publication date: Apr 30, 2007
Check out the germ hot spots in the kitchen to improve your home hygiene:
- Dish cloth danger – what we use to clean our surfaces often contains more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Soak cloths in a solution of bleach overnight then rinse and hang out to dry.
- Tea towels, another major hazard – leaving the dishes to dry is much safer. Do not use to tea towels to wipe hands during food preparation, a common habit. Use a fresh towel each time you dry up.
- Taps, fridge and cupboard door handles should be targeted for regular cleaning using disinfectant.
- Hands – wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot water throughout the day, particularly before and after handling food and after using the loo.
- Chopping boards can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Wash with hot soapy water and then rinse after use and always between using for raw meat and then cooked food or vegetables.
- Storing food – always keep uncooked meat at the bottom of the fridge so that it cannot contaminate other foods. Hot food should be cooled quickly and covered before placing in fridge, which should be regularly cleaned and kept at a temperature between 1 and 4 degrees C.
- Unless you have young children or pets don’t worry about cleaning the kitchen floor every day, concentrate on the above.
