Would you know that your kitchen could conceal more germs than your bathroom? Is there any thought about what the common sources of bacteria in your home are? The kitchen may seem clean from the surface, but the dirtiest places often lie in areas of our neglect. From the poor sponge by the sink to such oftentimes touched areas as the fridge handle, germs like to hide in places we seldom suspect. These hidden bacteria can lead to food poisoning, cross-contamination, and health risks: this is what makes kitchen cleanliness even more crucial.
This blog will discover the top seven germs in your kitchen that can actually be threatening your health. Not to worry; we won’t only talk about the problems! You are also going to get some practical and easy tips given by Bond Cleaning Sunshine Coast to keep these nasty spaces neat and safe. Are you all set to know the lurking vermin in your kitchen? Let’s go!
1. Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths
That little sponge in your sink may harbour more bacteria than your toilet seat! All because sponges are constantly wet and full of food particles makes a perfect home for harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Change sponges once every one or two weeks, disinfecting them by putting them in the microwave for a minute or soaking them in bleach. Use washable reusable dishcloths instead, washing them with hot water after every use.
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2. Unclean Kitchen Sink
Most people tend to wipe the kitchen countertops, but the kitchen sink is often left unattended and forgotten. It can be a placement for food scraps, remnants of soap, and raw ingredients where most bacteria and mould flourish in that warm haunting place.
Keep scrubbing your sink every day with warm soapy water, then let it be disinfected once every week with some baking soda and white vinegar. Lastly, do not leave drains and garbage disposals unattended as these home parts are most notorious for harboring lots of germs. Lastly, an uninfected sink is important for a deep clean, such as when you prepare for a budget Bond Cleaning Perth. Lack of sink sanitation will cause deductions in the rental agreement.
3. Cutting Boards
Wooden boards are another secret harbour for bacteria. They can trap juices from raw meat or vegetables in their grooves, creating chances for cross-contamination and increased chances of foodborne illness.
So that they remain safe, always use separate boards for meat and produce. A thorough wash with hot, soapy water after each use has to be performed and disinfected with a diluted bleach solution. Boards should be replaced once they get severely scored or cracked.
4. Refrigerator Handles
The refrigerator preserves food, but surprisingly, the handles and interiors get filthy. These areas would witness mould and bacteria growth as they are frequently touched with dirty hands or food is sometimes spilt. Mould and fungi would thrive pretty well in drawers that store meat and vegetables.
To prevent any chances of germs, disinfect the handles and high-touch areas regularly. Remove expired food and every few weeks, wash the shelves and other compartments with warm, soapy water. When tackling a more in-depth clean, like a whole Bond Cleaning Perth job, remember to give your fridge a thorough defrost and disinfection.
5. Kitchen Towels
Throughout the day, hand-wet-kitchen towels serve different purposes: from drying and mopping up spills to drying dirty dishes. Thus, these household towels become places where microorganisms could grow. They can even become a paradise for germs when they are damp.
Change towels every day and launder those towels in hot water to keep them free from dirt. Do not use the same towel for different purposes. Have separate towels so that you have individual ones for hands, dishes, and washing purposes to avoid the use of cross-contaminated towels.
6. Coffee Machines and Small Devices
Most appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, and toasters do not suffice for overlooking them during the routine cleaning activity. An instance in point is the coffee-making appliances that have the potential for accumulating bacteria and moulds in their water tank and the carafe if not properly cleaned. Very similar, too, are the blenders and food processors which can hide a lot of food residue in small niches.
Wash all removable parts very well after every use. A coffee maker needs to be descaled every few weeks with a vinegar solution to keep it clean and in good condition.
7. The Stove Knobs and Light Switches
When it comes to general cleaning, doorknobs and slicer handles, as well as light switches, and all other contact surfaces are the places first overlooked. They easily harbour bacteria from unwashed hands and raw food cross-contamination.
It is better to keep these places by cleaning them once a week with disinfectant wipes or spray to fight against hidden germs. For an ultra-detailed cleaning as offered by professional Bond Cleaning Sunshine Coast services, consider taking off the knobs from the stove and soaking them in warm, soapy water, then scrubbing them clean.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning and disinfecting your kitchen can never merely be confined to cleaning surfaces alone. You would find most unsuspected sites, sinks, and handles of appliances as all potential habitats for harmful bacteria, capable of causing all kinds of ill health. Keeping a consistent cleaning regimen aside from the use of disinfectants, together with tossing old tools, tends to cut down on its really great germ numbers and makes your kitchen a healthier place for food preparation. Last and perhaps most, these not-so-easily-visible germ-infested areas cannot be neglected for a truly clean and healthy kitchen.
