The Perfect Vegetable Washing Rack Has Been Hiding Under Our Noses All Along

Is your produce-washing routine feeling a bit, uh, washed up? Since bacteria can lurk in the soil or water used to grow produce (or any surfaces they may touch en route from the ground to your plate), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating. But, to avoid further contamination, it's also crucial they not come in contact with any unclean surfaces before they hit your mouth. So, if you struggle to find a bowl large enough for rinsing that collection of cucumbers or a can't suss out a suitable place to store them before prep, allow us to cook up the perfect solution.

Turns out an oven rack (thoroughly cleaned, of course) can double as the perfect washing surface. Simply place the rack over your sink — you'll need one that can fit the width or depth of the sink without falling for this to work — and lie your carrots, peppers, or other preferred produce on top. Then, get to scrubbing — bathe your vegetables and rid yourself of the worry that you could be one of the estimated 48 million people in the U.S. who develop a foodborne illness each year.

The secret to this recipe, of course, is to start with thoroughly scoured oven racks. You can clean particularly greasy oven racks using warm water and about a half cup of corn flour. Crumpled pieces of aluminum foil can also help scrub off the grime. Another way to ensure it all comes out in the wash is to use laundry detergent to get your oven racks sparkling clean. You'll soak the racks in hot water and a ¾ cup of the detergent overnight to loosen any grease or grime.

Once you've cleaned up their act, simply use your racks to lay out your produce. Then, using your faucet or spray function, give your veggies a good rinse under cold running water, gently rubbing them as you work. Consider using a brush when cleaning root vegetables or anything with a sturdier exterior. Once washed, dry immediately after, using paper towel or a clean cloth. And if your veggies are truly garden-to-table, consider washing the produce you pick from your backyard garden with baking soda. Mixed with water, the kitchen staple can break down any pesticides that may linger on the vegetables' surfaces.