Love Your Clean Kitchen: Top 5 Kitchen Hygiene Tips

For most families, a clean kitchen is a necessity, as this is where a majority of the food preparation occurs. To ensure the health and wellness of your family, follow these basic kitchen hygiene tips to keep your food preparation surfaces clean and free from harmful germs or bacteria.

1. Wash Your Hands

   It may seem so simple, but most unwashed hands are likely to be contaminated with more fecal matter than the toilet bowl! Wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water before handling any type of food.

2. Keep Benches Clean

   For best results, clean kitchen benches immediately before and after food preparation. Be sure the cloth you are cleaning your bench with is clean and not just adding more contaminants to the surface. Try to have a designated area in the home to place items such as shopping bags, hand bags, keys etc that is separate from the food preparation area. These items can carry all sorts of germs from outside the home.

3. Use ‘Clean’ Cleaning Cloths

   If you prefer to use a multi-use cleaning cloth, be sure to sanitise it in a disinfectant solution at least daily (perhaps over night). Another option to improve kitchen hygiene is to use disposable cleaning wipes or a disinfecting spray with paper towel.

4. Chopping Board 101

   There is an ongoing debate as to which type of chopping boards are most hygienic. As a general rule marble, glass and plastic chopping boards are easier to clean, however wooden chopping boards are known for their natural antibacterial properties. Wooden chopping boards are generally most suitable for fruit, vegetables and bread. Plastic chopping boards are best for cutting raw meat as they are easily washed in hot soapy water afterwards. It is also a good idea to use separate chopping boards for different types of food and also different meats so as to avoid cross-contamination. Whatever type of chopping board you prefer, the most important thing to remember is to thoroughly clean your chopping board immediately after use.

5. Clean Linen

   Ensure aprons, tea towels and hand towels are clean. It’s also a good idea to designate a towel for drying your hands that is separate from the tea towel that is used for drying the dishes.

Use Common Sense

A clean kitchen along with adequate cooking should help to minimize the risk of food contamination. By ensuring good kitchen hygiene, you are making sure any surface coming into contact with food is already as clean as it can possibly be, thus greatly reducing the risk of contaminating your food. If you think you have consumed contaminated food or that you may suffering from food poisoning, consult your doctor immediately.