It’s no secret that one of the keys to preparing healthy meals is to have a clean Kitchen. After all, you wouldn’t want to prepare a meal in a dirty environment, would you? An unclean kitchen not only looks and smells bad but can also ruin the quality of the Food, no matter how nutritious the food is. Thus, when it comes to food hygiene, there can be no compromises. A dirty cooking space can lead to all sorts of problems, from ruining your ingredients to making you and your family members sick. Here are a few tips to help you keep your kitchen clean and safe.

Start with a clean slate. Before you begin cooking, take a few minutes to clear off your countertops and stovetop. Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, or crumbs. This will help create a clean surface for you to work on and will also prevent contaminants from being transferred from surfaces to your food.

Keep raw meat away from other foods. When storing Raw Meat, be sure to keep it away from other food items, as this will help prevent the spread of bacteria that could cause food poisoning. Further, ensure to clean them thoroughly before cooking.

Wash your hands often. One simplest but most effective way to keep your kitchen clean is to wash your hands regularly while cooking. Remember to wash them before you start cooking, after handling raw meat, and after coming into contact with any dirty surfaces. Use hot water and soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds each time. Dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel when finished.

Sanitize cutting boards and countertops. Cutting boards and countertops can become covered in bacteria if they’re not properly sanitized between uses. To clean and disinfect cutting boards, use hot water and soap or run them through the dishwasher. To clean countertops, use a mixture of 1 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water or store-bought cleaners made specifically for counters.

Keep utensils and dishes clean. Dirty dishes can harbor harmful bacteria that may contaminate food or make you sick if ingested. Make some time to thoroughly wash utensils, such as knives, forks, spoons, stirring tools, etc., in hot water and soap.

Store food items properly. Most leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking, as should perishable items such as milk, cheese, and eggs be stored in the fridge.

Regularly purge expired items. Spoiled food not only tastes bad, but it can also make you sick. It’s for this reason that you should toss out expired items regularly.

Clean as you work. One of the best ways to keep your kitchen clean is by cleaning as you use it. Wipe up spills right away, and put dirty dishes in the sink instead of letting them sit on the counter.

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