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You'll be grinning just like this once your countertops are free of bacteria.
Wavebreak Media/ThinkstockKey Points to Remember
- For an eco-friendly disinfecting option, combine vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, spraying them separately onto your countertops to eliminate germs without using harsh chemicals.
- Make sure to store hydrogen peroxide in a dark spray bottle to preserve its potency, as light exposure diminishes its effectiveness.
- This nontoxic cleaning method doesn't require rinsing, and the vinegar scent fades quickly, leaving surfaces both sanitized and safe for use.
It’s likely that you've heard the kitchen is one of the dirtiest rooms in your house. Not exactly shocking, considering it’s where you prepare food. And wherever food is, bacteria is likely to follow. You don’t need spoiled food to attract bacteria either—items left out of the fridge for over two hours can become a haven for microscopic pests, even if they appear and smell perfectly fine. The same applies to that tiny bit of mayo left on your countertop.
However, there is plenty to worry about. Every year, over 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses are reported in the U.S. This statistic covers all causes, but it's still a staggering number. Keeping your kitchen clean and handling food with care are essential steps to protect your family. Areas in your kitchen that directly contact food, such as your countertops and sink, require the most attention. These should be cleaned every time you use them. In the following pages, we’ll explore five ways to keep your countertops pristine and free from harmful bacteria.
5: Wipe Up Spills Immediately
That stray gravy stain on your counter might seem harmless, but the longer it sits, the more dangerous it becomes. A quick paper towel wipe won't do the trick if you wait too long. Even warm water and soap won’t fully remove it, although it helps. The key to preventing bacteria from thriving is to clean up spills right away. This way, bacteria won't have the chance to take hold.
Cleaning and disinfecting are two different tasks. Cleaning removes dirt, grease, grime, and some bacteria, while disinfecting kills bacteria on contact. If food residue sits on your counter for too long, you’re likely to have more bacteria than a quick wipe can handle. Avoid that by cleaning up spills immediately, reducing the need for extensive disinfecting later. If you’ve ever had ants in your kitchen, you understand the concept: deal with the scouts, and you won’t face a full-blown invasion.
Cleaning your countertops is important before and after food preparation, but don’t forget about washing your hands throughout the process. Scrub for 20 seconds—the same amount of time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Wash your hands before starting to cook, after handling raw meat, and once you've finished preparing your food.
4: Sanitize Your Sponges
Your sponge is a hotspot for bacteria. Don’t let it become a breeding ground.You might use a dishcloth, paper towel, or sponge to clean your countertops. But if you reuse the same cleaning tools repeatedly, they can turn into incubators for bacteria, mold, and yeast. Sponges top the list of offenders, but dish rags aren’t far behind.
There’s no need to stop using these practical and often inexpensive tools. Just make sure to clean them thoroughly after each use, dry them properly between uses, and replace them every couple of weeks. To sanitize your sponges, pop them in the microwave. Heating sponges for two and a half minutes kills 99.9% of bacteria. Be sure to wet the sponge before microwaving it, and let it cool down before you handle it. Regularly toss dish rags in the dishwasher or washing machine after each use. You can also disinfect sponges and rags with a bleach solution or disinfectant, which we’ll discuss next.
3: Keep Cleaning Tools Close
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using warm, soapy water to clean countertops and other kitchen surfaces both before and after preparing food. While this is an effective cleaning method, it doesn’t disinfect. Harmful germs like salmonella, E. coli, and staphylococcus can linger on surfaces for hours or even days. In some cases, disinfecting is a better option. To disinfect areas where raw meat has been handled, the CDC suggests using a disinfectant made for countertops or a diluted bleach solution that you can prepare yourself.
Bleach is a tried-and-true, cost-effective solution for disinfecting kitchen surfaces. Here’s a quick guide on using bleach for disinfecting: First, clean your countertops with warm, soapy water. Then, go over them again with a solution of 1/4 cup household bleach (5 to 6 percent) mixed with 2 1/4 cups of water. Let the treated surfaces air dry.
If you opt for a store-bought disinfectant, be sure to read the instructions carefully. Most disinfectants require a clean water rinse afterward to remove any chemical residue from food prep areas. Special note: Never spray disinfectants directly on or near food items.
2: Keep Your Countertops and Kitchen Surfaces Dry
Wipe them dry before you move on.Bacteria, mold, and fungus thrive in damp environments. Keeping your countertops dry will make them less inviting to harmful microbes that could make your family sick. Regularly clean your countertops, but also make it a habit to dry them with a clean cloth after washing with soap and water. In between cleanings, wipe down areas near the sink or spots where condensation collects or steam settles.
1: Try an Organic Approach
For some, using harsh chemicals in the kitchen doesn’t feel right. Chemicals can be toxic if not handled correctly and can harm the environment. They’re also costly. Even though bleach is considered natural, it’s still a potent chemical. When mixed with ammonia (even accidentally), bleach creates toxic fumes. The fumes from undiluted bleach alone can cause respiratory issues. And let’s not forget the damage bleach can do to clothing, carpets, and other fabrics.
If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly and safer alternative to bleach (or other harsh disinfectants), Susan Sumner, author of *Green Housekeeping*, has a suggestion. You can disinfect your countertops and kitchen surfaces using a powerful duo of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. These two ingredients are effective on their own, but together, they’re even more potent. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Pour a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide into a dark spray bottle. The peroxide breaks down in light, so the bottle must be dark.
- Fill another spray bottle with white vinegar.
- Clean your countertops with soap and water as usual.
- Spray vinegar on the countertops, then immediately follow with hydrogen peroxide.
- No rinsing needed. The vinegar smell will fade in a few minutes.
- Don’t mix the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in one bottle—vinegar will deactivate the peroxide. Used separately, they work together to bubble away germs and leave your countertops fresh, sanitized, and ready for use.
