How To Properly Clean And Sanitize Your Kitchen
Kitchens give a lot to us. They are a gathering place for families, a place to come together to cook and converse…and eventually, yes, clean! Here are some ways you can give a little love back to your cozy kitchen abode by cleaning it the right way. You’ll have the heart of your home all spic and span just in time for your next spaghetti splash!
Clean First!
You might be tempted to grab some Clorox wipes and go but you’d be selling yourself short. More than anything, in terms of cleaning, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the importance of having a cleaning and disinfecting process. You need to physically remove grease and grime on your kitchen surfaces before applying a disinfectant product. Once applied, you should be sure to allow the product to sit on the surface for the amount of time specified on the product’s label.
Disinfect Food Prep Surfaces With Care!
How to clean a cutting board: If you are cleaning a board that is used for cutting raw meat, spray or wipe with a diluted bleach mixture and then rinse thoroughly with water. Allow the board to air dry. For your other cutting board (it’s best to have a separate board that’s not for meat) simply wash thoroughly with dish soap and hot water.
Countertops: Start by wiping down the countertop to remove debris and spills. Once the surface looks clean, it’s time to disinfect (see above.) Finish by getting down to eye level with the countertop and running a hand over it to be sure you haven’t missed any sneaky stuck on spots.
The Kitchen Sink
If you think about it, it’s really not surprising that the kitchen sink is a hotspot for germs with all the abuse it takes day in and day out. The sink basin should be cleaned regularly with a bleach mixture or specialized disinfectant using the aforementioned disinfecting process before rinsing thoroughly.
Tip for cleaning the drain: Every couple weeks a cup of hot water down the drain, followed by a cup of undiluted bleach down the drain and left to sit overnight is said to efficiently sanitize the drain and eliminate any unpleasant odors.
Appliances
Wipe around, under and the actual appliances themselves with an all purpose cleaner and follow proper disinfecting process after cleaning. If you are cleaning an oven with a leave-on spray cleaner, be sure to properly ventilate the room and follow instructions with care.
*As with so many things, setting a consistent cleaning routine can help to prevent the spread of germs, and save you from the stress of an all-day super-cleaning session. A little bit every day goes a long way and then you can really focus on a few special tasks on the days you decide to go in for a deep clean. Here is a sample schedule with daily, weekly and monthly kitchen routines.
Your Kitchen Cleaning Planner
What to do daily, weekly and monthly to keep your kitchen sparkling and clean
Daily Kitchen Cleaning
– Wipe down countertops, surfaces and the stove top and hood.
– Sweep the floor and attend to any spills.
– Do the dishes! And don’t forget to unload clean dishes from the
dishwasher!
– Remove clutter and organize any bills or paperwork hanging ‘round.
– Sanitize the sink with a bit of diluted bleach solution before and after use.
– Sanitize your sponge by running it through the dishwasher or
microwaving for about 30 seconds before using.
Weekly Kitchen Cleaning
– Do an official mopping – not just spot cleaning. This could be a bi-weekly
or more chore if you have kids or pets running around.
– Hit up your appliances like the toaster, coffee maker or blender.
– Wipe down the fridge, especially the door and any spills inside.
– Clean cabinet exteriors and drawers that may have accumulated splatters
or finger smudges.
– Be sure to wash towels and dishcloths in hot water at least weekly when
laundering.
Monthly Kitchen Cleaning
– Give your cabinets and cupboards a deeper cleaning and remove any
expired items.
– Clean the oven.
– Deep clean the refrigerator.
– When doing your kitchen floor, be sure to wash the baseboards and kick
plates under any cabinets.
– Dust the tops of cabinets and your refrigerator as well as light fixtures.
– Take out the trash and give your can a cleaning! Let it sit outside to air out
if possible.
– Run your dishwasher sans dishes with a cup of vinegar to break down any
built-up grime and gunk.
Transfer some foods to clean containers
For foods like whole grains, dried beans, pasta, cereals and other similar items, you may want to transfer them to clean containers. That way you don’t have to worry about the small chance of a virus lurking on the container the food came in.
References:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/abigailabesamis/2020/03/19/how-to-properly-clean-and-sanitize-your-kitchen-according-to-a-culinary-school-instructor/#37a7a9914c94
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/clean-disinfect-food-kitchen-coronavirus_l_5e78bc8bc5b6f5b7c54804ca
https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-kitchen/disinfect-kitchen-items
https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/house-cleaning-checklists/kitchen-cleaning-checklist/