Check your cleaning supplies
The right tools make any job easier, and spring-cleaning your kitchen is
no exception. Make sure your cleaning caddy includes a multipurpose cleaner
that is effective on hard surfaces such as your stove, sink, countertops and
backsplash. (It will come in handy later for quick cleanups, too!) By checking
your supplies ahead of time, you can avoid making trips to the store in the
middle of cleaning. (Nothing kills momentum like having to run out to pick
up more bleach.) Have whatever you need on hand and you’re good to go.
Set the mood for good, cleaning fun
Do you have favorite tunes that just won’t let you sit still? That’s perfect
cleaning music! Play your “can’t stop moving” music and get energized. It
will make cleaning more fun and make the time fly by. Your TV might work
as good background noise, but if it proves to be a distraction, turn it off.
Dress for success
Cleaning can be fun, but you’re not going to a party. Wear comfortable
loose clothing that allows a wide range of movement—you’re going to be
reaching and stretching to get into tight places. And make sure that anything
you wear is something that you don’t mind getting stained or dirty. Cleaning
can be a very messy job, so this is no time for fashion—it’s time for function.
Now you’re ready to go. You’ve got your list. You’ve got your supplies.
You’ve got your tunes. You’re looking like someone who’s going to do some
serious cleaning. So what are you waiting for? Get shining. A
Keeping your kitchen healthy all year round
It’s a scary fact, but, according to the Counters, tabletops and highchairs Refrigerators, freezers, plastic cutting
American Society for Microbiology, about 36 After each use, spray a disinfecting boards, stainless utensils, dishes,
percent of food-borne illness in the home cleaner on surfaces until thoroughly wet. glassware, counters, pots and pans*
results from cross contamination. That Let stand for 30 seconds, then rinse or wipe Wash or rinse with detergent and water,
means cutting boards, counters or utensils clean. For nonporous countertop surfaces, then soak in a solution using 1 tablespoon
are not properly disinfected or sanitized use a disinfecting wipe for one-step clean- of bleach per gallon of water. Let stand two
before they are used to prepare foods that ing and disinfecting. minutes, then air-dry.
are eaten raw, such as fruits or vegetables.
Cleaning with soap and water isn’t good
enough. Soap and water remove some germs
from surfaces, but they can’t kill those germs.
In fact, they may spread them around. Even
though a surface looks clean, that doesn’t
mean it’s clean from a health standpoint.
Only a disinfectant can kill a broad spectrum of harmful bacteria and viruses.
The good news is that you can help kill
nasty bacteria that can cause food-borne
illness by following simple sanitizing and
disinfecting routines when preparing your
family’s meals.
Wooden cutting boards
Use approximately 3 tablespoons of
bleach per gallon of water to create a sanitizing solution. Wash, wipe or rinse items
with dishwashing detergent and water, then
apply solution. Let stand two minutes, then
rinse all surfaces with a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Do not
let soak overnight.
Always read and follow precautions
and usage directions before using cleaning
products. Always store cleaning products
out of reach of children.
These kitchen sanitizing routines might
take a little more effort, but your family’s
health is worth it. Just remember that good
healthy food always comes from a good
healthy kitchen.
* Do not use on steel, aluminum, silver or
chipped enamel items.
