Most of us have some sort of daily routine for cleaning the kitchen, even if it’s just cleaning up after we’ve cooked. We might wipe the counters and perhaps sweep up any bits of food that have fallen onto the floor while we made dinner, and we’ll probably do the washing up or load up the dishwasher. Some homeowners will do a thorough clean of the kitchen every few months or so – perhaps clearing the surfaces and giving them a wash with disinfectant, washing down the cupboards, mopping the floor and cleaning the oven, fridge and freezer. But do you know where the dirtiest parts of your kitchen are? These should be the places you clean (or have cleaned by a professional) on a regular basis to stop germs spreading.
According to a study by US public health and safety organisation NSF International, the six dirtiest places in the kitchen are fridge drawers, sponges and cloths, the can opener, the blender, the kitchen counters and the sink! Here’s how to keep each area free from germs.
Fridge drawers
If you keep meat and vegetables in the ‘salad drawer’ section of your fridge, then it’s so important to keep them separate and to clean the drawers regularly. You can easily remove them and wash them with warm water and detergent on a sponge or cloth. Always be sure to dry the drawers thoroughly before putting them back, as bacteria like moisture!
Sponges and cloths
Most people use sponges and cloths to wash up dirty dishes and wipe surfaces, and then will just put them to the side to dry before they need them again. Typically, they’re not disinfected or sterilised before they’re used again. When you think about it, they provide the perfect environment for bacteria because they’re warm and damp. Simply wash the cloths in hot water and microwave the sponges for a couple of minutes to kill any bacteria.
Blender
There are so many parts to a blender that it’s easy to see how bits of food can get stuck and attract bacteria. Blenders are quite hard to clean thoroughly by hand (especially under the blades) so you might want to clean the component parts in the dishwasher, if you have one.
Can opener
A lot of people probably never clean their can opener unless they spill something on it. But NSF International found that it was the fourth dirtiest item in the kitchen! Be sure to wash it regularly, either in the dishwasher or in hot, soapy water, remembering to dry it thoroughly.
Kitchen counters
It’s not just well-washed food we put on our counters. It’s often also bags of shopping, produce that we haven’t washed yet, and perhaps even our keys and purse. All these items can contribute to the bacteria on the surfaces.
The sink
Our sinks are just as exposed to germs as our kitchen counters, as they may have leftover bits of food in them. A full clean once or twice a week is a must.
Here at Efficient Cleaning London, we can help you keep your home spotless and germ-free. Contact us today to find out more or to get a quotation for regular or one-off cleaning.
