Cleaning the kitchen is one of the most important tasks you can do for your home and your family. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), dangerous bacteria can contaminate counter-tops, cooking utensils, cooking surfaces and even cutting boards. It is imperative to keep this area of your home clean to prevent germs harming your family.
Foodborne Illness Prevention by Cleaning
The kitchen is the primary place for cross-contamination of foods and for spreading germs. While we expect restaurants to maintain food-safety and clean areas, often, these same expectations are not followed at home.
Foodborne illness is one of the biggest challenges to combat, warns the USDA. Why? Because often people are more relaxed at home while cooking meals. Contamination in the kitchen causes family illnesses that could have been prevented by simply cleaning the kitchen during meal preparation and after meals.
Make a Sanitizing Solution Spray Bottle
Simply wiping counter-tops with the kitchen sponge or paper towels does not always kill germs and harmful bacteria. The USDA recommends using a cleaning solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid bleach per 1 gallon of water to sanitize kitchen surfaces (cabinets, appliances and utensils). This is one way for going green without spending a fortune on keeping the kitchen clean.
Using a sanitizing solution spray bottle while cleaning the kitchen reduces the number of germs that build up on surfaces. Did someone come through the kitchen coughing or sneezing? How often has the family cat jumped on the kitchen counters? Germs thrive on hard, dry surfaces. The kitchen counter-tops and cabinets may look clean. However, you'll be amazed at how dirty and unsanitary they are.
Use Soapy Washcloths for Cleaning the Kitchen
A clean washcloth soaked in hot soapy water is excellent for cleaning surfaces while cooking. Use a new, clean cloth for each meal or snap preparation. Wash the cloths in a separate laundry load in hot water and mild bleach after usage. Cleaning the kitchen as you cook increases sanitation and reduces germs in your household. It is an easy habit to form and will make your kitchen as clean, if not cleaner, than a five-star restaurant.
Keep Cutting Boards Sanitary
Never use a cutting board that is dirty or cracked. Use separate cutting boards for meats and for produce, advises the USDA. Replace cutting boards that have groove lines from repeated use or cracks from wood drying out. Clean cutting boards immediately after each use, while cooking. Many times, we overlook cutting board germs because we are in a hurry while cooking. Simply sanitizing the cutting board prior to chopping-up tonight's fruit salad and washing afterward will help not only with cleaning the kitchen after dinner, but keep your family health.
Taking care in the kitchen reduces family illness and potential for food poisoning. Use a sanitizing spray bottle and soapy washcloths to keep the kitchen area clean. Remember to prevent cross-contamination of foods by using separate cutting boards. The key to reducing family sickness is keeping the kitchen clean during meal preparation and after meals are finished.
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