We spend a lot of time thinking about keeping the kitchen clean. We wash our hands, rinse produce, wipe down counters, and clean the dishes. But some of the things we use to prepare and store food can be easy to overlook.
Kitchen tools can collect food bits, grease, moisture, and bacteria, especially when they have deep scratches, cracks, small crevices, or parts that are hard to reach. Some may also become a problem as they get older and start to wear out.
A little extra cleaning can help, and sometimes the best option is simply replacing a worn-out item. Here are 13 everyday kitchen tools worth checking.
Reusable Grocery Bags
Reusable grocery bags are handy, but they can get pretty dirty. Think about everything that goes inside them. Produce can leave behind dirt and moisture, while packages of raw meat can leak juices that soak into the fabric.
If you use reusable bags often, give them a regular wash instead of tossing them back in the car after every grocery trip. Fabric bags can usually go in the washing machine, while other materials may need to be wiped down by hand.
It also helps to keep bags used for raw meat separate from the ones you use for bread, produce, and other ready-to-eat foods.
Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick pans can last for years, but they don’t stay in good shape forever. Scratches, peeling, and warping are signs that a pan may need to be replaced.
Traditional PTFE nonstick coatings can also produce fumes if a pan is severely overheated. Normal cooking temperatures are generally not a problem, but leaving an empty pan over high heat is something to avoid.
If the coating on your pan is damaged, replacing it is usually a better choice than trying to get a few more months out of it. Stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic-coated cookware are other options.
Stainless steel can be a good choice if you want cookware that doesn’t rely on a nonstick coating.
Silicone Baking Mats
Silicone baking mats make cleanup easier, but they can hold onto grease from repeated baking. A quick rinse may leave an oily film behind, especially after cooking foods with a lot of butter or oil.
Wash silicone mats with hot, soapy water after each use and give them a good scrub without using anything abrasive that could damage the surface. If a mat still feels greasy or smells strange after washing, it may be time to replace it.
This is one of those kitchen items where taking an extra minute to clean it well can save you from carrying old food residue into your next batch of cookies or roasted vegetables.
Plastic Cutting Boards
Plastic cutting boards don’t stay smooth forever. After years of chopping, the surface can become covered with little knife marks and grooves.
Those cuts can hold onto food particles and moisture, making the board harder to clean. If the surface is heavily scarred, stained, or difficult to scrub clean, replacing it is a good idea.
Wash cutting boards after every use, especially after preparing raw meat. It’s also a good idea to use separate boards for raw meat and foods that won’t be cooked.
Wooden boards are another option. A quality wood cutting board can be cleaned and maintained, and some can be sanded when the surface becomes rough.
Graters
A cheese grater looks easy enough to clean until you get food stuck in all those tiny holes.
Cheese, garlic, vegetables, and other foods can cling to the inside and outside of the grater. If the residue sits there for too long, it can dry and become much harder to remove.
Try cleaning your grater soon after using it. A small brush can help get into the holes without forcing your fingers near the sharp edges. If the grater becomes badly bent, rusty, or difficult to clean, replacing it makes sense.
Plastic Food Storage Containers
Plastic containers are convenient, but older containers can become scratched, stained, and difficult to clean.
Heat is another thing to watch. Not every plastic container is meant for the microwave, and older containers may not be suitable for repeated heating. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before microwaving food in plastic.
If a container is badly scratched, cracked, warped, or holding onto smells that won’t go away, it’s probably time to let it go. Glass containers are another option, especially for foods that will be reheated.
Wooden Utensils
Wooden spoons and spatulas can last a long time, but they need a little care. Wood can absorb moisture, and cracks or splits can give food residue places to collect.
Don’t leave wooden utensils sitting in a sink full of water. Wash them after use and let them dry completely before putting them away.
Take a close look at older wooden utensils from time to time. If the wood is cracked, splintering, or starting to break apart, replace it.
Dish Sponges
There’s a reason kitchen sponges have such a bad reputation. They stay wet, they’re full of tiny openings, and they’re constantly picking up food particles.
A sponge that’s used day after day can become a place for bacteria to grow. Rinsing it under the faucet isn’t enough to keep it fresh forever.
Replace sponges often and let them dry between uses. Some people also use washable dishcloths that can go through the laundry after use. Whichever option you prefer, the main thing is to avoid letting a damp sponge sit around for days.
Blender Gaskets
The rubber gasket underneath a blender blade is easy to forget. It’s tucked away where you can’t see it during normal use, but food and liquid can get underneath it.
If you only rinse the blender jar and blades, you may miss what’s hiding around the gasket. Over time, trapped moisture and food residue can lead to unpleasant smells or mold.
Check your blender’s instructions and take apart the removable pieces after use when the manufacturer allows it. Wash the gasket and let everything dry before putting the blender back together.
Knife Blocks
A knife block keeps your knives organized, but those narrow slots don’t always get much attention during kitchen cleaning.
Crumbs, dust, and small bits of food can fall into the slots. Putting a wet knife back into the block can also leave moisture trapped inside.
Take the knives out regularly and clean the block according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Let knives dry completely before putting them away.
If your knife block is difficult to clean or the slots stay damp, a magnetic knife strip can be another way to store your knives.
Cast Iron Pans
Cast iron gets a lot of love because it can last for generations, but it still needs proper care.
A cast iron pan with old, rancid oil buildup can leave an unpleasant taste on food. Rust is another problem if the pan has been left wet or the seasoning has broken down.
Clean the pan after cooking, dry it completely, and give it a light coat of oil when needed. If you spot rust, deal with it before using the pan again.
How to remove rust can help if your pan has started showing signs of corrosion.
Reusable Straws
Reusable straws are great for cutting down on disposable ones, but their narrow interiors can be surprisingly difficult to clean.
Drinks can leave behind milk, juice, smoothie residue, or other bits that you can’t see from the outside. Simply rinsing the straw may leave some of that residue behind.
Use a small straw brush to clean the inside after each use. Wash the straw thoroughly and let it dry completely before storing it.
Silicone and metal straws can both last a long time, but they still need regular cleaning.
Salad Spinners
Salad spinners have several pieces that can hold onto water after you’ve finished washing your greens. The basket, lid, grooves, and other small areas may stay damp long after the outside feels dry.
Take the spinner apart as much as the manufacturer allows and wash the pieces after use. Let them dry fully before putting everything away.
A salad spinner doesn’t need to be thrown out just because it has several parts. It just needs the same attention you give other kitchen tools that have hard-to-reach areas.
