Best Practices for Proper Kitchen Hygiene and Sanitation

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: May 13, 2022

Be it preparing food, eating, or merely hanging out, the kitchen is the primary hub in any home. Therefore, it requires significant attention when it comes to maintaining kitchen hygiene and sanitation. However, merely making the rules won’t work. Instead, make sure that all the family members follow kitchen hygiene rules so that it becomes easy to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Click here to get info from the pros at Caesarstone if you’d like to learn how solid surfaces and quartz countertops can make your kitchen easier to sanitize.

Why is it Necessary to Maintain Hygiene in the Kitchen?

The key goal behind properly sanitizing and cleaning the kitchen is to get rid of the food (nutrients) that may result in the growth of bacteria. The cleaning equipment must also be dried properly for safe storage to prevent germs.

Food Standards Agency states that there are ‘4 Cs’ that homeowners need to remember for good kitchen hygiene:

  • Cooking
  • Cross-contamination
  • Cleaning
  • Chilling

Best Practices for Proper Kitchen Hygiene and Sanitation

  1. Keeping hands clean

Clean hands – this is what tops every list of kitchen hygiene rules. It’s easy for germs to spread quickly from raw food items to the hands to all other kitchen parts. Therefore, it’s mandatory to wash hands frequently when in the kitchen. Also, personal hygiene should not be taken lightly — keep the fingernails clean and short, and don’t forget to clean the apron.

  1. Begin and wrap up with a clean countertop

It comes as no surprise that countertops in our kitchens have a pretty blunt life. From spillage of liquid to bearing the sudden hits of the knife while chopping vegetables, countertops go through a lot. Perhaps you frequently leave your mobile phone on the counter? No matter what, the countertop requires regular cleaning. Use warm water to clean the countertop on an everyday basis, and clean with a mild detergent once every few days. Here’s how to maintain proper kitchen hygiene:

  • Wash the countertop every time you start preparing the meal
  • Wipe down any spillage immediately
  • Clear up the soil and other bits right away after handling raw veggies, meat, or eggs.
  1. Invest in the right type of kitchen countertops

The truth is that many countertop materials, including natural stone and wood, are porous, which means they can be a permanent home to the bacteria in a kitchen. Therefore, it is recommended to opt for non-porous countertop surfaces. These modern countertops are free of naturally occurring pores. Plus, these are safe from etching and staining, which allows one to enjoy these countertops for a long time. Here are the two most popular options:

  • Quartz Countertops

Quartz is among the most beautiful, durable, and hygiene-friendly surfaces for residential kitchen countertops. It is crafted with natural minerals, polymers, and resin, and this unique formation makes quartz a non-porous material. Also, its regular cleaning is an easy task; all you need is a soft cleaning cloth and mild soap to keep it clean.

  • Solid surface

Solid surface countertops are also popular because of their grout-free design. However, harsh cleaning agents are prohibited on solid surface countertops. Also, do not use window cleaners on them because it can lead to wax-like buildup.

  1. Avoid cleaning the countertop with harsh tools

A countertop is an expensive investment, and it is essential to follow adequate guidelines to clean them. One must use appropriate tools and products to maintain the countertop’s hygiene, functionality, and shine. Always avoid harsh tools such as hard-bristled brushes for cleaning. Such tools can leave the countertop damaged, and the pieces of food may get stuck in there, allowing the bacteria to grow.

  1. Thoroughly cook the food

Proper Kitchen Hygiene and Sanitation

One of the most crucial food hygiene practices is to make sure the food is cooked completely. If it is left undercooked, harmful germs present in the ingredients may cause food poisoning. Here are some rules to avoid that:

  • Cut into the food to examine if it is properly cooked or not.
  • Ensure that the reheated leftover food is piping hot.
  • Use a food-grade thermometer to ensure the meat is cooked to the appropriate heat level.
  1. Basins require a good cleaning too

Let’s face it — basins are usually overlooked when it comes to maintaining hygiene in the kitchen. However, it should not be the case because the kitchen sinks/basins are used on an everyday basis, so they turn out to be grimy if you don’t clean them properly. Interestingly, this is one of those kitchen hygiene practices that require a minimal amount of time but is worth doing! Just give the kitchen basin a quick scrub with your favorite cleaner and sanitizer at least once a day.

  1. Sanitize kitchen faucets

Agree or not, the kitchen faucet can be a hot place where harmful bacteria grow! Every time you touch it with greasy hands, all the bacteria get transferred to your faucet, and when you turn it off after washing your hands, some of the bacteria will transfer back! So, you must keep the faucet clean with suitable cleaning solutions. Another option is to invest in ultramodern touchless faucets to keep the germs away!

  1. Avoid leaving dishcloths lying around

Many people are usually guilty of leaving their wet and greasy dishcloths and countertop cleaning rags hanging on the countertop. This habit leads to the breeding of bacteria that contaminate the food. Hence, it is imperative to wash the kitchen clothes with a mild detergent and dry it in the sunlight to exterminate all the bacteria.

  1. Make use of appropriate sanitation tools

Using the wrong equipment for kitchen sanitization may damage the faucets, countertops, cupboards, etc. Also, cleaning won’t turn out to be as effective as you want. In most cases, microfiber cloths or soft-bristled brushes are suggested to use in the kitchen. However, if there are significantly larger and moist bits, brushes with medium bristles are useful. It’s important to follow the guidelines mentioned by the manufacturers of faucets, countertops, etc.

Closing words

No matter how frequently you cook in the kitchen, homeowners should always follow the best kitchen hygiene and sanitation practices.

Also, investing in a good, non-porous countertop can make your life easier, so you can consider updating the countertop to have a cleaner and healthier kitchen.

Thank you for reading!

John
 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

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