The 5 Essentials of Kitchen Hygiene

We’ve all been there – feeling under the weather with a runny nose, achy body, and a fever that just won’t quit. But have you ever stopped to think that your kitchen might be the culprit behind your sickness? From bacteria-laden sponges to cross-contamination, your kitchen could be a breeding ground for germs. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with 5 essential tips for maintaining kitchen hygiene.

For housewives, mothers, caregivers, and anyone who has moved out of home, it’s essential to understand the significance of keeping your kitchen clean and germ-free.

As the heart of our homes, the kitchen is where we prepare meals for our loved ones. However, it’s easy to overlook the small details that could be contributing to our family’s health issues.

With busy schedules and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to overlook the small details that could be contributing to your family’s health issues. So, let’s dive in and explore some simple and effective ways to keep your kitchen safe and hygienic.

1: Cleanliness is key

One simple yet effective way to ensure a clean kitchen is through regular cleaning of surfaces, utensils, and appliances.

– Clean surfaces, utensils, and appliances regularly, use hot water and soap to wash dishes, cutting boards, and countertops

– Sponges and dishcloths should be regularly cleaned or replaced to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for harmful microorganisms.

Remember this golden tip, cleaning surfaces before sanitizing or disinfecting them is vital as dirt hinders the effectiveness of chemicals in killing germs.

There are three stages in the cleaning process

Clean – clean surfaces with soap and hot water or with cleaning products suitable for the surface. This may be enough in most cases.

Sanitize – to sanitize surfaces, use a mild bleach solution as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Disinfect – Use a stronger bleach solution – 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room temperature water or as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

2: The importance of hand-washing

– Wash hands before and after handling food

– Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

– Dry hands with a clean towel or air-dry

3: Proper food storage

– Store perishables right away in the refrigerator or freezer right away. It may be best to throw away items needing refrigeration if left out at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if the air temperature is above 90° F (32° C).

– Store raw meat, poultry, and seafood on the bottom shelf of the fridge to avoid cross-contamination

– Check expiration dates and discard any expired or spoiled food. It feels bad to throw away food, I know but it’ll feel worse rotting in your stomach. Mulch into the garden instead.

– If in doubt, chuck it out. Food doesn’t need to look, smell, or taste bad to be harmful. Whilst food might not be “bad”, pathogenic bacteria may be present in improperly prepared or stored foods especially, eggs and meat etc, and, can make you sick. So, be mindful of ill-prepared and ill-handled produce.

We urge you to bookmark and read the key info on the CDC Food Safety web page.

4: Mind the Fridge

– Don’t crowd the refrigerator or freezer so tightly that air can’t circulate. The cooling process relies on air moving around the item.

– Get an appliance thermometer and periodically check that your refrigerator temperature is at or below 40° F (4° C) and 0° F (-18° C) for the freezer.

– Store raw meat, poultry, and seafood on the bottom shelf of the fridge to avoid cross-contamination.

– Cleaning up spills quickly is important to stop any Listeria growth. So is cleaning the fridge and there is a handy PDF from the CDC with a guide for that.

4: Kitchen tools and equipment

– Use a separate sponge/cloth for cleaning appliances and wiping surfaces. Be sure the sponge is sanitized before using.

– Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment such as blenders and food processors after each use. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or turn off the equipment, clean under and around, wash or soak any removable parts in hot soapy water, wash and rinse all surfaces, spray with sanitiser if need be, and air dry.

5: Clean as you go

– Clean up spills and messes immediately

– Wipe down surfaces after each use

– Sweep or vacuum the kitchen floor regularly

By implementing these practical tips, you’re on your way to having a safer and healthier kitchen environment for yourself and your family.

Conclusion:

Maintaining kitchen hygiene is essential for our family’s health and well-being. By following these 5 essential tips, we can keep our kitchens clean and free of harmful bacteria. Remember, a clean kitchen is a happy and healthy kitchen!

Extra Information

• Sanitizing solution: 1 tablespoon unscented chlorine bleach in 1 gallon (3.7 Litres) of warm, not hot, water as hot water weakens the solution.
• Do not mix bleach solution with other chemicals as they could produce harmful gases.
• Drying with a dish towel can risk recontamination, instead, air-dry dishes, etc. in a clean and sanitized dish rack.