The Dirtiest Places in the Kitchen
For many families, the kitchen is the best space in the home. It’s here where the most exquisite dishes are prepared and invented, and the title, “The Heart of the Home” isn’t without reason. Do you agree? You may also be aware that the kitchen is one of the dirtiest places in your home
There’s always a liquid that spills, the floor is often sticky, raw foods fall on the countertop or shelves. And even though you clean your kitchen after cooking, you may forget to clean some hidden areas, and therefore, they become the dirtiest places in the kitchen. We’ll show you where some of these areas are.
Tactile handles, knobs and buttons
If you have teenagers at home, it’s common for them to open the refrigerator with dirty hands. A typical case is that they go in search of more sauce to add to their sandwich when they already have their hands covered in sauce.
It even happens to you! Maybe you’re preparing food and you forget an ingredient that you have in the fridge. No matter how hard you try to touch the handle with your clean fingers, you end up leaving a stain on the handle.
The same happens with other household appliances in the house, such as the microwave for example. To prevent these appliances from becoming a habitat for microbes and dirt, it’s advisable to clean them every day with a towel and disinfectant liquid.
Dirtiest places in the kitchen: sink drain
You may wonder how your sink can be one of the dirtiest places in the kitchen? Well, the truth is that despite running a lot of water, food remains tend to be trapped around the drain, (at the junction of the sink and counter) and the garbage disposal cap.
The faucet and handle are also other places where dirt accumulates. Try to sanitize this area every time you prepare a meal and wash the dishes. If you don’t have time, you should make it part of your routine to do it once a day.
Dishcloths and sponges
Have you noticed that food particles usually remain on the sponge? Although it leaves dishes, glasses, and other utensils clean, some types of bacteria tend to live on the sponge. Therefore, you should replace it from time to time or dispose of it as soon as it passes its useful life.
The same thing happens with kitchen towels. It’swith these that we clean up spillages and grime that fall on the countertop and floor. A good practice is to regularly wash these washcloths or kitchen towels in hot water. Washing them with soap and water alone will not be enough.
Dirtiest places in the kitchen: fridge
Again, we refer to the fridge! This time we’re going beyond the simple handle that constantly gets dirty. The truth is that dangerous bacteria can be harbored inside the refrigerator by the various foods that are stored in it. Despite being a cold place, you may not realize that it can be a habitat for bacteria.
From grabbing the milk jug with dirty hands, to the meat that makes fluids run while it thaws. When you get ready to clean your refrigerator, (most people do this on a monthly basis), don’t forget to clean the vent cover and each and every one of the containers that you keep in the refrigerator.
Chopping boards
The constant use of the chopping board creates cracks that bacteria take advantage of to lodge and live in. For this reason, it’s advisable to have two chopping boards; one for meat and one for vegetables. The reason? This minimizes the likelihood of creating cross-contamination.
As for the washing of chopping boards, they should be washed with warm soapy water. Another aspect that you should keep in mind is not to let them dry on their own. Instead, use a kitchen towel to dry them, since it’s widely believed that bacteria prefer warm and humid environments.
Reusable lunch boxes and bottles
Lunch boxes should be cleaned after each use. Even if there’s no spillage when storing food, there’s a possibility that bacteria will grow on it. Therefore, immediately after use, they should be washed with a cloth, warm water, and soap.
On the other hand, don’t trust reusable bottles without washing them after use. Despite only transporting water and not sharing them with anyone else, bacteria can accumulate in the nozzle. So, without exception, after each use, you should wash it with warm water, plenty of soap and thoroughly clean the bottle to reach the areas where the sponge can’t.
Coffee maker and blenders
It’s inevitable to spill a little coffee or juice by accident and, even if you wipe these appliances superficially, you should do a deep clean at least twice a week. Don’t forget about can openers and measuring cups too.
Dirtiest places in the kitchen: countertops
Make it a habit, before placing a food on top of it or starting to prepare food, wipe a clean cloth over your countertop with disinfectant. It’s one of the areas where we commonly place bags, electronic devices, and newspapers.
On a weekly basis, clean your countertops in-depth, making sure you reach all corners and prevent bacteria from being lodged. Remember, it’s the place where you prepare food that you and your family eat.
Pepper and salt shakers
How often do you reach for the salt or pepper shakers without washing your hands when you’re preparing a meal or eating? Remember to clean the surface with a damp cloth after preparing your dishes. And when you finish what the container contains and add more, wash it out completely and dry with a cloth.
Bacteria love your kitchen
Your kitchen is the place where food is found and where all family members come to look for a snack, so it’s understandable that it’s one of the dirtiest places. To prevent bacteria from growing, you must have a cleaning routine, especially for those areas that are often forgotten and are used very frequently.