Your kitchen can look spotless yet still have a few places where germs, moisture, and food residue collect. Many of the things you use every day come into contact with food, so giving them regular attention is just as important as washing your hands before you cook.
The good part is that most of these trouble spots are easy to deal with. A few extra minutes of cleaning can help keep your kitchen fresher and reduce the spread of bacteria.
Sponges and Dishcloths
Sponges and dishcloths stay damp and pick up food bits, which gives bacteria plenty of opportunity to grow. Rinse them thoroughly after use, let them dry completely, and replace them regularly to keep them in good condition.
Related: 10 Things You Should Stop Keeping on Your Bed
Cutting Boards
Cutting boards can develop tiny grooves over time, and those grooves may trap food particles and bacteria. Use separate boards for raw meat and produce when possible, wash them with hot, soapy water after each use, and replace any board with deep cuts.
Refrigerator Door Handles
The refrigerator handle gets touched throughout the day, often while cooking or handling food. Wipe it down regularly with an appropriate kitchen cleaner, especially after preparing raw meat or poultry.
Coffee Makers
Coffee makers stay warm and damp inside, which can create a good setting for mold and bacteria if the machine is ignored. Cleaning the reservoir and other removable parts regularly, along with running the manufacturer-recommended cleaning cycle, can help keep buildup under control.
Related: 18 pointless things to get rid of right now
Can Openers
The cutting wheel on a can opener touches the food inside every can, so bits of food can collect around it. Wash the opener with warm, soapy water after each use and let it dry before putting it away.
Salad Spinners
Salad spinners can hold onto moisture and small bits of greens around the basket, lid, and other parts. Take the pieces apart when the design allows, wash them well, and let everything dry fully before storing.
Kitchen Counters
Countertops see everything from grocery bags to raw meat packages and fresh produce during a typical day. Clean them after preparing meals, especially after handling raw meat, to keep food residue and germs from spreading around your kitchen.
Related: 12 things taking up way too much space in your home
Reusable Grocery Bags
Reusable grocery bags get carried back and forth between stores and kitchens, so spills and food residue can build up inside them. Wash fabric bags according to the care label, and wipe down insulated bags after shopping, especially if anything leaks.
Related: Are You Supposed to Bag Your Own Groceries at Trader Joe’s?
Pet Bowls
Pet food and water bowls can collect leftover food and remain damp for long periods, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Wash them daily with hot, soapy water, and clean the surrounding floor or counter if food or water spills.
Microwave
Food splatters can quickly build up inside a microwave, especially after heating soups, sauces, or other messy foods. Wipe the interior regularly and clean up spills as soon as you notice them to keep odors and baked-on residue from becoming a bigger job.
