Things You Forget to Clean in the Kitchen

Kitchens are one of the dirtiest rooms in any home regardless of how often they are cleaned and sanitized. The bathroom most often comes in on top as number one but the kitchen is a close second. Below is a list of items that are often passed by when cleaning.

• Knife Blocks
  • Do you store your knives in a knife block? They are still very common in kitchens and are a safer way to store knives versus a drawer, but have you ever cleaned yours? Most people respond with a very confused ‘no’; why would you need to clean something that clean knives are taken out of, washed, and then put back into? The truth is that knife blocks that sit on the counter get all of the food splatter, spills, and other non-visible germs on them all of the time. Although it’s not visible, knife blocks should still be cleaned on a regular basis.
• Sponges/Towels
  • Yes, you use your sponges to clean things, but all of those germs that you are cleaning have to be stuck somewhere right? The millions of germs in your kitchen unfortunately gather on that sponge whether it looks dirty or not. There are two ways to be sure your sponge is clean, one is to replace your sponge every few days if it is used on a regular basis. Another way is to simply toss it in the dishwasher every time you run it. The dishwasher will clean and sterilize it along with your dishes.
  • Towels are another germ attractant. Be sure to replace your drying and kitchen towels on a regular basis to be sure that they are clean and not just spreading germs all over those clean dishes and hands that you’re drying.
• Drying Racks and Faucets
  • Many people prefer to wash dishes and let them sit in a plastic or metal drying rack in the sink to dry versus drying them with a towel. Have you ever cleaned that drying rack? Often time’s calcium and other chemicals in the water will leave residue when it dries and if you allow this residue to get wet and dry over and over, it will create a goo that attracts germs and begins to make your sink smell.
  • This can also happen on your faucet, where the water comes out. Be sure to clean both of these things on a regular basis. If you are cleaning your sink, clean these along with it each time.
• Can Openers
  • Do you wash your can opener? Most of us don’t, it rarely gets anything on it, right? Wrong. Every time you open a can not only are you touching the opener which transfers whatever germs are on your hands, but the can is also dirty, and food from inside can get in those gear grooves that open the can. Be sure to clean your can opener after each use to avoid food contamination.