Cutting Down on Germs in the Kitchen

The kitchen can be a breeding ground for germs. There are several culprits in the kitchen that are known to spread germs. The following tips will help you cut down on germs:
Wipe down surface with a disinfectant: Every surface in your kitchen is used for something. A counter for preparing foods, a stove top for cooking them, the cabinets for storing things, the table for eating, etc. These surfaces are used frequently, and thus should be sanitized regularly in order to cut down on germs. For the surfaces like the counters, you will want to wipe them down and disinfect with a mild soap after each use, especially if used to prepare poultry, meat, or fish of any kind.

Clean your microwave and stove regularly. These are areas used to cook food, and are often warm, and even moist at times. So, they may lead to germs growing and spreading. Anytime an item spills, leaks, splatters, or boils over be sure to wipe it up as soon as it happens, and then use a sanitizer as often as you can. Once a week would be sufficient.

Clean out fridge monthly: Often leftovers, old bottles of food, drips, leaks, and spills happen in the fridge. Foods get shoved to the back and ignored, and they rot and go bad. Bottle drip, seals leak, etc. Meat juices can be left on a shelf, or salad oils dripped. Take the time once a month to remove everything from your fridge, throwing out anything you see that is expired, or leftover and in your fridge too long. Then, wash down all the refrigerator's inside surfaces, and the outer handle with a disinfectant so as not to cross contaminate anything.

Clean your kitchen daily. Germs grow in dark, moist, places, and the kitchen is full of such places, so make sure you take the time to do a general cleanup of the kitchen. Make a rule to not go to bed without first loading and running your dishwasher and wiping down your countertops.

Clean your sinks weekly. Your sink is going to be used to clean dishes, hands, and even food, so making sure that you have a sanitary, germ free sink is critical to cutting down on germs in the kitchen. Using a cleaner that disinfects while it cleans will help cut down on germs.

In addition, make sure that as you cut down on the germs in your kitchen, that you focus on the areas you spend time. For example, if you have a bar, and barstools, you may want to take the time to wash them down daily so that they do not become a place to spread germs. Your kitchen should be a great place to spend time, and not a place where you should have to worry about spreading germs and making people sick.

Beverly Frank is mom to two young kids and a writer. Visit http://www.surfnetparents.com for more parenting advice and ideas.
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