How to make your own veggie scrub brushes
What's the story
Making your own vegetable scrub brushes is an easy and green way to get your produce squeaky clean without breaking the bank.
With a few common household items or natural materials, you can create scrubbers that work just as well (if not better!) than the store-bought ones.
This guide will show you several ways to DIY your veggie scrub brushes on the cheap.
Repurpose
Use old toothbrushes for delicate veggies
An old toothbrush makes an excellent tool for cleaning delicate vegetables like mushrooms and tomatoes.
So, next time you are about to toss a toothbrush, give it a good clean and stash it away for kitchen use.
Not only will you save some cash, but you'll also be doing your part to reduce waste.
Just make sure it's a soft-bristled brush so you don't accidentally scrub off the veggie skins!
Natural DIY
Craft with natural fibers
Make your own scrub brushes with natural fibers like sisal, jute, or coconut husk.
Sold in bundles for under $10 at craft stores, you can easily secure these materials to a wooden handle or even a sturdy twig.
Not only will this eco-friendly method clean your root veggies like potatoes and carrots with ease, but it will also add a touch of rustic charm to your kitchen tools.
Upcycle Mesh
Upcycle mesh produce bags
Mesh produce bags that often come with onions or oranges need not be discarded. They can be upcycled into handy scrubbers.
By balling them up and securing them with twine or rubber bands, you create a textured surface perfect for scrubbing off dirt from hearty vegetables like potatoes and beets.
This hack costs practically nothing and contributes to reducing plastic waste by repurposing something that would otherwise be tossed.
Sew simple
Sew your own from fabric scraps
If you know basic sewing, you can easily make vegetable scrubbers out of fabric scraps. Terrycloth or any textured fabric works best.
Just cut two pieces into whatever shapes you fancy, sew them together leaving one side open. Then, stuff it with more scraps and close it up.
These scrubs are gentle on veggies, and being washable and reusable, they save money and are eco-friendly.
Loofah love
Utilize loofah sponges
Natural loofah sponges, besides being eco-friendly and long-lasting, are perfect for cleaning vegetables, thanks to their rough, porous texture.
You can either grow your own loofah plants or purchase a dried loofah for approximately $5 and cut it into smaller pieces for the kitchen.
These biodegradable sponges provide a natural abrasive surface for scrubbing dirt off even the toughest vegetables, without the use of harmful chemicals.