With coronavirus around, properly cleaning and disinfecting your kitchen has become more prevalent than ever. It’s important to make sure everyone in your home can safely use high-touch surfaces and food products without spreading germs. Here is some advice to help make sure your cooking and eating space stays clean in the age of covid-19.
How to disinfect
The Cleaning Institute has created a coronavirus guide, which includes a reminder that it’s necessary to pre-clean surfaces before disinfecting. This step removes dirt or residue from these surfaces. After disinfecting, let the surface air dry. This allows the product to take full effect. Any surface in the kitchen or that a child may touch should be rinsed with water after air drying.
Nik Sharma from Serious Eats explains that a clean surface doesn’t necessarily mean a sterile or sanitized surface, and understanding this difference can be key to preventing coronavirus in your kitchen. Sharma also recommends checking the expiration date on the sanitizing products you use around your home.
The CDC has also released guides on properly disinfecting your home, including what to do if someone in the household has a confirmed or suspected case of covid-19.
Clean often
Coronavirus has been demonstrated to last up to 72 hours on some surfaces. So, while it’s important to clean your home often, this is especially true when it comes to high-traffic areas and parts of your home that are typically the first stop on the way back into the house.
High-touch areas should be frequently wiped down with a cleaning product or soap and water. These areas include door handles, the sink, cabinets, buttons on the stove and microwave, and any light switches. Disinfecting countertops should be done with a diluted bleach solution or a disinfectant product.
Experts recommend the use of a dishwasher, if you have one, to clean off your dishes, pots, pans, and other tools. The high temperatures will kill the virus. You can put your sponge or dish brush in the dishwasher to disinfect it as well.
After the grocery store
When you get home from the grocery store, begin by using a disinfectant wipe or product to clean off glass or metal containers. Consider removing food from any cardboard or plastic containers to transfer them into clean containers. If you don’t have plans to use some of the products immediately, you can leave them in a well-ventilated area of your home for 72 hours to be safe.
Hand washing
Proper hand washing remains one of the most surefire ways to prevent the spread of covid-19. Using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before working in the kitchen is recommended. Remember to wash your hands before and after you touch food, prior to eating, and after cleaning up.
At Kitchen & Bath Center, we keep our showrooms clean and sanitized. If you’re interested in remodeling your kitchen anytime soon, give us a call or stop by one of our locations!
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