8 Kitchen Hygiene Tips for a Happy, Healthy Home
The kitchen is the centre of the home, where families and friends gather together to share food, memories, stories and also – germs.
Although microorganisms cannot reproduce on surfaces, they can remain in them. To avoid the spread of germs, Maite Pelay, a microbiologist and technical spokesperson for the Silestone Institute, tells us eight ways to keep our kitchen safe and clean:
- Wash your hands with warm soapy water, scrubbing vigorously for at least 20 seconds ensuring to scrub your fingers, back of hands and wrists. Wipe your hands dry with a clean cloth or single-use paper towel
- Clean countertops and surfaces frequently with a scouring pad and a household cleaner or with soap and water. Allow the cleaner to sit for a few minutes and then rinse and dry the area with a clean cloth
- Always keep common spaces clean including knobs on the doors and cabinets, light switches, and fridge handles
- Cook food at a high temperature (above 70 degrees) and keep it protected to avoid contamination
- If food is not going to be consumed immediately, refrigerate it or keep it warm (above 65 degrees)
- Clean dishes and kitchenware, preferably in the dishwasher at a maximum temperature
- Change and wash kitchen towels frequently in each cooking session and leave items like scouring pads and cloths to soak in 10% bleach for five minutes
- Once you are finished cooking, do an overall clean of the kitchen and the floors and ensure ventilation of the entire area