How to clean cabbage properly: The simple hacks that remove worms and hidden dirt

Benefits of cabbage

Why does cabbage need cleaning

How to clean cabbage properly

• Start by removing the outer layer of damaged leaves
• Cut the cabbage into quarters and remove the hard stem centre
• Separate the leaves one by one before washing them. (This step is necessary as most insects and dirt are hidden between the leaves).
• Give it a final wash using some of the hacks given in the article

Hacks for final cabbage wash

• Hack 1- Salt water soak

• This is the most common soak that is used while cleaning a cabbage. You can find this hack being used in almost every household. This hack works because worms and insects cannot survive in salty water. When soaked, they will come out on their own and start floating on the surface.
• Just add some salt to a bowl and soak the leaves for 10-15 minutes.

• Hack 2- Vinegar water rinse

• To get rid of the residue, you can take the help of vinegar. Just make sure that after a vinegar soak, you rinse it properly using water. The cabbage can not be cooked directly after using the vinegar.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the water. Soak the leaves in it for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with plain water.

• Hack 3- Warm water final wash

• To remove the dirt and loosened particles from the cabbage leaves, use some warm water for the final wash. Rub the leaves gently with your fingers to get rid of the dirt.
• One should always avoid washing cabbage as a whole or ignoring the soak time. There is absolutely no need to use soap or chemical cleaners to get rid of worms and dirt.
• Even if you get an already cut cabbage from the store, it should be washed, dried and kept in an airtight container, as pre-cut does not always mean pre-cleaned.
• A few extra minutes can make a big difference to both hygiene and peace of mind. Once you make this a habit, you’ll never go back to quick rinsing again.