Disinfecting your kitchen on a regular basis should be an essential part of your housekeeping routine. Irregular cleaning of food preparation areas can leave you susceptible to dangerous bacteria like salmonella and E Coli. Kitchens, therefore, should be cleaned each time you prepare food, and a complete and thorough clean should be done on a weekly basis. So what are the best cleaning products for disinfecting your kitchen? Here’s all you need to know:
Regular use of quality cleaning products and the correct methods can help you sanitise your home. A cleaning product like Jif Antibacterial is great for killing bacteria – just read the directions on the label and test it in a small area first.
Disinfectants for the Kitchen
For ease and convenience, many homeowners choose to buy cleaning products from the supermarket, and these products are often very good at what they do. It’s important to follow the instructions on the labels when using these products, and make sure that you use appropriate products for different surfaces. Here is a list of common disinfectants:
Bleach. Bleach is an excellent disinfectant, and one that can be used in different areas of your kitchen – like the floor, countertops, or the kitchen sink. It is highly effective at killing kitchen germs, like those found in raw meats. However, when using bleach, it’s important to make sure that you follow the directions on the label and work in a well-ventilated space, as bleach is a very powerful substance.
Disinfectant Sprays. Liquid sprays are very convenient when it comes to cleaning the kitchen. These sprays are often multipurpose, and can be used on a variety of surfaces, from cupboard handles to cooker tops. Simply spray, leave to soak, then wipe with a clean cloth.
Surface Wipes. These wipes often contain the same sort of ingredients as the disinfectant sprays, but due to their handy and disposable nature, wipes are commonly used for small spills and work-surface maintenance rather than for full clean-ups.
Floor Cleaners. Don’t forget to clean the floor! Liquid disinfectants or bleach can be diluted with warm water to create floor cleaners capable of cutting through food residues, greasy stains, and all the dust and dirt accumulated from foot traffic.
Natural Disinfectants for the Kitchen
Natural disinfectants made at home can also be effective at kitchen cleaning – just be sure to test them on a small area first to check there is no adverse reaction. If you’d like to give the natural option a try, here are some cleaning products that will help you get the job done:
Vinegar. Vinegar is renowned for being an excellent all-round cleaner, particularly for the kitchen, because its high acidity levels mean that most germs simply cannot survive when they come into close contact. Depending on the surface material, you can use white or distilled vinegar straight from the bottle for a quick wipe down, or dilute it with a little warm water. Don’t worry, the smell will fade once the vinegar has dried – but if it is proving too much, simply add a few drops of natural oils, such as lavender, lemon or orange, into the mix beforehand.
Lemons. Again, the acidity of lemons means that they are excellent kitchen cleaners and great at killing germs. For work surfaces, cooker tops, and sinks, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle with baking soda – use this as a scrubber to banish ground-in dirt.
Essential Kitchen Cleaning Materials
As well as disinfectant, you’ll also want to make sure you other essential kitchen cleaning materials before you start your task of cleaning the kitchen. These items are all widely available from your local store.
Rubber Gloves. If using a disinfectant – especially bleach – you will need to protect your skin from the chemicals. Choose either reusable or disposable gloves and wear them at all times during the kitchen cleaning process.
Broom. Before disinfecting a floor, it’s always best to use a broom, or a dustpan and brush, to sweep up any loose dust and dirt.
Mop & Bucket. Use these to disinfect kitchen floors. Look for a mop that has a removable head for easy cleaning. Mops come in both sponge and string varieties: sponges are good for tiled floors, as they can get into the grooves of the grout, but string mops are better for tackling corners.
Microfibre Cloths. If you’re not using surface wipes, a good quality, washable cloth is essential for cleaning worktops and cooker tops. Never be tempted to use paper towels or other cloths that can disintegrate – you’ll just give yourself more work!
Spray Bottle. If you’ve decided to try making your own natural disinfectant from vinegar, it’s handy to have an empty spray bottle to put it in. This means you can make up a large batch in one go, and keep it in your kitchen cleaning cupboard until next time.
There you have it – disinfecting your kitchen is easy with the appropriate products and techniques. Give it a go and ensure your kitchen is as hygienic as possible!
Ventilate the room
Wear rubber gloves
Carefully follow the instructions on the product’s label.