The germiest items in your kitchen
The kitchen is the most important place to clean in your home. It is where you prepare, cook and eat food as well as clean up dirty dishes. It is easy to remember to clean the obvious spots – stovetops, ovens and bench tops – but other spaces are a little tricky. Check out this list of common kitchen items where bacteria love to grow.
Fridge crisper
You might not think the fruit and veggie compartment of your fridge is dirty but it could contain salmonella, listeria, yeast and mould, according to study by health and safety organisation NSF International. Wash draws thoroughly with detergent, then rinse and dry well to keep germs at bay. Also keep washed produce separate from unwashed.
Blender
With all of those strange crevices in your blender it is no wonder that it is a breeding ground for germs. The rubbery part, just underneath the blade, is especially important to clean as the NSF International study found traces of salmonella, E.coli, yeast and mould. Try to disassemble the jar and put it through the dishwasher (if dishwasher safe).
Can opener
Don’t forget to give your trusty can opener a good clean after each use so all traces of food are gone. Simply put it in the dishwasher if it is safe to do so or hand wash with hot soapy water.
Meat compartment
Fridge shelves or compartments which have had meat need extra care to avoid the spread of disease-causing germs. Whenever you see spilled juices wipe them down with warm soapy water. Try to store meat on lower shelves to prevent juices dripping onto other food in your fridge.
Spatula
The germiest part of your spatula is where the handle joins on. Be sure to separate the top from the handle when washing and dry well before putting away.
Knife block
So you wash your knives after every use but when was the last time you washed your knife block? Simply remove knives (of course!) then shake the block upside-down to remove any dust. Then hand wash in hot soapy water, rinse well and leave to dry.
Sealed containers
The airtight containers you store your food in are certainly not germ-proof. These kitchen essentials should be cleaned in the dishwasher after every use (if dishwasher safe) or thoroughly cleaned by hand in hot, soapy water. Be sure to get into the crevices in the lid.
Water dispenser
That handy water and ice dispenser on your fridge is another place where pesky germs lurk. It is best to give it a clean once a month. Consult your fridge manual for how to clean.
Microwave controls
Splatters inside your microwave are easy to spot but bacteria growing on the controls are less obvious. Give controls a wipe with an antibacterial wipe, especially after being touched by sticky fingers.
Sink
Are you cleaning dishes in a dirty sink? Your efforts could be going to waste if you let germs multiply in this vital part of your kitchen. Scrub the sink down with hot, soapy water then use a disinfectant.
Taps
You probably use your taps countless times each day, making them a perfect spot for germs to take hold. Simply clean with an antibacterial wipe daily to sanitise your taps.
Sponges
The moisture in kitchen sponges creates the perfect conditions for bacteria. Replace your sponges regularly and disinfect between uses by placing a damp sponge in the microwave for two minutes.