Ask a Dietitian

Giving your kitchen counter a quick wipe to remove the crumbs is fine for keeping the counter tidy and certainly removing food particles that bacteria and pests might feed on. However that doesn’t mean your counter is clean. How do you keep a kitchen tidy and clean? There are a few simple things to remember.
The most common bacteria found in a kitchen include coliform bacteria, a sign of fecal contamination, staphylococcus bacteria, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting, and yeast and moulds, which can be harmful to those with allergies. Sponges and dish clothes are the main host site for these germs and if you don’t clean them daily you will just be spreading them around the kitchen.
Sponges collect food residue which then becomes food for bacteria. Because sponges are often damp or wet, they are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. To kill bacteria put your damp sponge in the microwave for 1 minute on high. Be sure the sponge is damp so it doesn’t catch fire. The same can be done for your dishcloth. Alternatively, run the sponge through a complete cycle of the dishwasher or use a clean dish cloth daily. Soaking a sponge in bleach or lemon juice does not seem to have the same benefit for killing bacteria.

Countertops are also a site of bacterial growth. The source of contamination is usually our hands or dirty dish cloths but can also come from cross-contamination from our food. To properly clean your countertop you want to first use soap and hot water and clean the countertop. This will remove bacteria as well as parasites and viruses. Hot soapy water is also the best way to get rid of grease and fat on the countertop. Using disinfectants like Lysol or Pinesol won’t kill the viruses and parasites, not to mention this type of chemical is not meant for human consumption so should be washed off thoroughly. Instead, use a simple solution of 5ml bleach and 3 cups water in a spray bottle. Flood the counter with this solution and let it sit a few minutes. Then let it air dry or pat it dry with a paper towel. Bleach and water will break down to salt and water over time. Baking soda and vinegar are not as effective at disinfecting as bleach.
Disinfect your sink drain with bleach too. The drain can be a source of Listeria and salmonella. You may even want to wash your fruit and veg in a separate bowl in the sink rather than directly in your sink.
Cutting Boards, whether plastic or wooden can be cleaned with hot soapy water. If the plastic board is worn and scarred it can be hard to disinfect manually and should be put through the dishwasher. Wooden boards should be allowed to dry completely. Even if some bacteria are absorbed into the wood they will die. If your boards are small enough you can disinfect them in the microwave for a minute too.
Remember a dry kitchen is a safe kitchen so keep the area around the sink as dry as possible. After wiping counters, rinse and squeeze out the cloth or sponge. Wipe up spills in the microwave and fridge right when they happen. If you don’t have one already, invest in a small fridge thermometer and make sure your fridge is at 4 degrees C. After a power outage your food will be fine for 4 hours but the more you open the fridge the sooner your food will go bad. The items you will want to toss after your food has been at room temp for more than 2 hours include milk, meat, leftovers and deli items. A freezer full of frozen food will last up to 2 days.