5 Tips for a Cleaner and Healthier Kitchen
Keeping the Kitchen Clean and Odor-Free
In most households, the kitchen is the center of the home. It’s where we congregate to snack, talk, bug the cook, do homework and science projects, and more. All that traffic plus food means the kitchen is a hotspot for germs. To keep the home healthy, it’s essential to keep the kitchen as clean as possible. Here are a few tips to keep your kitchen sparkling, disinfected, and safe.
The Trash Can
With food waste constantly going in, the trash can is a prime source for germs and odors. To cut down on foul smells, use a can with a lid and put some baking soda, kitty litter, or a dryer sheet in the bottom underneath the bag. When possible, use a smaller can. A smaller can means emptying more often, which will keep rot and smells out of your kitchen. Finally, be sure to wipe down your trash can often with a good cleaner and disinfectant.
Counters and Stovetops
Grease is a big problem here, especially if you have young, inexperienced cooks helping out. They may mean well, but a paper towel is just going to smear the grease around, leaving a residue that creates and attracts bacteria. Furthermore, you need to remember that there’s a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Teach the budding chefs to use a cleaner-disinfectant combo whenever there’s a food or grease spill to handle both jobs at once.
Pay Attention to the Little Details
It’s easy to see spills on countertops and floors and keep those areas clean. However, don’t forget the smaller items in your kitchen as well. The refrigerator door handle, faucet handles, drawer knobs, the spaces underneath small appliances like coffee makers – these are all areas you should be wiping down with a disinfectant once per week.
The Refrigerator
You’ve got to clean the refrigerator regularly. Get rid of expired foods, wipe down the vegetable and meat drawers, etc. You should also make sure your refrigerator is set at the right temperatures. Set them too high, and your food won’t keep, causing all sorts of smells. The refrigerator should stay between 32 to 40 degrees, while the freezer should be below 32.
Clean the Sink Last
As we’re cleaning our kitchen, we often brushing crumbs off our hands into the sink, rinsing dirty rags, etc. That’s why the sink should be the last thing you clean. Use an antibacterial cleaner for the drain and a good disinfectant for the basin after a rinse.
Following these simple tips will keep your kitchen clean, disinfected, and a hotspot for family instead of germs!
