingested.
🧪 How to Use Castile Soap to Wash Fruits & Vegetables
Here’s a simple step-by-step method:
🥗 Produce Wash Soak (for multiple items)
You’ll need:
- A clean sink or large bowl
- Cold water
- ¼ tsp liquid castile soap per gallon of water
Steps:
- Fill the sink or bowl with cold water.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of castile soap per gallon of water.
- Soak your produce for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Gently rub or swish items to loosen dirt.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water for at least 30 seconds.
- Dry with a clean towel or air dry.
🍎 Quick Rinse Method (for individual items)
- Add 1–2 drops of castile soap to a bowl of cold water.
- Dip and gently scrub produce with your hands or a produce brush.
- Rinse well under clean water before eating or storing.
🌿 Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overdo it: Castile soap is highly concentrated, so use the smallest amount necessary.
- Avoid soaking porous produce (like mushrooms or berries) for too long—do a light rinse instead.
- Use filtered water when possible to avoid added contaminants.
- Wash before storage only if you plan to dry thoroughly; otherwise, wash just before use to prevent spoilage.
👉 Learn more about best practices for washing fruits and vegetables from the FDA.
❌ What Not to Do
- Don’t mix castile soap with vinegar: The acid/base reaction neutralizes the soap, turning it into an oily mess.
- Don’t use undiluted: It’s too strong and difficult to rinse fully.
- Don’t skip rinsing: Even natural soap is not meant to be eaten.
🧺 Other Produce Cleaning Alternatives
If castile soap isn’t available, you can also use:
- Baking soda: 1 tsp per 2 cups of water soak
- White vinegar: 1:3 vinegar-to-water spray (rinse thoroughly)
- Store-bought veggie wash: Make sure it’s free from artificial preservatives and fragrances
👉 Here’s a comparison of produce cleaning methods from a study on fruit and vegetable sanitization published in Foods (NIH).
🌎 Final Thoughts
Using liquid castile soap as a produce wash is a simple, natural, and effective way to ensure your fruits and vegetables are clean, safe, and ready to eat. It removes far more than water alone—without coating your food in synthetic chemicals.
This easy swap supports your health and the planet, one wash at a time.