February 23, 2012 by linnettegoard

Is your kitchen the hub for activity?  Does your family socialize, do homework, read the mail and generally congregate around the kitchen table or island?  With all the activity going on have you ever stopped to think about how clean this space is?

Before putting food on these surfaces make sure they are clean.  There are some simple steps to follow to make sure they are safe for your family. Follow this advice from The Ohio State University’s website:  foodsafety.osu.edu

  • Start by cleaning your counters, sinks or utensils with soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly.
  • Second, spray the rinsed surface with a sanitizer.
    • To make a sanitizer, start with 6% chlorine bleach.  Check the label for the list of active ingredients.  Add 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach to 1 quart water in a spray bottle.  (foodsafety.osu.edu also offers alternative sanitizer solutions)
    • Spray the clean and rinsed kitchen surface and let air dry.
    • If you are in a hurry, dry with a clean paper towel. Throw the used paper towel away.

Keep your family and your food safe.

Author:  Linnette Goard, Field Specialist, Food Safety, Selection and Management, Ohio State University Extension.