Keep Your Kitchen Germ-free

Credit: Flickr / Studio Gabe//Gabriel Li

Always wash, disinfect and dry your cutting board thoroughly between uses

What’s lurking in your kitchen? Prevent it from turning into a breeding ground for bacteria

Bacteria that can lead to illnesses lurk in many different places in the kitchen, including in reusable grocery bags (especially if they are used to carry raw meat) and on dish sponges, dishcloths, refrigerator shelves and cutting boards.

That’s why it’s important to thoroughly clean all of these areas.

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

• Reusable shopping bags should be washed frequently.
• Dishcloths should be changed and washed in hot water daily. Dish sponges should be replaced frequently. To disinfect a wet sponge, place it in the microwave and zap it on high for two minutes.
• Spills on refrigerator shelves (especially raw meat juices) should be cleaned immediately using soap and hot water.
• The cracks in cutting boards are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. To minimize this, choose a plastic cutting board over wood, and always wash, disinfect and dry the board thoroughly between uses.
• Clean all kitchen surfaces regularly using soap and hot water; always rinse the surfaces with fresh water and allow them to air dry. To sanitize frequently touched areas like refrigerator shelves, countertops, faucets, door knobs, cupboard handles and the kitchen phone, mix 1 tsp. (5 mL) of unscented bleach with 1 qt./1 L of water in a spray bottle. Vinegar can also be used to sanitize surfaces. Spray it onto the areas to be sanitized and leave it on for 10 minutes before wiping it dry.

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.