Imagine living in a bygone age when wealthy families in huge Georgian properties had servants to cater for their every whim. Those days are long gone however, and most of us living in rather more humble abodes, just have to do the mundane tasks ourselves such as keeping the kitchen clean which can often seem like an impossible task. However, by incorporating these 7 simple ways to make sure your kitchen is germ free you’ll free up more time to catch up on your favourite re- runs of Downton Abbey. Keep your kitchen clutter free will maximise productivity and make it a much nicer place to be and keep clean! 1. Keep the clutter to a minimum. Yes, trinkets are cute but do they really need to be taking up your kitchen space? There are plenty of options for how to display your ornaments and bits and bobs but on your kitchen counter or on top of your fridge just aren’t practical choices. By keeping the clutter out of the kitchen you’ll have less to clean around, making your job easier, while ensuring less hiding places for the dreaded bacteria to multiply. Super-clever self cleaning worktops can remove all bacteria 2. Kitchen worktops should be easy to clean. If you’re in a rush to give the kitchen a quick once over; maybe your favourite programme’s coming on, then you don’t want to waste time and energy scrubbing old sauce stains off the work surface. If you’ve got a bit of extra cash why not try Silestone worktops from EKCOs. They’re made almost completely from natural quartz and have anti-bacterial properties so will keep deadly bacteria in check. They are also available in an array of colours to suit your interior. What if your cooker/hob wasn’t always dirty and in need of a good clean? 3. Speaking of easy to clean; there’s nothing more time consuming (and indeed utterly boring) than scouring away at the pot racks on your hob. Even after hours of steeping them in hot water the grime seems to linger. Instead, have a look at installing an electric induction or ceramic hob which allows for a fast and efficient wipe down once in a while instead of allowing the bacteria to build up. Ceramic or induction hobs will also add a more contemporary look to your kitchen as well as bringing a splash of sophistication to a traditional scheme. A stainless steel cooker will also do the job of keeping the grime to a minimum and is ideal for those with busy lifestyles and therefore less time to spend with a sponge in hand. The basics of understanding how to avoid cross contamination in the kitchen 4. Cross contamination is a huge problem in kitchens and no matter what your eating habits may be, at some point a chopping board will have to be used. Make sure that for every food type: cooked meat, uncooked meat, fish, vegetables (dirty and clean) that you have a different chopping board to hand. When it comes to food preparation, keep your raw meat chopping board beside your cooker so you can simply chop it up and add it to your pot. Germs on the kitchen floor should not be overlooked 5. Not only should you be aware of the germs at eye-level but try to consider those beneath your feet as well. The floor can often be overlooked but it needs some TLC at times too. Hardwood flooring can look beautiful but you’ll need to make sure you clean it regularly to get rid of germs caused by spillage and crumbs. You could also consider laminate flooring as an alternative or even look at tiling your floor. These options can be easily swept and wiped clean as there are no deep grooves for crumbs or dirt to hide. Laying a different flooring in your kitchen also adds a touch of variety to your home and can manipulate the mood and personality of your kitchen space. How to make sure your food isn’t going to spread unwanted bacteria 6. It may be fairly obvious but food is the main source of bacteria in your kitchen so be aware of how you’re storing your foods and if this is the safest and most efficient way of doing so. Think about how old your fridge is and if it’s functioning as well as it should be. The food should be kept below 5 degrees so as to stop it from spoiling and if this isn’t the case it’s definitely time to get a new one. Look for a new fridge or fridge freezer with a high energy rating (A or above) and features such as different humidity zones to keep your salads at a different temperature from your meat and fish ensuring that your food is fresher for longer. How long have you been using those wash clothes and sponges, ewww! 7. A final tip is to have a look around your kitchen, mainly at your clothes, sponges, knife blocks and so on. The bacteria that could be festering in there doesn’t even bear thinking about so make sure to thoroughly clean your sponges every few days using hot water with a teaspoonful of bleach. As for the dishcloths, if they look a little worse for wear that’s because they are. Chuck them out, or better reuse them for cleaning or waxing your car, and get fresh ones in. Although knife blocks provide a traditional aesthetic they can be hiding all sorts of horrors in their crevices. To avoid this make sure to thoroughly clean your knives and remember to dry them before putting them back in the block. If you’re not set on having a knife block try out a magnetic strip to hang your knives instead which will also add a modern touch to your home. If cleaning your kitchen sounds like a boring way to spend an afternoon, bearing in mind that you would of course much rather be lounging in front of the TV or having a day-long lie in, then by considering a few of these guidelines the job will be much less daunting and time consuming leaving you more ‘me’ time to enjoy.
