In recent years, fireclay gets used in making farmhouse sinks. Thanks to the material’s rust-free property. Most homeowners also like the rustic and timeless feel of fireclay farmhouse sinks. To know more which type of fireclay sinks you should buy, read sink engineering fireclay farmhouse sink buying guide.
Apart from washing dishes and hands in the tub, vegetables also get cleaned in the sink. Unfortunately, not many people know how to wash vegetables correctly inside a fireclay farmhouse sink. Could you be one of them? No need to fret; continue reading this article for some insight.
You may rush to wash your vegetables in a sink but end up ruining them. Though the tub may be beautiful and cleaning the vegetables inside them may feel refreshing and good, the results may be water sprayed all over and broken vegetables if not washed in the right way.
Fortunately, there exist the proper way of washing vegetables inside a fireclay farmhouse sink to avoid all these havoc.
Guide of Washing Vegetables in a Fireclay Farmhouse Sink
The vegetable washing process inside your white farmhouse sink may be exciting, but if it’s your first time, you’ll have to undergo a learning curve. Getting a little wet from the spray is inevitable for the first time, but it’s fun.
The following quick step-by-step guide will help you enjoy the nostalgia and master the routine of hand washing your vegetables and fruits. Through this guide, you will learn how much water and time are suitable for washing a certain volume of vegetables. You’ll also know the correct way of washing vegetables without spilling water.
Step 1: Wash Your Hands
Before washing your vegetables in a fireclay sink, ensure you clean your hands. The best way to ensure your hands are safe for handling vegetables is to wash them with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
Step 2: Look Out for the Bruised and Damaged Areas and Cut Them Off
Vegetables experience a lot from the farm to your kitchen. Some may have overstayed and gotten rotten, while others may get damaged during transportation. Whichever the case, you need to look for the damaged parts in your vegetables and remove them first before washing.
Step 3: Wash the Vegetables under Running Water
Running water helps to remove all dirt on the vegetables effectively. Open the tap at a moderate pressure to avoid water spraying and wash each vegetable until thoroughly clean. If the vegetables come in a bunch, separate it into smaller bunches and have them cleaned under the running at a time.
For some fruits and root vegetables, the dirt may be stubborn to come out through the running water. For such vegetables, use a soft bristle brush to remove all the residues stuck in the pores.
Step 4: Dry the Vegetables
If you are not using the vegetables immediately, dry them thoroughly after washing to avoid bacteria. You can use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe off the water.
Alternatively, you can place them on an airy place away from direct sunlight. Some fireclay sinks contain enough space you can use to dry your vegetables. The market, too, has ideal vegetable racks you can purchase and use for drying. Keep the vegetables and fruits below 400 in the refrigerator after drying to prevent them from spoiling.
After washing your vegetables, you can imagine the mess left inside the sink. It would be best if you were careful not to allow large particles to enter the sinkhole as it can cause a blockage. Such dirt should be gotten rid of while cleaning the vegetables. Then wash the sink after vegetable cleaning, not unless you want to enjoy the awful sight and stench from such a dirty tub.
You may have an idea now of how to wash vegetables in a fireclay farmhouse sink, but have no clue on how to clean a fireclay sink after washing fruits and vegetables. Here are the details to help you out;
How to Clean a Fireclay Kitchen Sink after Washing Fruits and Vegetables
First, remove any residues from the cleaned vegetables. Ensure nothing gets left in the drain. Then take warm soapy water and scrub the entire sink. Don’t miss out to spread the love to the sink’s spray nozzle, sink strainer and faucet. A mild soap used in water will work like magic.
If the dirt from vegetables or fruits has left a hard-to-remove stain, a small washing brush can help you out. If you don’t have a brush, use an old toothbrush. It will also help reach parts that you can’t access easily for cleaning. Mix water and vinegar at a ratio of 1:1 and soak the strainer to disinfect it.
Then rinse everything down with clean water, and don’t forget to wipe the faucet to avoid annoying water stains.
If you scratched your sink while washing the fruits and vegetables, sprinkle it with baking powder while wet. Then take a soft sponge and work it in a circular motion. Ensure you follow the steel’s grain. Baking soda mixed with water forms a fine paste strong enough to buff out any scratch.
If the scratch is deep, scrub it using a ball of fine steel wool. For better results, ensure the sink’s entire surface has gotten scrubbed.
After scrubbing, use white vinegar to rinse the entire sink. Because the baking soda will bubble, allow it to fizz away. When through, wash everything down by turning on the water. Then allow it to dry.
It feels great to use a nice smelling sink. Use a reliable deodorant to leave it fresh for the next use. If you don’t have any, an orange peel or chunky lemon rubbed along the sink’s surface will do the trick.
Conclusion
Vegetables and fruits are part of our lives, and will never miss in our kitchen. Knowing how to wash them properly will ensure our good health as we safe on the water, as illustrated above. If you own a fireclay farmhouse kitchen sink and don’t know how to wash fruits and vegetables, the above guide will help you out.