Kitchen

Cleaning Tips

Appliances: Use sanitizing wipes to clean up kitchen surfaces, or use paper towels along with antibacterial kitchen cleaner. Then, throw the germs away!

Periodically disinfect kitchen countertops using a kitchen disinfecting product, such as an antibacterial kitchen cleaner and/or sanitizing wipes. Follow label directions carefully. Disinfect countertops each time they have come in contact with raw meats, poultry or fish.

Clean your refrigerator regularly. Wipe up spills immediately; and clean inside walls and shelves with hot water and a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, then rinse. Use sanitizing wipes to clean up spills. Remember to clean and disinfect refrigerator door gaskets, drawers and drip pans regularly; check the owner's manual for advice on cleaning.

Sinks, drains, and tile backsplashes: Clean and disinfect regularly. Clean up spills immediately, and disinfect these surfaces.

Keep your cabinets clean:

• Keep food in air-tight containers to prevent germs and pests from getting into food. Put new supplies at the back and bring older items to the front of the cabinet to remind you to use them first.
• Clean up spilled food right away. Regularly remove food debris from your cupboards and clean surfaces thoroughly.

Regularly disinfect any area that is often touched with hands, such as the fridge door, handles, faucets and doorknobs

Use a trashcan with a lid. Clean and disinfect it regularly. Keeping trash covered will also help limit the possibility of insect or rodent infestation.

Repair plumbing leaks right away. This not only prevents mold/mildew from growing under the sink; it also removes a temptation for cockroaches.

Reduce moisture to prevent mold and mildew. Use an exhaust fan to remove water vapor when cooking.

Change hand towels and tea cloths regularly, and do not use cloth towels to dry your hands; instead, use paper towels to throw germs away. Cleaning with dirty cleaning cloths can spread germs, so if you are using cloth towels, be sure decontaminate them by laundering them in hot water.

Never allow pets onto kitchen surfaces or near your food.

Remove food debris from tables and high chairs, and then disinfect them before meals.

If possible, replace kitchen carpets with hard surface flooring, such as tile, linoleum, or laminates. These are more hygienic because they are easier to clean and do not collect debris in the same way that carpets can. Use an all purpose disinfectant cleaner to help clean and disinfect hard flooring; if your floors are wood, use a product that is safe on wood surfaces.