Keeping your kitchen
healthy all year round
dishwashing detergent and water, then apply
the 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.
ACCORDING TO THE American Society for
Microbiology, about 36 percent of food-borne
illness in the home results from cross contamination. That means cutting boards, counters
or utensils are not properly disinfected or
sanitized before they are used to prepare foods
that are eaten raw, such as fruits or vegetables.
Cleaning with soap and water isn’t enough.
Soap and water remove some germs from
surfaces, but they can’t kill those germs. In
fact, they may spread them around. 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.
Counters, tabletops and highchairs
After each use, spray a disinfecting cleaner
on surfaces until thoroughly wet.
Let stand for 30 seconds, then rinse or
wipe clean. For nonporous countertop surfaces, use a disinfecting wipe for one-step
cleaning and disinfecting.
Refrigerators, freezers, plastic
cutting boards, stainless steel
utensils, dishes, glassware,
counters, pots and pans
Wash or rinse with detergent and water,
then soak in a solution of 1 tablespoon of
bleach per gallon of water. Let stand two
minutes, then air-dry. (Do not use on steel, aluminum, silver or chipped enamel items.)
PHOTODISC
Ongoing maintenance
Now that your kitchen is spot-on perfect,
here are some great techniques for quick
cleanups and little touch-ups.
A multipurpose spray cleaner for hard
surfaces can be great for spot-cleaning
floors, walls and ceilings. Always have a
bottle handy.
Replace germy sponges with a container of
disinfecting wipes. Pre-moistened and easy
to use anywhere and anytime, wipes can
kill germs that can make your family sick.
(Use as directed.)
A pen with gel bleach will help you to
stay on top of grout. The sooner you treat
a stain, the faster it will come out.
These kitchen-sanitizing routines might
take a little more effort, but just remember
that good healthy food always comes from a
good healthy kitchen. C
More in archives
This story came from the Costco
Household Almanac. For more helpful hints,
go to Costco.com and enter “connection.”
At Online Edition, search “almanac.”
Wooden cutting boards
Use approximately 3 tablespoons of
bleach per gallon of water to create a sanitizing solution. Wash, wipe or rinse items with
The Costco Connection
Costco warehouses carry a variety of
supplies for cleaning your kitchen.
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