Scientific Background
The story behind the fruit-washing solution ‘Cleenish’ began when we sat down at our computers and started researching scientifically-proven methods for removing pesticides and other impurities from fruit.
We came across a wide range of results: from sensational headlines on questionable websites to smaller healthy-living blogs to serious scientific studies published in reputable journals. Naturally, we focused on the latter.
The more we read, two ingredients consistently stood out as the most effective solutions: baking soda and D-limonene.
Next we searched for the best way to combine these two ingredients into a product that would be easy to use and store (in plastic-free packaging). That’s how Cleenish was born.
We’ve highlighted two key scientific studies that confirm, through real experiments, that baking soda and D-limonene significantly reduce the most common types of pesticide residues. Because of their effectiveness — and more importantly, their safety — these two ingredients are likely the best available solution for neutralizing pesticide residues.
Baking Soda
The first study we highlight is “Effectiveness of Commercial and Homemade Washing Agents in Removing Pesticide Residues on and in Apples”. It shows that baking soda, in a 10 mg/mL solution and used for 12–15 minutes, delivers excellent results — nearly completely removing pesticide residues from the surface of fruit. It significantly outperforms standard washing with Clorox bleach or plain water.
The study focused on two commonly used pesticides: the systemic fungicide thiabendazole and the non-systemic insecticide phosmet, both applied to the surface of apples. The presence of these substances was tracked using advanced methods like SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering) with gold nanoparticles and LC-MS/MS analysis.
Standard 2-minute bleach washing showed limited effectiveness, while a 10 mg/mL sodium-bicarbonate solution used over an extended wash (12 minutes for thiabendazole and 15 minutes for phosmet) significantly reduced the amount of pesticide on the surface. Results showed that nearly all surface pesticide residues were removed, while only 20% of systemic thiabendazole and 4.4% of phosmet penetrated deeper into the fruit.
This confirms that baking soda not only physically rinses off pesticides effectively but also chemically degrades them — making it a superior and safe solution for washing fruits.
D-Limonene
D-limonene is a natural monocyclic monoterpene best known for its fresh citrus scent. It is extracted from the peels of citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits. It is classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), making it safe for use not only in food but also in cosmetics, perfumes and cleaning products.
Its versatility includes naturally flavoring foods and beverages, enhancing taste and aroma, stabilizing products, and reducing the need for synthetic additives. D-limonene also effectively neutralizes unpleasant odors and pollutants, contributing to a safer and more sustainable product overall.
The study we’re highlighting tested D-limonene’s effectiveness in removing pesticides from grapes. The grapes were treated with four common pesticides — Chlorpyrifos, Dichlorvos, Bifenthrin, and Deltamethrin — and divided into three groups: untreated (control), washed with distilled water, and washed with D-limonene (dissolved in n-hexane at a 0.33 ml/ml concentration), followed by a distilled water rinse.
The GC-MS analysis results speak for themselves:
- Washing with distilled water alone reduced residues by only 13–25%.
- Washing with D-limonene led to massive reductions:
- Chlorpyrifos by 90%
- Deltamethrin by 85%
- Bifenthrin by 74%
- Dichlorvos was reduced by only 5%
These results clearly demonstrate that D-limonene, thanks to its ability to denature and neutralize harmful chemicals, is an extremely effective solution for reducing pesticide residues on fruit.
Final Thoughts
As shown in both studies, no method removes 100 % of pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables, not even peeling. But the most important takeaway is that a combination of proven ingredients (like baking soda and D-limonene), along with physical scrubbing under clean running water, greatly improves the safety of the produce we eat.
That is why Cleenish is the most elegant, effective and practical solution on the market today
