---
title: Why you should wash your melons
date: 2012-05-30T22:00:52Z
modified: 2012-05-30T22:00:52Z
permalink: "https://elizabethyarnell.com/why-you-should-wash-your-melons/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 2181
categories:
  - Living Naturally
  - Natural Health Questions
tags:
  - fruit and veggie wash
  - how to avoid listeria on cantaloupe
  - how to clean fruit
  - how to wash fruit
  - how to wash vegetables
  - natural veggie wash
  - vegetable cleaner
  - vegetable wash
author: Elizabeth
---

As I prepared to cut into the first watermelon of the season over the holiday weekend, I remembered to wash it first. As the knife moves through the rind to the fruit it can carry along dirt and pathogens from an unwashed skin. Remember last summer’s [listeria outbreak](http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/cantaloupes-jensen-farms/index.html "2011 listeria outbreak") that was traced to the rinds of cantaloupe? A simple washing of melons and hands before cutting could have avoided most if not all of those cases.[![veggie rinse](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Bm01oscBL._SL500_AA300_PIbundle-6,TopRight,0,0_AA300_SH20_.jpg "Fit Fruit and Vegetable wash")

](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E5DZR0/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=lizoneandmore-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001E5DZR0&adid=1FTDC1VQ67F2TVCCT14J)

I always use a veggie rinse like [Fit Fruit and Vegetable Wash](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E5DZR0/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=lizoneandmore-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001E5DZR0&adid=1FTDC1VQ67F2TVCCT14J "veggie wash") to ensure my melons, and indeed, all of my produce, is really clean. Fit claims it removes 98% more dirt, chemicals, and wax than water alone when used correctly, and I suspect that most veggie washes are similar with a basic mix of baking soda and citric acid.

Even organic produce often are coated with anti-fungal agents, albeit natural ones, but not anything you really want to eat. My advice: spray and wash everything before you eat it raw or cook it.

For melons, spray with your veggie wash and rub it around with your hands for about a minute to really clean the orb well, then rinse with water and feel safe to cut away.