Easy Ways to Clean Your Kitchen of E. Coli and Salmonella Bacteria

Easy Ways To Clean Your Kitchen of E. coli and Salmonella Bacteria

We are becoming increasingly aware of just how harmful food borne pathogens can be. There are approximately 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses annually, and most of those occur from pathogens in our own homes. Your kitchen is a potential breeding ground for millions of harmful bacteria. Follow these basic “kitchen rules” and you will drastically reduce the risk of spreading the E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter bacteria throughout your kitchen.

Rule 1

Throw away ALL sponges and use washcloths instead. Change these out at least every other day. If you’ve used your kitchen sponge longer than two or three days, it’s teeming with millions of bacteria, namely E. coli and salmonella. Just get rid of them!

Rule 2

Launder and microwave dishcloths regularly.

Rule 3

Use wooden cutting boards over plastic or rubber cutting boards. Cellulose in wood absorbs bacteria but will not re-lease it. Scientists have never been able to get bacteria down in the wood back up on the knife to contaminate food later. Plastic cutting boards are not 100% safe. Bacteria does get into the little knife cuts made in the plastic. While 90% of the bacteria die in a dishwasher during the drying period, 10% don’t die and can live for weeks.

Rule 4

Wash your hands in hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before you begin preparing food. This not only rinses off the surface bacteria, but also makes it difficult for bacteria to cling to your skin. Wash them again after you touch raw meat, fish or vegetables.

Rule 5

Make sure the water in your dishwasher is hotter than 140 degrees or bacteria will survive. If the water temperature is lower than that, bacteria on a plastic cutting board will actually be spread around to other items in the dishwasher.

Rule 6

Wipe your kitchen counters ONLY when necessary. People who wipe their counters frequently often spread bacteria in the process.

A little knowledge goes a long way. Keeping your kitchen clean by following these basic kitchen rules will protect you and your family from these harmful and sometimes fatal pathogens.