The kitchen is a common meeting place for family members. When a table is also situated inside it to grab snacks or eat as a family, then that’s, even more, the case.
With multiple occupants and plenty of hands-on countertops, they pick up germs and bacteria throughout the day. This can make food preparation problematic, even when it’s done safely.
Color-coded chopping boards and using multiple knives keep different foods away from each other to avoid cross-contamination. However, when countertops aren’t kept clean enough, germs can still get into your food.
Remove Spills Quickly
Prevention is better than a cure. In medicine this is true, but so is it true for kitchen countertops too.
Food quickly goes off, including breadcrumbs and other tiny food particles. Then bacteria will develop. Any spills, no matter how small, can turn into bacteria waiting to happen. Then it multiplies! While a kitchen towel to wipe it down removes some of it, the surface will still have microscopic remnants.
And that’s all it takes…
Wipe down spills as soon as they happen. They’re far easier to clean that way than leaving them until later.
Using Everyday Supplies to Disinfect Kitchen Countertops
It is up to you whether you choose to use vinegar, some household bleach, or a specialized solution from the store.
Before cleaning the countertops by disinfecting them, it’s best to go over them with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Obvious to spot dried sauces, breadcrumbs, and other bits of food can be swept up. You won’t get everything – dried food won’t completely lift this way – but it’s a start and leads to a cleaner, simpler cleaning process in the next stage.
“Note: If you’re going to use something stronger like bleach, then test it in a part of the countertop that cannot be seen. This might be the back corner or under a small kitchen appliance that never moves from that spot.
If it stains or begins to remove the protective seal from the countertop, you know it’s too harsh for it. This is far better than wiping the entire countertop with a prepared solution and bitterly regretting it later! We cannot stress this enough.”
Using Bleach to Disinfect Countertops
Use rubber gloves to protect your fingers or call the Toronto Cleaning experts. You’ll thank us later.
Here are the steps to take:
Mix up a small half cup of bleach blended into a gallon of water.
Clean the countertops of any removable kitchen appliances. Etc.
Wipe the countertops down.
Allow ten minutes for the bleach to work its magic.
Use a clean cloth that’s been dampened to wipe the entire countertop.
Wait until the countertop is 100% dry, then reinstall the smaller kitchen appliances.
Note: If you’re not happy to use bleach, then a disinfecting spray cleaner or a distilled white vinegar solution mixed with water is adequate too. Marble and granite should not be cleaned using bleach.
Using White Vinegar or a Disinfecting Spray to Clean the Countertops
Either a white vinegar solution mixed with water, or a disinfecting household spray from the store will also work. They’re both less harsh than bleach.
You can clean the touchpoint areas in the kitchen and elsewhere, countertops, cooking stoves, and tables like this.
Here are the steps to take:
Use the disinfecting spray or make a spray solution by mixing a little vinegar with a large amount of water. Do not under-dilute the vinegar.
Wipe down the countertop surface
Spray the cleaning solution onto the countertops
Give it 10 minutes to work
Wipe the countertop down with a dry, clean non-abrasive cloth
Open the windows to let the countertop dry faster and to release any lingering vinegar smell
Note: Marble and granite won’t play nicely with vinegar. Use a different cleaning solution for these higher-end countertops.
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