The Best Way to Clean and Sanitize Your Kitchen

Alison Palmer • Feb 20, 2018

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that ain’t so.” Mark Twain Clean Your Kitchen the Right Way for a Healthy Home Cleaning a kitchen seems pretty straightforward, but there are many pitfalls to avoid. Did you know that there is a difference between disinfecting […] The post The Best Way to Clean and Sanitize Your Kitchen appeared first on Custom Maid.

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.

It’s what you know for sure that ain’t so.”

Mark Twain

Clean Your Kitchen the Right Way for a Healthy Home

Cleaning a kitchen seems pretty straightforward, but there are many pitfalls to avoid.

Did you know that there is a difference between disinfecting and sanitizing ?   According to Food Safety Magazine , a disinfectant destroys fungi and bacteria but not spores.  A sanitizer reduces contaminants to acceptable levels for food safety.

The key is to use the proper chemicals according to label instructions.

What Supplies and Equipment Do You Need to Clean Your Kitchen?

It will be easy to clean your kitchen if you start by assembling all you need to do the job.  Put all your supplies in some kind of cleaning caddy.

You will need several microfiber cloths, a vacuum, an extendable duster, and a non-abrasive scrubbing pad.

Your chemicals should include a neutral pH cleaner and a sanitizer.

Daily Maintenance is Important to a Healthy Kitchen

Your kitchen sees a lot of activity during the course of a typical day.  It starts with breakfast and making lunches for the kids to take to school.  This is followed quickly by lunch and after school snacks.  By that time, you will be starting dinner.

So, what tasks must be performed every day?

If you used the stovetop, wipe it off with a neutral cleaner.  All wiping can be done with a microfiber cloth.

If you prepared meat or poultry, then you must sanitize your cutting board and counter.  The key to sanitizing is to clean, rinse, sanitize and rinse.  Always use sanitizer on a clean surface.  Read the label directions.  In order to do its job, a sanitizer must have dwell time which means it must stay on the surface about ten minutes to have time to kill the germs.

Clean the kitchen table top and sweep up any food that may have fallen to the floor.

The last item is the kitchen sink.  Clean the sink and faucets and dry them to a shine.

Tasks to Add to Your Thorough Weekly Cleaning

Begin with the seating area.  It’s the easiest area to tackle.  Using a microfiber cloth and your neutral pH cleaner, wipe down the entire table including the legs.  Do the same with all the chairs.  Sanitize the table top and remember that you will need to leave the chemical on the surface for at least ten minutes before you rinse it off.  Don’t bother with the floor at this point.  It will be the final task.

Now go directly to the microwave, remove the glass turntable and put it in the sink to soak with dishwashing detergent and water.

If you have an older electric range, remove the heating coils and soak the burner pans and trim rings.  Spray down the stove top with your cleaner and let it sit.

Move on to the end of the counter area.  Your goal now is to move around the kitchen in order and to only go around one time so look up, forward and down so you don’t miss anything.

Now is the time to move each item from its place on the counter.  Slide the coffee maker out, clean where it was, wipe off the appliance and return it.

Don’t forget to wipe the backsplash as you move around the kitchen counter.

Continue working down the counter, moving each item.  When you come to the microwave, spray the inside with neutral cleaner and thoroughly wipe it out.

GREAT TIP!   If last night’s spaghetti sauce exploded all over the microwave walls, put a 8 ounce cup of water inside and heat it to boiling.  Let it stand for about five minutes.  The steam will loosen the yuck and you will be able to easily wipe it out.

Remember to replace the glass turntable which you cleaned in the sink.

Your kitchen cabinets deserve a good wipe down on your weekly cleaning.  With regular care, the surfaces should stay pretty clean.  Remember to look for fingerprints around handles, on edges of door fronts and where little toddler fingers or dog noses may have made a sticky mess down low.

When you come to your large appliances like refrigerator, dishwasher etc. you will use neutral cleaner and totally wipe down all exposed surfaces.  Don’t forget the top of the fridge!

 

By Susan Helms 23 Jun, 2022
Why and how to clean my washing machine Did you know that your washing machine can collect dirt and harbor bacteria and fungus? There is a thin film created by soap residue, minerals and chemicals from detergent. This can cause a clog in the inner workings of your machine, your water won't be as hot and the film also traps odors. The tiny crevices in the drum and gaskets can collect mildew and bacteria from your clothes. They can also harbor fungus. If you have a top loader here are some steps to follow when cleaning : Wipe interior seals around the door with all purpose cleaner Remove debris around filter or drain Use 1 cup of white vinegar with 1/2 cup baking soda then run a cycle on heat If you have a front loader here are some tips to follow when cleaning: Have a small bowl or towel ready to catch any excess water Remove the filter from the small door on the front panel of the machine Shake over trash can and rinse out. Use 1/2 cup baking soda and 3 cups white vinegar to scrub inside the drum and rubber gaskets You can use washing machine cleaner which can be purchased on line if you prefer Remove the fluids dispenser to clean each tray with disinfecting wipes Wipe out the area inside where the dispenser is located with the wipes If you have a "clean cycle" run the cycle, otherwise run the largest load setting on hot We hope this has been a quick and helpful guide for cleaning your washing machine . Remember, your washer should always smell fresh not like mildew.
By admin 06 Aug, 2020
Summer may be a time when your home needs some extra cleaning. Read about a few of the reasons why summer is a good time for professional help.
By admin 10 Jul, 2020
Do you wonder if you use the right products to clean and maintain your floor? Discover some tips on caring for different types of floors in your home.
By Admin 03 Jun, 2020
Some of the benefits of a cleaning service are hidden for one reason or another. Learn more about some of the lesser known advantages of cleaning services.
By Admin 04 May, 2020
Is your home clean? Even though it may seem neat, tidy, and well-organized, look at the questions to ask before you assume your home is at its cleanest.
By Admin 14 Apr, 2020
If you keep your home organized, your cleaning personnel can more easily do their jobs. Try out these tips for keeping your home office organized.
By Susan Helms 26 Dec, 2018
As a homeowner, have you ever asked yourself… What exactly should be cleaned in my bathroom… and when? Since we have been cleaning homes for over 33 years, we have often been asked about the quickest and most effective to clean certain areas of a home. So… We have created a helpful checklist: What you […] The post Checklist: What You Should Clean In Your Bathroom And When appeared first on Custom Maid.
By Susan Helms 12 Dec, 2018
As a homeowner, have you ever asked yourself… What exactly should be cleaned in my kitchen… and when? After cleaning homes for over 4 decades now, we’ve often been asked these same questions. So… We’ve put together a handy, yet descriptive kitchen cleaning checklist to help you out. What You Should Clean In Your Kitchen Every […] The post Checklist: What You Should Clean in Your Kitchen (and When) appeared first on Custom Maid.
By Susan Helms 22 Oct, 2018
More often than not the first question we are asked is “How much will it cost to have my home cleaned?”  There really is no set answer however I will try to give you some guidelines… a rough estimate so to speak.  When determining  your actual rate though, here are some of the many factors […] The post How Much Does Professional House Cleaning Cost? appeared first on Custom Maid.
By Alison Palmer 08 Oct, 2018
October is designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month but breast health is a year round concern. Any time is the right time for women to take stock and get into the routine of performing a breast self exam. The American Cancer Society recommends that all women begin monthly breast self exams by age 20 & should be done […] The post A Breast Self Exam is an Important Factor of Women’s Health appeared first on Custom Maid.
Show More
Share by: