how to disinfect countertops

You’ve probably read that your kitchen can be the dirtiest room in your house. That shouldn’t be a big surprise. You use it for food preparation, where there is food, there are bacteria. This article will give you ideas on how to disinfect countertops.

Food should not rot to become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Items placed in the refrigerator that are left at room temperature for more than two hours can become a feast for the invaders that are visible and look and smell good.

The same goes for those May stains left on your counter. But there is cause for concern.

More than 76 million food-related illnesses are reported in the United States each year. It’s from all the reasons, but it’s still a big number.

ideas on how to disinfect countertops

Keeping the kitchen clean and handling food carefully are two ways to keep your family safe. The area of ​​your kitchen that goes into cooking should receive the most attention.

Surfaces like your kitchen counter and sink should be washed every time you use them.

In the following pages, we will look at five ways to keep your desk clean and free of harmful bacteria.

1: Clean up spills immediately

That nagging noise that creeps across your wake may seem harmless, but the longer it lasts, the more dangerous it can be.

A quick swipe on a paper towel won’t do the job if you wait a while to do the honor.

Even hot water and soap won’t do the trick completely, although it will help.

The secret to controlling bacteria is to clean up spills as soon as they occur. In this way, bacteria will not establish themselves in the first place.

There is a big difference between cleaning and surface cleaning.

Cleaning removes dirt, grime, grease and some bacteria.

Disinfection kills bacteria on contact.

If you’re letting leftover food linger on your countertop, you’re likely harboring more bacteria than a simple cleaning can remove.

Clean up spills right away, and you’ll always have less disinfectant to deal with.

If you’ve ever had ants in your kitchen, you know the angle.

Remove the scouts and you won’t have an ant attack.

Rinse, rinse, repeat
It is important to clean your table before preparing food, but it is also important to wash your hands regularly when preparing food.

Lather in the pot for 20 seconds – about the time it takes to read the song “Happy Birthday” twice.

Do this before preparing food, when working with meat products, and after cooking.

2: Remove your stage

Your stage is a breeding ground for bacteria. Don’t let it fall.

You can use a dishcloth, paper towel or sponge to clean your scale. If your system reuses the same cleaning aids over and over again, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria, mold and yeasts.

Sponges have the worst reputation, but kitchen towels come second.

You don’t have to stop using these helpful resources that are often expensive. Just be sure to wash them after each use, dry them thoroughly between uses, and replace them every two weeks.

The best option for washing sponges is to put them in the microwave. Microwave Sponge kills 99.9% of bacteria.

Just bring the stage and turn it on for two and a half minutes.

The stage will be hot, so let it cool for a few minutes before using.

Make it a habit to put the dishcloths in the dishwasher or washing machine every time you clean.

You can also clean sponges and dishcloths with disinfectant or bleach which we’ll get to in a second.

3: Have hand sanitizer

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using warm, soapy water for cleaning tables and other kitchen surfaces before preparing food.

However, this is cleaning and not disinfection. Germs like salmonella, E. coli, and staph can survive on surfaces for hours or even days, and sometimes, disinfecting things is a better option than cleaning them.

To deal with hazardous activities such as cleaning meat preparation areas, the CDC recommends using disinfectants designed for use on countertops or a weak bleach solution that you can prepare yourself.

Bleach is a traditional and practical method for cleaning your kitchen surfaces.

Here is a quick primer for cleaning and bleaching:

• clean countertops with warm water and soap,
• then take a solution of 1/4 cup household bleach (5-6%) and 2 1/4 cups of water.
• Allow the treated material to air dry.
• If you decide to use this prepared vaccine, read and follow the instructions carefully.
• Many require a clean water rinse to remove chemical residues after they are applied to the food preparation area.

Special Note: Pesticides should not be sprayed on or near food.

4: Keep counters and other kitchen areas dry

Bacteria, mold and fungi like to grow in liquid environments.

Keeping your countertops dry will keep them from attracting germs that can make your family sick.

Clean your work surfaces regularly, but be careful to wipe them with a clean cloth after washing with soap and water.

Between cleanings, wipe down areas on your counter and around your sink where steam settles or condensation collects.

5: Consider organic systems

For some people, the idea of ​​using harsh chemicals to clean the kitchen doesn’t make sense.

Chemicals can be toxic if used improperly.

They can also be bad for the environment.

They are also very expensive. In the case of bleaching, although it may be considered natural, it is still a strong chemical.

When combined with ammonia (accidentally, of course), bleach produces a poisonous gas.

In fact, only dust from undiluted bleach can cause respiratory problems. That doesn’t take into account the damage bleach can do to clothes, carpets, and other fabrics.

If you’d like to try a sanitizer that’s a little more planet- and friendlier than bleach (or most sanitizer products on the market), Susan Sumner, author of Green Housekeeping, has suggestions.

Use a mixture of alcohol/vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to clean your counters and other kitchen surfaces.

On their own, these natural ingredients are good at killing germs.

Together they work very hard. This is a two-part process:

• Add the contents of a bottle of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent strength) to the darkening bottle.
• Light will destroy the peroxide, so the container should be dark.
• Fill a second spray bottle with white wine.
  Wash your room with soap and water as you normally would.
• Now sprinkle them with alcohol and immediately follow the peroxide.
  That’s it.

You don’t even need to wash.

The smell of alcohol will disappear on its own within a few minutes.

However, do not mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle.

The alcohol will convert the peroxide to pure water before it has a chance to do its job.

Used separately, this powerful duo will remove viruses and leave your counter clean, fresh and ready for anything.