Keep Your Kitchen Clean This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, your calendar is likely filling with events. Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or preparing sides to bring to a Christmas lunch, your kitchen is the center of much of the activity. Consider small actions you can take to ensure continued cleanliness as you cook and bake.

Create clean spaces wherever you can

Carve out time to deep clean your pantry and refrigerator. Throw away expired products and make a note of items you already have and won’t need to purchase for upcoming events.

Spills and leaks are inevitable, especially in the refrigerator. Once you have removed any old or expired food products, use food contact surface disinfecting wipes to clean shelves, drawers, and bins. This removes visible soil as well as unseen bacteria that can multiply where food is stored.

If you are hosting an event, run and empty your dishwasher before it begins. Having an empty sink and dishwasher will simplify clean-up and provide a space for dirty dishes so they don’t clutter your counter or table.

Keep odors at bay

• Microwave: The odor of food splatters in the microwave is magnified by the heat that the appliance produces. Use food contact surface disinfecting wipes to clean the inside and outside of your microwave. Remember to pay close attention to high-touch surfaces, such as handle and buttons.

• Garbage disposal: The consistently wet environment of a garbage disposal provides the ideal environment for bacteria. Before cleaning, unplug the disposal to avoid any dangers. Begin by cleaning the outside section of the disposal with disinfecting wipes. Once this area is thoroughly disinfected, turn your attention to the inside of the disposal. Food particles that are lodged on the blades contribute to odors. Fill the disposal with ice cubes and plug it back in. Turn on cold water and run the disposal until the ice cubes completely disintegrate. The ice cubes will remove any particles clinging to the blades without causing damage.

• Trash can: Although trash bags are replaced often, the kitchen trash can itself is a hotspot for bacteria and viruses. Drips, spills, and even poor aim allow food particles to settle on the surface of the bin. Use disinfecting wipes to clean the outside, inside, and lid of your trash can. To avoid odors returning, baking soda can be sprinkled into a new plastic trash can liner to absorb smells.

Keep surfaces truly clean

Ensure that your kitchen surfaces are correctly disinfected by using EPA-registered cleaning products and by following the correct dwell time on the label instructions. Wipe your counters after you finish preparing food, especially after handling foods that can spread harmful germs, including raw meat, eggs, and raw shellfish.

Ensure a healthy holiday season

You can take steps to maintain a healthy and germ-free environment in your kitchen this holiday season. Prepare with necessary cleaning supplies, such as hand soap and disinfecting wipes, to prevent the spread of contaminants. In addition, remember to use food contact surface disinfecting wipes on any surfaces that your food items will touch.