Your kitchen is a place where you prepare your meals, store your groceries, and end up spending a lot of time in. This is also the place that harbors most of your waste, what with all the liquid and dry ingredients spilled near-constantly. Also, no one is new to the grease that somehow sticks all around.
But it is a known fact that the hygienic conditions of your kitchen affect your health directly and so this place should be cleaned regularly.
Let’s look at the 5 places in your kitchen that need to be kept clean in order to safeguard yourself and your family against germs and diseases:
1. Kitchen Sink
The sink is the part of the kitchen that is used the most. So, it comes in contact with all kinds of things like meat, unwashed products like fruits, vegetables, etc, and other things that are full of bacteria. Moreover, this is the place where E-coli and other food-related illnesses can arise. Therefore, the sinks must be cleaned thoroughly every day.
You can use a simple sponge or special sponges or brushes to clean the sink, whether stainless steel or porcelain, thoroughly at least once a day. You also need to wipe it clean so that no water stays there. The faucets must be scrubbed with soap and water on a daily basis so that no buildup occurs.
2. Kitchen Counters
The second part of the kitchen that needs to be kept clean on a daily basis is the kitchen counters. They are even more frequently used than the sink as you prep your meals here. You also place random things on the counter when you come home so a number of germs can collect here. Therefore, you need to clean the counters regularly and disinfect them thoroughly every 3-4 days.
You can use a sponge and a cloth to wipe the counters clean after use and at night before turning in. For thorough cleaning, clean the countertops with soap and water. Then, use a disinfectant cleaner or a diluted solution of bleach or alcohol to properly disinfect the counter.
3. Rangehood
The range hood over the stove also becomes dirty very quickly and gives your kitchen an unpleasant appearance. Also, it may collect grease that may become a fire hazard.
Hence, cleaning it after a few weeks becomes mandatory. You can use a mixture of 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1 tablespoon grease-cutting dish soap in a spray bottle. Sprinkle it generously and let it rest for half an hour. Then wipe clean with a dishcloth.
If you guys haven’t installed a range hood then do so because it keeps the air grease-free while you cook in the kitchen. Otherwise, all that grease just spreads into the air and settles on whichever surface it comes in contact with. Here are some of the best range hoods to choose from.
4. Dishwasher
Cleaning the dishwasher on the outside to make it seem your kitchen is spotless is not enough. Cleaning the Inside of the dishwasher is what matters. You need to clean the walls, the inside of the door and the sliding racks as these places are left with the residue when you’re done with the dishes.
Also, the most important part is the bottom of the dishwasher where the food residue is flushed out and may also clog the drain.
If there are any large solids stuck around the drain, remove them. Then clean the drain by using vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the area with vinegar then wash with water.
5. Sponges and dish towels
Cleaning the kitchen protects it against germs and bacteria. But the cleaning materials that you use must be cleaned as well as they may contain salmonella and E-coli. Sponges and dish towels have been found to have the perfect environment to house bacteria.
They may have yeast and mold, and Staphylococcus aureus, or staph on them. Moreover, since they are used for cleaning both wet and dry stuff, they provide the perfect ground for bacteria growth. Hence, they must be sanitized before you use them again.
The sponges need to be replaced frequently; maybe twice a week or as per your use (if used excessively, then replace every week). If you want to use it again, microwave it for about 2 minutes to kill the bacteria. For the cloth, use hot water and detergent to wash it thoroughly before using again.
Conclusion
All these places and things discussed above are the ones that, if not cleaned properly, can have a seriously adverse effect on your lifestyle and health. Therefore you must make sure that your kitchen is not only immaculate from the outside but also clean from the inside and free of disease. The kitchen is where your family spends a lot of their time!
Author Bio: Sarah likes to keep her kitchen clean – and everything else as well. When she isn’t cleaning, she reviews products for Kitchen Faction.
