When you’re whipping up a tasty meal in the kitchen, do you give a thought to what might be getting into your food from your utensils? While you’re stirring, flipping, or skewering, food particles and bacteria may be passing on to your food.
Keeping your kitchen utensils clean and sanitized is essential to producing delicious and healthy food. Here’s how to do it:
Wash dishes, surfaces, and utensils
Make sure any surface that comes into contact with food is cleaned. Wash dishes in hot, water with a natural detergent or in the dishwasher, with a natural dishwashing powder or tablets and wipe down benches and appliances with a natural multipurpose cleaner We recommend reviewing the certified natural range of cleaning products from Living Green.
Disinfect washing tools regularly
Remember that the tools you need for washing also need a good clean. We’ve covered washing your cleaning supplies in a previous article. This includes mops, buckets, dishcloths, and sponges.
Use separate chopping boards
One of the worst culprits for spreading bacteria and salmonella is through the juices of raw meat. Use a separate knife and chopping board for meat and vegetables, and don’t allow raw meat or anything that’s touched raw meat to also touch vegetables.
Wash your hands
Germs can spread from your hands to the handles of utensils, so wash your hands after touching raw meat or other substances that could spread bacteria.
Scrub chopping boards after every use
Don’t reuse chopping boards the next day unless they’ve been washed and scrubbed. You should also change wooden chopping boards regularly, as germs can take up residence within the wood. It’s a good idea to use these for display/presentation purposes only and avoid placing raw or juicy meats on top.
Clean your drawer
Despite your best efforts, utensils or dirty hands can transfer dirt, grime, and germs into the drawers where you store your utensils. Do a regular spray or a natural multipurpose cleaner and wipe down of your drawers to keep them clean and tidy.
Prepare and heat food properly
Make sure you follow recipe instructions, cook food through correctly, and heat leftovers so they’re hot all the way through.
Keep cooking and serving utensil separate
Use fresh utensils for serving meals. I know it creates additional dishes, but it’s better than risking transfer of bacteria.
Buy quality and check regularly
Good quality kitchen utensils will last a lifetime. As utensils degrade, bacteria and food scraps can be stuck in between joins or inside hollow handles and create a factory of unhealthy bugs. Toss out degrading utensils and replace with quality items!
What else can you do to help keep utensils clean, tidy, and germ-free?