Chicago Home and Lifestyles – The places needing daily cleaning in your kitchen

You may think you take care of everything that needs to be cleaned in the kitchen, but some surfaces get particularly germ filled and grimy and need special attention. Just cleaning some surfaces may not be enough. Some need disinfecting and sanitizing.

All the handles in your kitchen should be wiped off every day. Just think of all the people touching them! Especially the cook who may have been handling vegetables and meats that can be contaminated with all sorts of germs and bacteria. I use a paper towel soaked in soapy dish water. Follow that up with a quick Lysol spray. 

Speaking of materials used to clean and dry surfaces: I keep a dedicated cloth that is used only on dishes. I don’t have a dishwasher so I hand wash everything. I use a clean cloth every two days to wash and dry. I tend to stay away from sponges as they harbor a lot of bacteria no matter how careful you are. All other surfaces I use paper towels that are disposable. 

Your sink is the next dirtiest place in the kitchen. Think about all the vegetables and meat that comes in contact with the sink! All that bacteria can sit in the trap if not cleaned properly. Wash after each use with hot water and soap. Follow up with Lysol spray. Lysol also makes a kitchen cleaner made just for this. Cleans and disinfects in one step. I am a big fan of Lysol products. They kill germs and are safe on most surfaces. 

The countertops and island in your kitchen can also be a germ filled nightmare. Imagine all the things that come in contact with these surfaces in a day! From backpacks to grocery bags, these surfaces can be a danger, so clean with hot water and soap. After drying, wipe them down with Clorox sanitizing wipes. Don’t forget other surfaces too like chairs and stools. All can benefit from a sanitizing wipe down daily. 

I carry a reusable water container every day. I’m afraid I used to neglect it horribly until my husband brought it to my attention one day. He was thirsty and didn’t have his usual bottle of water. I offered him a sip from my glass, and he said no way was he drinking from that nasty thing! Wow! Now I wash it daily in hot water and soap. The top and straw I clean with a bleach cleaner and rinse with hot water. 

Let’s all spend a little more time everyday taking care of the surfaces we come in contact with everyday to prevent the spread of illness in our families! 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago