Disinfect Kitchen Counters
Most of the time, cleaning the counters with soap and water to remove dirt and germs is good enough. You should complete this step before, during and after preparing food. However, you should also occasionally disinfect the kitchen counters to destroy infectious germs.
Look for cleaning products that specifically say “disinfectant” and feature an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number. Follow the directions on the bottle, which may suggest letting the product sit on the counters for a few minutes before wiping it away.
To prevent germs from hanging around on cleaning cloths:
- Use paper towels or disposable sanitizing wipes when appropriate.
- Thoroughly rinse, wring out and air dry reusable washcloths and sponges between uses.
- Place sponges in the microwave for 30 seconds or run them through the dishwasher at the end of the day to remove germs.
- Use each washcloth for no more than 24 hours before washing in hot water and bleach.
Prevent Infection from Kitchen Gadgets
Foodborne illnesses are a common way to become sick. Implementing proper kitchen cleaning techniques before, during and after food preparation can help prevent infections from contaminated food. Your goal is to keep the kitchen and all its gadgets as clean as possible at all times.