To keep your kitchen safe, it's really important to clean your cooking tools properly. Here are some easy steps to help you do just that:
Pre-Wash: First, rinse your utensils under hot water. This will help get rid of leftover food. Just rinsing can remove about 48% of harmful germs.
Use Hot, Soapy Water: Next, wash your utensils with soap and hot water (make sure it’s at least 110°F). This helps remove grease and dirt. Studies say that just using soap can cut bacteria by up to 99%.
Sanitize: After washing, use a sanitizing solution. A simple mix is 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid bleach in one gallon of water. Soak your utensils for at least 2 minutes to make sure they are really clean.
Air Dry: Let your utensils air dry instead of using a towel. Towels can have germs on them. The CDC says air drying is 100% better at stopping the spread of germs.
Regular Replacement: It’s a good idea to replace cutting boards and utensils every 2 to 4 years. This helps reduce the chance of germs hiding in them.
Check Temperature: If you use a thermometer, make sure it's clean before you use it, especially when switching between different food types. This can help prevent 70% of food-related illnesses linked to germs spreading from one food to another.
By following these simple steps, you can help keep your kitchen safe and your food clean. This is especially important since about 1 in 6 Americans gets sick each year from foodborne illnesses.
To keep your kitchen safe, it's really important to clean your cooking tools properly. Here are some easy steps to help you do just that:
Pre-Wash: First, rinse your utensils under hot water. This will help get rid of leftover food. Just rinsing can remove about 48% of harmful germs.
Use Hot, Soapy Water: Next, wash your utensils with soap and hot water (make sure it’s at least 110°F). This helps remove grease and dirt. Studies say that just using soap can cut bacteria by up to 99%.
Sanitize: After washing, use a sanitizing solution. A simple mix is 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid bleach in one gallon of water. Soak your utensils for at least 2 minutes to make sure they are really clean.
Air Dry: Let your utensils air dry instead of using a towel. Towels can have germs on them. The CDC says air drying is 100% better at stopping the spread of germs.
Regular Replacement: It’s a good idea to replace cutting boards and utensils every 2 to 4 years. This helps reduce the chance of germs hiding in them.
Check Temperature: If you use a thermometer, make sure it's clean before you use it, especially when switching between different food types. This can help prevent 70% of food-related illnesses linked to germs spreading from one food to another.
By following these simple steps, you can help keep your kitchen safe and your food clean. This is especially important since about 1 in 6 Americans gets sick each year from foodborne illnesses.