Studies show that the toilet seat is NOT the dirtiest place in the house, but surprisingly, it’s the kitchen!
A study was conducted by Dr. Chuck Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, showed evidence that on average, a toilet seat has 50 bacteria per square inch. It was less than what he had discovered on a kitchen sponge which has 10 million bacteria per square inch and 1 million on a dishcloth. In fact, the average cutting board has 200 times more faecal bacteria than a toilet seat.
Faecal bacteria such as E.coli and staphylococcus aureus can usually be found in raw meat products. Every time you chop meat, it gets stuck to the chopping board, not even counting the bacteria on kitchen stoves, floors, and walls.
So, does this mean that it’s better to chop meat and potatoes on a toilet seat rather in the kitchen? Well, he wouldn’t recommend that but rather, “…you might treat your cutting board a bit more like you do your toilet seat,” he said during an interview with BBC News.
Deep kitchen cleaning is essential
Aside from the daily dishwashing and floor mopping, it is highly recommended to have a regular deep kitchen cleaning. A weekly or monthly deep cleaning is important to maintain good health in the house. Bacteria food contamination does not start at the dining table but at the kitchen. These bacteria can mostly be found on the most visible kitchen items like sponges, dishcloths, utensils and even to appliances such as the fridge and the oven.
What materials do you need to prepare for the deep clean?
These are the basic materials that you need to prepare for the big clean day:
1. All-purpose surface cleaners for countertops
2. Bottle brushes for scrubbing hard-to-reach and narrow areas
3. Detergent
4. Dish gloves, apron and face mask to protect you from inhaling strong chemicals and burns
5. Dishwashing liquid
6. Nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner
7. Rags, microfiber cloths, or paper towels
8. Scrub brush for pots and pans
9. Sponges for dishes and surfaces
10. Stainless steel cleaner for sinks, appliances and pot bottoms
11. Dust mop preferably with a long handle
12. Broom and mop
13. Step-ladder
14. Vacuum with attachment
15. Cleaning bucket with a handle to carry and store cleaning supplies
16. Lots and lots of water
You can also try DIY cleaners that are natural and safe for kids.
You can use a combination of these:
1. Baking Soda
2. White Vinegar
3. Lemon
4. Natural Salt
5. Hydrogen peroxide
6. Washing soda
7. Liquid castile soap or Sal Suds
8. Borax
Where to start cleaning?
Proper cleaning in the kitchen involves several areas, but not limited to the following:
1. Sink
2. Counters
3. Dishwasher
4. Kitchenwares and tools
5. Coffeemaker
6. Oven
7. Microwave
8. Stove
9. Refrigerator
10. Cabinets and drawers
11. Floor
12. Walls
13. Frames or wall art
14. Ceiling fan
15. Ceiling
16. Curtains
17. Trash can
And the list goes on, but these are the essential areas where you can start.
General tips on cleaning
There are a lot of techniques in properly cleaning the kitchen, but these are the most basic tips:
1. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, aprons and face mask. This is to protect you from strong chemicals and inhaling cleaning fumes that can cause lightheadedness, coughing and stinging in the nose and eyes. Strong cleaners can also cause skin irritation and discoloration on clothes.
2. Read and follow the instructions on the cleaning products.
3. Maintain proper ventilation and lighting.
4. Test the cleaning product on a small area first to make sure that it will not cause discoloration or damage especially on appliances.
5. Dust the ceiling first, the ceiling fan and corners of walls. Wipe also the walls and frames with a soapy cloth or use an all-purpose cleaner. Remember to pull out appliances first when cleaning the walls.
6. When your dishwasher starts to smell like onions and build up molds and calcium-like stains, it’s time to give your dishwasher a thorough cleaning. Do this by placing a cup full of vinegar and baking soda in the top rack and run on a normal cycle with no other dishes in the unit. This is to bring back it’s cleaning effectiveness. To remove calcium-looking scale deposits, use powdered lemonade mix and run an empty load on normal cycle. To solve the foul smell on dishwashers, use a normal amount of regular detergent and add two cups of vinegar to the base of the unit and run on a normal cycle.
7. Modern stoves have a self-cleaning feature that incinerates the baked-on spills and splatters. Remove the powdery ash at the bottom of the oven using a vacuum cleaner. Older stove models need manual cleaning that involves scrubbing and chemical cleaners. Always check on the instructions for proper usage of cleaners because these can be corrosive and can give off dangerous fumes. You can use a baking soda paste and let it set overnight. Scrub it with a wet sponge the following day.
8. For the kitchen sink, sprinkle baking soda onto the sponge and gently rub down the sink. This is best done regularly to stop bacterial growth and odor buildup from leftover food.
9. Cleaning the fridge starts by defrosting the freezer. Turn off and unplug the unit. Don’t forget to check and clean the drip pan and interior of the freezer and refrigerator when you start defrosting. Use a sponge with a baking soda solution for the interiors. Also, leave an open box of baking soda to control food odors. Make sure to replace the box of baking soda every two months.
10. Deep clean kitchen cabinets by emptying them first. Spray the inside and outside of the cabinets by cleaners or a solution of white vinegar and warm water in a ratio of 1:1. Wipe the shelves, pulls, doors, and surfaces.
11. After cleaning the ceiling and kitchen tops, sweep the floor and follow with a mop. Start from the corner farthest from the room’s entrance.
12. Lastly, take out the trash.
How a kitchen cleaning service can help you?
If your schedule does not allow you for a kitchen deep cleaning, consider hiring a kitchen cleaning company.
They can help you:
1. Avoid breakage and accidents with their highly trained professionals. You can also discuss their insurance and warranty policies.
2. Make a custom cleaning plan according to your budget, schedule and cleaning preference.
3. Some companies also use an online app to track the cleaning team’s arrival, details, and performance. You can also leave feedback for their services.
When determining the cleaning service cost, consider the following factors:
1. The size of the kitchen
2. The condition of the kitchen
3. The areas and appliances that need cleaning
4. The location of the kitchen
Conclusion:
1. Proper kitchen cleaning is important to maintain good health, knowing that bacteria hides on mostly used kitchen items such as sponges, kitchen cloths, and chopping boards. Maintain a regular routine and schedule a deep clean weekly or monthly.
2. Use proper materials, gears, and equipment for cleaning. Always check for usage instructions for cleaning materials. You can also use DIY homemade cleaners like baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon.
3. Remember to make a list of areas to deep clean. Follow the correct order and review cleaning instructions for appliances.
4. Lastly, you can also hire professional cleaners to thoroughly clean your kitchen. Consider the factors before hiring one.