Did you know that if your refrigerator and freezer don’t get enough air circulation, they can breed bacteria? What about how food will rot in your fridge if the temperature is too high? These are just some of the most overlooked kitchen issues that many people may not be aware of. To keep your kitchen clean and healthy, make sure to read on so you can avoid these mistakes!
1) Tap Water
It may seem harmless to use tap water when you are cleaning your dishes or cooking with it, but make sure to only do so if the water is filtered. If the tap water is not filtered, it can be home to a lot of bacteria, which can be transferred to the dishes of the food you are cooking. Tap water is safer when it’s filtered, especially if you live in a big city, Las Vegas or New York City for example, where there are a lot of contaminants in the water. Make sure to have a filter on your tap so that you don’t expose yourself or your family to any of these harmful contaminants or bacteria.
2) Dishwasher
If you are using a dishwasher, make sure you keep it clean! Between uses, wash the filter and remove any standing water to prevent bacteria growth. Make sure the dishwasher is at its hottest setting when in use to kill any lingering bacteria that may still be present after washing. Having bacteria in a dishwasher can cause you to get sick or have other serious health problems.
3) Refrigerator
Make sure you keep your refrigerator clean; remember that the inside of the door is where people usually grab items from, so make sure to wash it often. It’s also wise to make sure there is enough air circulation in your refrigerator. If there isn’t enough airflow, food can rot and smell quickly – yuck! This will only make your fridge smell bad and make it look dirty. To avoid any of this, make sure you take a look at the manual for your refrigerator and see if there is an adjuster for the airflow. Also, make sure the temperature is set to a comfortable temperature for food storage. If the fridge has been set to an uncomfortable level, you could end up with bad-smelling and harmful bacteria as well.
4) Microwave
It’s good to use your microwave often to heat your food or even cook it, but make sure to clean it after each use! To prevent any bacteria growth, make sure to wipe down the inside of the microwave after each use. You can even put a little bit of lemon juice in some water and heat it for about three minutes to kill any lingering bacteria that may be present in your microwave.
5) Cutting Board
If your cutting board hasn’t been cleaned recently and has turned slightly slimy, make sure to clean it well or even get rid of it. To get rid of the slime and clean the cutting board, make sure to wash with hot soapy water and scrub it down with a brush to keep all of those harmful contaminants away. There can be a lot of bacteria on it if you’re not cleaning your cutting board after every single use. If there are cracks in the board it is also a good idea to get rid of it and buy a new one because bacteria can be found in those little grooves. Make sure to keep a separate cutting board for fruits and vegetables and another one for meat products. This will prevent any contaminations.
6) Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is a pretty useful appliance to have, but make sure it’s clean before you use it! If you want to clean out the inside of your garbage disposal, make sure you put ice cubes and a little bit of dish soap down the drain. This will dislodge any remaining food particles that might have stuck around the blades. By using your garbage disposal this way, you will also avoid any bacteria growth that can occur quickly if it’s not cleaned out after every use.
A kitchen is a busy place, and there are plenty of things that can go wrong if you’re not paying attention. Did you know it’s possible for your fridge to breed bacteria? Or how about the fact that dishwashers have filters – which need to be cleaned out regularly in order to avoid bacterial growth? That’s why we want you to take a look at these overlooked kitchen issues before they become a bigger problem for your health. Make sure you don’t forget any of these important tips when cooking or cleaning up.
