Salad spinners aren’t just for salad — you can wash any kind of fresh produce in them, which comes in handy when there’s a bacterial or parasitic outbreak like the one we’re currently experiencing.Earlier this month, news of a microscopic stomach parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis started spreading across the U.S., causing explosive diarrhea in its wake. According to microbial disease experts that HuffPost has spoken to, the recent increase in fresh produce consumption, which is more common in the summer months, is likely to blame. The best way to help protect yourself (and stay off the toilet) is to make sure your fruits and veggies are thoroughly washed. Historically, the most commonly affected produce by Cyclospora is raspberries, basil, cilantro, lettuce, and especially some lettuce mixes that come pre-bagged. And though a good rinse in cold water is really all you need as your best line of defense, experts say a salad spinner could also help ensure your produce is as clean as possible — because not only does it allow you to soak your produce fully, but it also spins it dry. If you don’t already own one, the OXO Good Grips salad spinner is one of the most beloved options on the internet, and aside from keeping you and your family safe from any unwanted illnesses, it may prove to be one of the most convenient tools in your kitchen.In fact, as one Amazon customer put it: “I honestly do not know how I survived without this in my life!”Here, Wirecutter shows you how easy it is:Available in three sizes and made from dishwasher-safe plastic, the OXO spinner makes properly washing your vegetables a foolproof process. It has an internal colander that fits inside the bowl, so you can soak your produce, lift the colander portion out to drain, and then return all pieces before using the powerful spin function to remove all water from your produce. No more soggy lettuce leaves or wasting copious amounts of water or paper towels to clean and dry your food. The base is fully non-slip so the bowl won’t fly out from under you and the “pump-style” lid requires only a few presses to get the colander spinning.“The brake button is a great feature because it stops the basket immediately without having to wait for it to slow down on its own,” one reviewer added. Happy OXO salad spinner owners point out that they appreciate how the lid comes apart, making it easy to clean the small cracks and crevices and preventing any mold from developing inside. Even previous salad spinner owners admit that this one is the best that they’ve owned, as it’s effective, well-made, and “well worth the investment.”Take extra precaution this summer and grab this essential tool, or keep reading to see more promising reviews.Promising Amazon reviews:″I’ve gone through several salad spinners over the years, and this OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner is by far the best one I’ve owned. The pump mechanism is incredibly smooth and easy to use, and it spins lettuce, herbs, and other vegetables dry in just a few seconds. The brake button is a great feature because it stops the basket immediately without having to wait for it to slow down on its own. The bowl itself is sturdy and attractive enough to use as a serving bowl, which means fewer dishes to wash. What impressed me most is how effective it is at removing water. My lettuce stays crisp longer in the refrigerator, and salads don’t end up watery anymore. The non-slip base keeps the bowl steady on the countertop, and the lid locks down for easier storage.Cleaning is simple, and the overall build quality feels premium. It may cost a little more than cheaper salad spinners, but the durability and performance make it well worth the investment. If you regularly eat salads, wash fresh produce, or meal prep vegetables, this is one kitchen tool that genuinely makes a difference. Highly recommended.” — Romelio_Vibes“The push-button spinner works great and dries lettuce and other vegetables in seconds. I also like that the basket and bowl can be used separately. It’s practical, easy to use.” — Andrew Godo“I honestly do not know how I survived without this in my life! It’s well built and cleans up easily - I just rinse it and put it in the top rack of my dishwasher. It’s great for cleaning lettuce and other veggies from the garden. I love making coleslaw in it. I add my salt to the cabbage right in the colander insert and it allows it to drain nicely. Then I can quickly spin it a few times to remove additional moisture. No more soggy coleslaw! Yes, it does have about the same kitchen footprint as a decent sized mixing bowl so I had to find a place for it. But it is well worth it.” — Jenifer LopezIf you want to shop for more salad spinners that might help you prevent getting sick this summer, take a look at some additional options below:AmazonA salad spinner that can cut down on time spent washing and drying produceThis 6.6-quart Farberware salad spinner comes with a colander and salad bowl, and can be used to rinse and dry produce much faster — in other words, not only will it save you time, but it can make it easier to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet if you've been previously put off by the prep work. All you have to do is push down on the spinner to get it going, and then press the brake button once the majority of the water has been spun down to the bottom bowl. Easy-peasy.Promising Amazon review: "Before I used this spinner, I had many others.. they all died. The frayed pull chord was mostly responsible if not simply the poor design of this products competitors. Many of paper towels were saved with this purchase. So much of my time wasted in tedious and unnecessary work has been restored. Dry lettuce, don’t walk.. run to me!" — Ozzy G.AmazonA stainless steel salad spinner with a non-slip baseIf you want to forgo plastic altogether, this sleek spinner's bowl is made from stainless steel and has a non-slip base, so it stays fully in place while the interior bowl spins. It has a 5.3-quart capacity. Promising Amazon review: Such a great salad spinner! I am eliminating as much plastic as possible from our kitchen and the tools we use often! This is easy to use, spins the lettuce dry quickly and keeps it crisp! It doesn't slip when you spin and the stop button works great!" — jenniAmazonA commercial salad spinner for larger kitchen jobs For significantly larger batches of produce, you may want to consider this 2.5-gallon commercial spinner (also available in a 5-gallon size), which can spin and wash full heads of lettuce and multiple bags of produce at once. Promising Amazon review: "We own a pizza store and run 2-3 batches (About 6 heads of lettuce per batch- 3 iceberg heads and 3 romaine heads each) of lettuce per day. It is durable, heavy-duty, practical, and awesome!" — Desiree Siowry