In the age of life hacks and DIY solutions, it's not uncommon to come across some rather unusual methods for everyday tasks. But every so often, one pops up that truly divides the crowd. Enter the latest online debate: Is it innovative or just plain icky to clean your fruit and vegetables in the dishwasher?

Recently, lifestyle influencer Oksana Pali took to Instagram to share her 'reset regime' for washing her weekly produce. Instead of the traditional sink scrub, she opted for a more unconventional approach—loading her dishwasher with oranges, lemons, herbs, lettuce, avocados, capsicum, mandarins, apples, and cucumbers. The citrus fruits were nestled on the top shelf, herbs tucked into the cutlery tray, and lettuce laid out on the bottom shelf.

The internet's reaction? A mix of shock, curiosity, and a touch of admiration. 'Please tell me this is satire,' one user commented, voicing the collective concern over the potential for bacteria from previous wash cycles to linger and contaminate the food. Others were intrigued by the idea, with comments ranging from 'brilliant' to 'damn, that’s smart.'

Influencer Oksana Pali sparked a debate by cleaning fruits and vegetables in the dishwasher. Credit: @oksana_pali / Instagram

Oksana defended her method, explaining that she uses a cold cycle with white vinegar and believes it saves water. She even hinted that this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision—she had read articles supporting the practice.

But before you start tossing your apples in with your plates, let's take a moment to consider the expert opinion. Dr. Rozita Vaskoska, a food safety spokesperson and scientist at CSIRO, weighed in with a firm no. She highlighted the food safety risks of cross-contamination and the possibility of detergent residue on the produce. Not to mention, the washing process could affect the quality of the food.

Dr. Vaskoska recommends sticking to the tried-and-true method of using clean tap water for washing fruits and vegetables. For leafy greens, wash each leaf individually, and for tougher-skinned produce like melons and root vegetables, a clean brush can help ensure they're dirt-free. And don't forget the golden rule: always wash your hands with warm water and soap before handling any food.

So, dear readers, while innovation in the kitchen is always welcome, it seems this particular hack may not be the best idea for your health or your palate. It's essential to balance convenience with food safety, and in this case, the traditional sink might just be your best bet.

Key Takeaways

• Lifestyle influencer Oksana Pali shocked online users by cleaning her fruit and vegetables in the dishwasher, prompting a heated debate.
• While some followers praised the 'genius' hack for being efficient and water-saving, others raised concerns about food safety and potential cross-contamination.
• CSIRO food safety spokesperson Dr Rozita Vaskoska advised against the method, citing the risks of detergent residue and quality changes due to the washing process.
• Dr Vaskoska recommended washing fruit and vegetables with clean tap water and a brush if needed, and highlighted the importance of washing hands before handling produce.

But we're curious to hear from you! Have you ever tried any unconventional methods for cleaning your produce? Or do you have any food safety tips to share with your fellow seniors? Join the conversation in the comments below and let's navigate the ever-evolving world of kitchen hacks together. Remember, the goal is to keep enjoying our fresh fruits and veggies safely and deliciously!

 

[DLHM]

Call me old fashioned, but I could not imagine placing my fruit and vegetables in the dishwasher, even if it had a special produce washing cycle.
I’ll continue to clean by hand.

 

[JimmyFlatrock]

Call me old fashioned

Sensible feels about right to me.

 

[DLHM]

Sensible feels about right to me.

Thank you.

 

[mOiOz]

From experience….

 

[Ezzy]

I think she uses vinegar instead of detergent.

Stated in the article

 

[gbaerken]

NB: Washing with water ONLY - does NOT get rid of pesticides! Especially in hot countries - like Australia - where a lot of pest spraying occurs due to the warm weather attracting. When consumed, it will cause severe diarrhea with stomach ache and vomiting.
I learned this in South Africa and introduced the use of SOAP in WARM WATER to the kibbutz (with over 1,000 people) that I was on in Israel, as a volunteer.
I ended up in charge of the produce kitchen for the rest of my stay, which was quite an honour at that age, as I was told it was the first time a volunteer was given the responsibility of a resident.
The ONLY solution, ALWAYS!
I would never use a dishwasher though, I reckon the heat would be too much for salads.

The pesticides used in Australia as opposed to the rest of the world are supposedly not as harsh. I have known people who never wash their produce here and never had a problem. Also the poster did not just use water she also introduced vinegar into the mix.

 

[Hollingworthlake]

I can’t help but think that there would be some contamination from having washed dirty plates. Doesn’t sound a good idea for me. It’s easy enough to run cold water in the sink to my mind

 

[BeautifulMousey]

Call me old fashioned, but I could not imagine placing my fruit and vegetables in the dishwasher, even if it had a special produce washing cycle.
I’ll continue to clean by hand.

I thought it best to wash your fruit and vegetables immediately before you eat them or cook them

 

[JimmyFlatrock]

The pesticides used in Australia as opposed to the rest of the world are supposedly not as harsh. I have known people who never wash their produce here and never had a problem. Also the poster did not just use water she also introduced vinegar into the mix.

Yep, in addition small amounts of pesticides also find its way inside fruit and vegetables. Cooking destroys most of it, but we will all get to take a wee bit on board irrespective of the washing method.

So how much does washing in fact help. Not sure, but it sure does feel good to give a bit of a water scrub. Some countries are worse for using pesticides than others. There is a list of them in the ether if anyone is travelling.