Quick cleaning tips to avoid food-borne illnesses

Sanicare helps with tough cleanups at home

Keeping the kitchen clean and germ-free is challenging especially since it is where we prepare the food of our entire family. Time and time again, it is important that we remember the vital role of hygiene in food handling and preparation in achieving good nutrition.

Cleanliness goes beyond what can be seen with the naked eye, because the real culprit behind food contamination is microscopic. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that kitchens are breeding ground to 200 types of disease-causing microorganisms which are the leading cause of diarrhea and food poisoning.

To avoid sickness in the family, it pays to know how you can steer clear of diseases that can be contracted because of poor sanitation. The key to combat the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms lie in proper cleaning, and to help you get started, follow these simple steps to keep your kitchen sanitary:

• The sink can be just as dirty as the toilet seat. The best advice is to always keep it dry to avoid the buildup of germs like coli bacteria. To clean the sink deeply, rinse it with hot water mixed with white vinegar. Another way is to scrub it using detergent or baking soda paste.

• After cleaning the sink, next is the faucet. It is a part of the kitchen that is difficult to clean as grime forms in the interstices or in spaces that are hard to reach. When cleaning, put baking soda on an old brush and scrub the faucet. The water and vinegar solution spray can also work. Use paper towels to dry it up.

• Another place where germs stay is the kitchen countertop. Bits of food and liquid spills spur the growth of bacteria. For a total wipeout, use paper towels and soak it in a bleach solution (7 parts water and 3 parts bleach). Cover the surface with soaked paper towels and leave it for 2-3 minutes. Afterwards, wipe it with dry paper towels.

• Microbes from meat and other raw food stay and thrive on chopping boards when not cleaned properly. As a result, it has more than 200 percent bacteria compared to the toilet bowl. Quick fix: soak the chopping board in a basin full of water and vinegar mixture overnight.

• Look for areas in the kitchen where mildew and molds are present. Usually, these are found in ladle and spatula. Spatula, particularly the rubber ones, is one of the unexpected places where bacteria live. These tools are used in a daily basis, and if not cleaned properly, germs like Salmonella and Norovirus will grow. To clean these items, soak it in hot water and detergent and leave it for 3 minutes. A baking soda paste used as scrub also does wonders in cleaning the dirty areas.

• One of the places in the kitchen that needs attention is the stove knob. These are always greasy due to oil that came from cooking. A paper towel that is partly soaked in water and vinegar solution will quickly remove the grease on the knobs. Before cleaning, make sure that the gas tank is off. Gently wipe the knobs. Dry it also using paper towels.

For general cleaning in the kitchen, paper towels are more convenient, have lower risk of cross contamination, and are effective absorbent of liquids like water and oils. It can be used in the kitchen and in the dining room. Do away with using rags or towels because these could be host also to disease-carrying microbes.

To ensure the safety of the family during meal time, start by maintaining proper food hygiene from preparation to serving. Always keep the kitchen clean and free from germs by securing a trusted and handy partner–the Sanicare Paper and Kitchen Towels. These are designed to do the toughest cleanups even in the dirtiest places at home.

For more information on the Philippines’ leading tissue brand, visit www.scpa.com.ph