You’ve washed the utensils, wiped the countertop and cleaned the hob. But is your kitchen still spic and span? Cooking even a single meal requires a ton of work and usage of multiple things and surfaces. And with one having at least three meals in a day, it is essential that your cooking space is as hygienic as it can be. We list down the key areas to pay attention to in your kitchen, and the best ways to clean them, to ensure that they are spotless and germ-free.
In case you wish to know more about kitchen designing rather than cleaning, you can find all about it here.
1. Cooking Hob—Where all the Action is!
From droplets of oil to curry splashes and the occasional veggie drop, one can decipher what your meal was with one look at your cooking hob. The best way to ensure that it stays clean is to spray a surface cleaner after each cooking session. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes before wiping it off with a microfibre cloth. Don’t forget to clean the knobs as that’s the most touched area. Use an old, clean toothbrush for small crevices that accumulate dirt. Once done, wipe off with a dry cloth.
But every few days, deep-clean the hob by removing the burner rings and soaking them in a bucket full of hot water and dish soap. After 10 minutes, scrub them with a non-abrasive pad to get rid of any grease, wash them off with water again before putting them back on the hob.
2. Chimney—Grease Galore
Indian cooking with its various spices, oil, and tadka makes for a sumptuous meal, but can leave your chimney filled with grease every few days. In order to clean it thoroughly, you need to first use a kitchen paper towel to wipe off the oil and grease from it. Once done, remove the metal filters and repeat the process again. Now, take a damp cloth and spray a strong kitchen cleaner on it. Use this to clean the inside and outside of the chimney properly.
On the filters, directly spray the cleaning solution and leave them aside for a few minutes. Now fill your kitchen sink or take a small tub of hot water to immerse the filters in it. Add some vinegar to this to prevent the grease from collecting in it. Using a toothbrush, clean the ridges to loosen the dirt and then pour some liquid soap on the filters. Now, use a scrubber to remove the dirt completely, and then wash them under running water for a squeaky-clean look. Let them dry before fixing them back to the chimney.
3. Kitchen Countertop—Playground for Germs
You may not realise the amount of germs your countertop accumulates every day. And with food lying exposed on it, it is essential that it is cleaned every day at least once if not more. To do so, clear the countertop completely by moving utensils and smaller appliances. Now pick up any food particles using a tissue or cleaning cloth.
Once done, spray rubbing alcohol mixed with equal parts water on the surface. After a few minutes, wipe it with a dry cloth. Do this every night to get rid of any bacteria from the surface. Ensure that any cloth used once is directly put for wash and not used again. Also avoid using a wet towel multiple times to wipe the area, as it may just spread the germs from one point to the other.
4. Kitchen Backsplash—Dirt is in the Details
The tiles lining the walls of your kitchen below your cabinets is the backsplash area. While you don’t need to clean them every day, a weekly or fortnightly wipe will ensure the dust and dirt settled on it is gone. For this, wear cleaning gloves and keep a mug full of warm, soapy water. Now dip a cleaning sponge in it and rub the tiles with it in circular motions. If there’s dirt settled in the tile grout, use a small brush to remove it. Once done, use a cloth dipped in clean water and then leave it to dry naturally.
5. Kitchen Sink—Bacteria Pool Party
The place where you wash your vessels also needs cleaning regularly, especially because it is where the dirty dishes sit every day. A homemade paste of baking soda with water can do the trick here. First, clear out the sink and pat it dry. Now apply the paste using a brush or with your fingers but don’t forget to wear cleaning gloves. Now fill a bottle with equal parts vinegar and water, and spray on this paste, and then turn the tap on to wash it off completely with water. You can even add a little lemon juice in the vinegar mix to get rid of any unpleasant smell from the sink.
6. Storage Cabinets—Locking in Dust
The shelves and cabinets where you store your precious crockery and everyday pots and pans are areas where dust can settle very easily, even if they come with drawers and doors. As a practice, wash every cutlery with water before use to remove the dust settled on it. But to clean the storage space, use a microfibre cloth and a multi-surface spray. Once a month, clear the area by removing all the crockery and wiping down the area with this spray.
You can also place plastic shelf liners on the cabinets which are washable and dry quickly. This will prevent the dust from settling directly on the surface and in turn save you time and effort in cleaning them every few days. Simply remove the liner, wash it under running water, leave it to dry, and place it back.
Apart from these areas in your kitchen, make sure that the appliances you use regularly like the oven, microwave, food processor, grinder, etc are also cleaned well after every use to get rid of food particles and any bacteria. Remember, a clean kitchen is the first step to ensure food safety and hygiene.
Click here read more about our projects.
