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6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean

Clean T.O: 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean
September 22, 2017

Clean T.O: 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean

 

If you’re not in the habit of cleaning your kitchen regularly yet, don’t worry. Not everyone is a cleaning person, and that’s ok. However, you’re about to learn all the slimy secrets of your kitchen! Okay, they’re not secrets- but you probably haven’t thought about them. We all know about cleaning our electronics and hiring regular home cleaning services,  but have you been giving your kitchen the attention it needs? Despite the copious amounts of dishwashing and anti-bacterial soaps in the vicinity, your kitchen isn’t nearly as clean as you think.

 

Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of cutting board
Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of cutting board

 

In fact, your kitchen is actually one of the largest breeding grounds for germs in your entire home! Studies have reported that foodborne illness can occur just as often in the home as it can at restaurants! Why? Germs love dark, wet, warm places. Can you imagine at least two places like that in your kitchen? It’s important to note that not all of these microorganisms are harmful. At the end of the day, even  if you’re not a ‘cleaning person’, creating a good cleaning regimen for your kitchen will put your mind at ease every time you’re washing up.

 

1.    The Kitchen Sink

 

Unfortunately, the sink is one of the germiest places in your kitchen. It makes sense when you think about it! A never-ending appliance, your  sink is where all dishes, cups, cutlery (and their particles) pass through, day in and day out. Ultimately, food waste, bacteria and mold alike end up lingering in your sink and attaching themselves to your sponges and cloths.

 

Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of washing cutlery
Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of washing cutlery

 

Because the sink area is inclined to dish soap, we assume the spare suds are sufficient to cleaning the sink and sponge itself. This is a myth, and one that might cost you your health! To clean your sink, scrub the sides and bottom with a disinfectant cleaner once or twice a week. In addition, you can pour 1 tablespoon of bleach mixed with one quart of water down the drain. Sink strainers are recommended to go through a dishwasher once a week. Check out this article a  more green cleaning technique.

 

2.   The Sponge

 

Apparently, sponges are the most germ-ridden item in your home, with over 321 million microorganisms per gram! In fact, 75% of sponges and rags tested in a study contained at least one form of bacteria, ranging for salmonella to E. coli. In fact, some also tested for yeast, mold, and the bacteria that causes staph infection.

 

Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of sponge
Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of sponge

 

However, it’s a sponge’s job to become wet, and subsequently remain damp. Unfortunately, this creates the ideal environment for bacteria growth, making it easily one of the germiest items in your home. Moving forward, rinse your sponge with hot water after each use and leave it in a ventilated soap dish to air out. Reader’s Digest recommends that at the end of each day, or every two days, let your sponge sit in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. This trick will zap the bacteria right out! Remember, don’t leave cloths in moist areas and instead hang them on hooks or stove handles, and launder when necessary.

 

3.   The Counter Tops

 

Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of counter top
Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of counter top

 

Though countertops aren’t the worst offenders in the kitchen, they still have the potential for bacteria to breed. Are you surprised? Meat, produce and a whole whack of other foods is probably being prepared there everyday! Furthermore, if you own a cat, your counters are even more susceptible to germs! Sorry, but wiping the counter top with a paper towel isn’t going to cut it. Instead, use a disinfectant to clean regularly. We suggest cleaning with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaking. If you don’t have time for all that, at the very least remember to wipe down your work area with hot, soapy water!

 

4.   The Vegetable Drawer

 

That’s right, your veggie drawer is a danger zone! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that places storing fresh produce have the potential for yuck. Not cleaning creates the perfect scenario for foodborne illness and bacteria, including salmonella, listeria, yeast and mold spores. Does this count as green cleaning?

 

Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of fridge
Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of fridge

 

So, whether you’ve been cleaning out your drawer or not, you should start thinking about doing every week or two. The NSF told ABC that the best way to clean a veggie drawer is to simply remove all contents and wash the interior with warm, soapy water. For quick dry and deodorization, sprinkle some baking soda on and let it soak in. Check out this article for more tips on how to clean your veggie drawer!

 

5.   The Stove Knobs

 

Little did you know, your stove knobs could be dirtier than your toilet seat! You may not realize it, but your stove knobs get touched enough times for a significant amount of bacteria to build up! Perhaps you clean your stovetop, but do you clean the knobs?

 

Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of stove
Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of stove

 

Lucking, it’s knobs are really easy if you are able to easily remove and re-attach the knobs. Once detached, all you have to do is clean the knobs in hot, soapy water once a week! However, make sure you allow them to dry out before reinstallation. For more guidance, check out this Youtube video for an example of how to clean your knobs.

 

6.    The Can-Opener

 

You may not know it, but you should really start cleaning your can opener. It’s gross, but invisible food particles love to stick there, creating a hotbeds of activity perfect for yeast, mold, E. coli and salmonella to grow.

 

Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of can opener
Clean T.O 6 Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Clean picture of can opener

 

When it comes to the clean, you have two options. For an active approach, douse a toothbrush in vinegar, and scrub away! For a more passive approach, the Huffington Post suggests soaking the entire can-opener in a bowl of vinegar for a few hours. At the end of the day, either way works!

 

Have you heard enough? However overwhelming, it’s important that your kitchen gets cleaned, at least once a week. However, you don’t always have time to sit there and clean your can openers, so check out this amazing article on how to clean your kitchen in 15 minutes! If you’re looking for a more intense clean, check out Maid4Condos cleaning services to see if anything catches your eye!

 

 

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This post was brought to you by Maid4Condos, a top-rated residential cleaning service dedicated to the people of Toronto. Maid4Condos has been a committed partner to the Toronto cleaning and construction scene for years, and continues to provide exceptional cleaning services to clients. Get a FREE quote & book your cleaning today or follow this link to learn more of what we’re all about!

 

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