
From the Mailbag: Dirty Laundry and Filthy Vegetables
- Are you washing your clothes in a dangerous chemical?
- Discover the one common product that can soften, brighten and deodorize your wash naturally
- Plus, two ways to make sure your produce is truly clean.
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
Today, we have two important questions about household chores — laundry and food prep.
Let’s dive in…
Come Clean Without TSP
Greetings, Natalie!
I’ve read several articles stating that trisodium phosphate significantly enhances the cleaning power of any laundry detergent or soap, but I’m curious if it poses any health or environmental issues. Do you have any thoughts on using it?
Thanks!
J.
J., thanks for asking such a great and important question about this cleaning chemical.
Trisodium phosphate is a strong chemical and should be avoided for both health and environmental concerns.
While it’s a proven degreaser, stain remover and cleanser, it’s also extremely dangerous to aquatic wildlife. In fact, many states have banned the addition of phosphates in dishwasher detergents due to their ability to pollute lakes, streams, bays and harbors. Phosphates help create algae blooms that decrease oxygen levels and kill aquatic organisms.
In addition, it can impact the health of humans. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, exposures to TSP can cause breathing difficulty, esophageal burns, diarrhea, bloody stool, vision loss, severe change in blood acid levels and severe skin burns.
For these two reasons, it’s best to avoid TSP — no matter its cleaning powers.
If you’re looking to boost your cleaning power naturally, pick up some white vinegar. All vinegars contain acetic acid that can soften and brighten your laundry while killing off nasty odors. But distilled white vinegar is the best choice for laundry because it doesn’t contain tannins or natural plant dyes that may stain your clothes.
Simply add half a cup of distilled white vinegar directly to your wash to help combat odors. If you want to use vinegar as a fabric softener, add half a cup to the rinse cycle or in the fabric softener well of your washing machine.
White vinegar is available at most grocery stores and can be ordered from online retailers like Amazon.com
Speaking of vinegar…
Two Ways to Wash Bacteria Away
Hi, Natalie,
For years, I’ve rinsed fruits and veggies under tap water and then swished them around in a water-and-vinegar solution in the sink. This seems to get my produce very clean, but I’ve never seen the vinegar wash recommended as a means to making fruits and veggies safer to eat. Do you know if white vinegar helps kill bacteria?
Thanks,
Mary
Mary, thanks for bringing this up. We often report on bacteria outbreaks here at Living Well Daily, so it’s important to know the best way to wash your produce.
Sounds like you have been washing your veggies right! Incorporating vinegar into your veggie washing can help reduce your exposure to bacteria and viruses.
According to a study in the Journal of Food Protection, a solution that is one part vinegar to nine parts water removes 90–95 percent of viruses and bacteria from strawberries after being gently agitated (swishing works great for this) for two minutes. While this study only included strawberries, it would make sense that this method would be effective on other produce.
It’s important to note that the vinegar solution doesn’t always kill these microorganisms. Instead, it makes it more difficult for them to stick to the veggie’s surface. This means they will wash away easier in water.
Once you have finished your two minutes of swishing your produce around in the solution, be sure to rinse thoroughly. This will remove any leftover vinegar that may affect taste. This method may cause some flavor changes on produce with thin skins like certain berries or peaches.
That’s why it’s important to note studies done by the University of Maine conclude that plain ol’ tap water is the most effective against bacteria.
A thorough H2O rinse of your fruits and veggies can wash away 98 percent of the bacteria lurking on it.
So if you have a thin-skinned produce, you can omit the vinegar as long as you give them a healthy rinse.
Filtered water is a better option than tap water, even if it’s just for rinsing your produce. If you’re in the market for a water filter, be sure to check out the Turapür. This easy-to-install countertop filtration unit is unlike most water filters on the market. Not only does it include 6 inches of KDF process media and activated carbon to filter your water, it also has a unique mineral mix that produces hydrogen-rich antioxidant water directly from your sink. Click here to learn more about the Turapür.
With or without the vinegar, just be sure you are washing your produce!
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
P.S. Send me your questions! I would love to answer them! nmoore@lfb.org
Sources
[1] Trisodium phosphate poisoning
[3] 7 Myths About Washing Your Produce

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
One-Third of Dementia Cases Linked to This Treatable Condition
Dementia is on the rise—and the number of cases is expected to double by 2060. Most people focus on common risk factors like diet, exercise, or genetics. But one of the biggest threats to your brain health is something most of us take for granted… Until it starts to fade away. Worse yet, research shows...
Medications That Don't Mix Well with Coffee
If you’re a regular Living Well Daily Reader (and I certainly hope you are), I probably don’t need to tell you I’m a coffee fan. I regularly share information on coffee’s many health benefits—from boosting metabolism to reducing disease risk. But many don’t realize that cup of Joe can interact with common medications, sometimes reducing...
Invisible Microplastics Trigger Serious Health Concerns
We often joke about living in a plastic-covered world these days. But the reality is far more concerning than most realize. Tiny plastic particles—or microplastics—have infiltrated nearly every corner of our environment, from the deepest ocean trenches to the air we breathe. And now, alarming research reveals these microscopic menaces aren’t just polluting our planet—they’re...
Mailbag: Discover What a Naturopathic Doctor Really Does
“What does the “ND” stand for? Is Dr. Olson a Medical Doctor?” —Inquiring Mind Hi Inquiring, Great question! “ND” stands for Naturopathic Doctor. While I’m not an MD or Medical Doctor, I am a licensed healthcare professional with extensive medical training. As an ND, I completed a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school after earning my...
"Invisible" Food Ingredients SABOTAGE Blood Sugar
If you’re trying to keep your blood sugar in check, you know the drill. Cut way back on sugar in your diet. While you’re at it, rein in your fat intake too, which can lead to insulin resistance. And don’t forget the extra calories—they add up fast and can sabotage your blood sugar control. But...
The Alarming Microplastic Secret Hidden in Your Chewing Gum
Today I want to honor and thank mothers and mother figures whose caring hearts have guided us through life’s journey. Your love has shaped generations. Happy Mother’s Day! That pack of gum in your pocket may be doing far more than just freshening your breath. A disturbing new study finds chewing gum is a surprising...
Plant Compound SLASHES A1c Levels in 12 Weeks
Diabetes is skyrocketing in the United States. And the trend shows no sign of slowing down. The projected number of adults with diabetes is expected to increase from 22.3 million (9.1 percent) in 2014 to 39.7 million (13.9 percent) in 2030, and further to 60.6 million (17.9 percent) by 2060. That’s a massive 165 percent...
Two-Week Diet Switch Transforms Your Health
You know how you feel sluggish and “off” after a vacation filled with fast foods and processed snacks? Well, it’s not all in your head (or merely guilt). When you switch to an unhealthy Western-style diet, there are physical consequences—and they kick in faster than you might think… The Western diet is characterized by ultra-processed...
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...