Where there is the most dirt: what needs to be cleaned in the kitchen first

Maintaining a clean kitchen is not only pleasant but also essential. The cleanliness of your kitchen plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of your food. For instance, mold from surfaces can contaminate your food and pose serious health risks. That's why it's crucial to know which areas in your kitchen require special attention and care.

Homes and Gardens consulted cleaning experts who offered their advice on this matter. They unanimously emphasized the importance of keeping your countertops hygienically clean.

Why countertops are so crucial

Countertops can be considered the command center of the kitchen. This is where all the essential processes occur, such as food preparation, cutting, mixing, cooking, and serving meals and drinks. Therefore, any crumbs and spills left on the countertops can become breeding grounds for bacteria, including harmful pathogens.

These are also surfaces that we frequently touch with our hands, potentially introducing various contaminants. Hence, maintaining the hygiene of countertops is of paramount importance. It's equally important to pay attention to window sills and other flat horizontal surfaces in your kitchen.

What to prioritize

Always take into account the material from which your countertop is made. This will determine the appropriate cleaning methods and the products you should use. Different materials, like acrylic and white quartz, may react differently to various cleaning substances.

Where to begin

Start by tidying up your countertops. Clear away dirty dishes, store food in the refrigerator and cabinets, sweep away any crumbs, and clean up stains. The less clutter on the surface between uses, the better. This will ensure you always have a clean and organized workspace.

Universal products and tools

It's a good practice to keep a mild detergent in the kitchen for removing grease and food residues, along with a microfiber cloth. The cleaning product can come in various forms, such as spray, liquid, gel, etc. Even your regular dishwashing liquid or a mixture of white vinegar and water (1:1) will suffice. Apply this solution to the countertop and wipe it thoroughly with a microfiber cloth.

Avoid leaving the countertop wet

After cleaning, always wipe down the surfaces with clean water and ensure they are dry. Excess moisture can accelerate germ growth and lead to mold development. You can use either paper towels or cloth towels for this purpose. If you opt for cloth towels, make sure to wash them regularly.

Disinfection

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of surface disinfection. So, it's a good idea to keep an antibacterial spray in your kitchen. Use it to disinfect surfaces after every meal, especially if you've been handling meat or fish. However, keep in mind that simply applying the product and immediately wiping it off may not be effective. Spray the countertop generously and allow it to sit for a few minutes to ensure effective disinfection.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you how to properly wash the toilet to keep it hygienically clean.

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