We are in the midst of a global pandemic caused by the coronavirus outbreak and the emphasis on practicing proper hygiene and sanitation is more important than ever. The coronavirus can be transmitted by person-to-person contact and the pathogens can live on surfaces for hours. The good news is it is vulnerable to disinfection which means you can keep your household safe, particularly areas where bacteria tend to accumulate such as your kitchen.
In times like these, people have to be reminded of the importance of sanitizing their kitchen. It’s where you prepare and cook the food you eat. It’s one of the most frequently used areas in the house, which means you touch kitchen surfaces and kitchenware constantly more so than now since everyone is at home.
Prevent contamination by maintaining a sanitary kitchen and making sure that the food you prepare for cooking is clean. Keep yourself and everyone living with you safe from all possible harm that they can get from an unsanitary area. Read on to learn the best ways to disinfect food and your kitchen amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
Clean first
First things first, you have to clean your kitchen. Cleaning removes dirt and the organisms that stick with it. Clean all the commonly used surfaces such as your kitchen counter, dining table if you have an eat-in kitchen, the lazy susan, stove knobs, refrigerator handles, chopping boards alike.
Simple soap and water will do the trick. It’s better if you can make a checklist of all the surfaces that need to be cleaned so you don’t miss anything. To clean the sponge that you used for cleaning your kitchen, you can simply put it in the dishwasher together with your dishes.
Start disinfecting
After cleaning the surfaces, the next step is to disinfect. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, diluted bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or 70% isopropyl alcohol can terminate the coronavirus. Disinfectants are available in spraying products and commercial wipes.
Both variants of disinfectants are effective. In case you run out of supplies, you can make your own disinfecting solution using water and bleach. Just mix 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
Follow instructions and use suitable disinfectant for different surfaces
In terms of the best surfaces for bleach, countertops of engineered quartz can tolerate the recommended diluted bleach solution, but older countertops with a sealant will not. Read the packaging or the labels in the container of the disinfectant to know which surfaces you can use.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for effective application. Read the product label to see how long you have to leave the disinfectant as is after using it on a surface. The time varies depending on the product, some may require 30 seconds while others might need a few minutes.
Transfer food to clean containers
You may want to transfer foods like whole grains, pasta, cereals, and other similar items to a clean container. This way, you don’t have to worry about the possibility of spreading a virus from the container it came in with. If you don’t have to disinfect any of your other containers, you can leave them in a designated corner for about three days, particularly those made of cardboard since viruses can’t live in them.
Rinse produce as usual
For produce, just rinsing them will do. There is no need to soak them in a sanitizing solution. According to a study by the European Food Safety Authority, respiratory viruses do not tend to reproduce via the digestive tract, plus there are no known instances of the produce of food transferring the coronavirus.
Wash your hands thoroughly
After you’re done disinfecting and cleaning, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water. Dry them with a clean towel once you’re finished.
Summary
Disinfecting your food and your kitchen is simple and easy. Be sure to clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and follow the instructions indicated on the disinfectant for proper use. It’s important that you do this frequently especially nowadays that everyone is under quarantine, not just your kitchen but the entire house to ensure sanitation to protect yourselves from the coronavirus.