Learn the right way to disinfect your kitchen surfaces
Of all the areas in your home that just cannot be neglected, it’s your kitchen counters, tables and cabinets. Not only is the kitchen an area where your family spends time every single day, but it’s also the one area in your home most likely to cause you harm.
The fact is, your kitchen surfaces are an absolute breeding ground for food bacteria. Failing to keep them sanitized is like sending a personalized invitation to germs that could cause your family very serious illness.
The good news is that it’s not terribly difficult to keep your kitchen surfaces safely sanitized. The bad news is that a half-hearted attempt won’t be enough.
When you want truly professional cleaning care, FLACARE Services is the only call to make. All of your kitchen surfaces will be professionally sanitized on every visit.
In the meantime, here’s what you can do at home to keep your family safe.
Follow the USDA’s One-Two Punch to Stop Foodborne Illness in Your Kitchen
With some water, soap and bleach, you have everything you need to correctly clean your kitchen surfaces. The USDA recommends a two-step process that includes cleaning and then sanitizing.
Just wiping down your kitchen surfaces is not enough. First, clean them. With this important first step, you’ll remove bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Simply use warm, soapy water and wipe clean using paper towels. If you do use a washcloth or kitchen towel, make sure you’re washing them regularly in hot water in your washing machine.
Foodborne illness bacteria can remain on surfaces for a very long time. Salmonella, for example, can last for up to 32 hours. Cleaning can remove some of this bacteria, but it’s important to note that it does not kill the bacteria.
For that, you need the second step — sanitizing. This is just as important as the cleaning step. This is the step that will kill any remaining bacteria. A simple homemade solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water does the job perfectly. Simply pour or spray on your surfaces and wipe them clean.
Follow these steps after every meal preparation, and you can live worry free.
Keep Every Room In Your House Free of Bacteria — Call the Pros
It’s true that your kitchen surfaces present your biggest daily danger when it comes to keeping a clean home. And we just told you how to do the job yourself. But that’s just one room in your house. Your bathrooms, bedrooms, living room and dining room each present their own sanitary concerns that are correctly addressed with professional cleaning. And that’s to say nothing about the benefit of keeping your home looking beautiful.
But back to that kitchen. Did you know that with each kitchen cleaning, FLACARE runs through a checklist that includes:
- Trash emptied; waste baskets cleaned as needed
- Sinks, countertops, backsplash, cabinet fronts cleaned (all items cleaned and replaced)
- Outside of appliances (refrigerator/refrigerator vent and top, dishwasher, stovetop) cleaned
- Inside of the refrigerator or oven upon your request and extra charge
- Small appliances cleaned (coffeemakers, can openers), in and out of microwaves, toaster
- Windowsills and blinds cleaned and picture frames dusted
- Baseboards dusted; cobwebs removed, air vents cleaned
- All woodwork, door frames and switch plates
- Chandeliers dusted and wiped as needed
- Wiped table and chairs
- Floors vacuumed and mopped
And all of that for a very reasonable price, done by vetted professionals. When you consider what your time is worth, a professional residential rescue cleaning by FLACARE becomes a no-brainer. Get your free quote today.
