The kitchen is probably one of the busiest areas in your home and the dirtiest. Its exposure to elements, such as moisture, heat, and food, promotes the growth of bacteria. Items like raw meat and unwashed fruits and vegetables may also carry microorganisms that put your health at risk.
- Although regular cleaning helps to reduce germs lying around your cooking area, some bacteria stay and are difficult to remove. Hiring professional cleaning services is often necessary to keep your home clean and prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Kitchens Contain Harmful Bacteria
The kitchen can be a breeding ground for various bacteria. They can spread from surface to surface and may also get into your food, potentially causing foodborne illnesses. The most common bacteria found in the kitchen include:
- E. Coli – this comes from contaminated food, such as raw fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized milk and juice, and undercooked ground beef, among others. If you’re infected with E. Coli, you’re likely to experience severe diarrhea and little or no fever.
- Salmonella – certain food items, including vegetables, chicken, pork, and eggs, carry these bacteria. Infections may cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever that last four to seven days.
- Listeria – this usually comes from raw milk and dairy products, ready-to-eat deli meats and hot dogs, and refrigerated pates and meat spreads. Symptoms are similar to other foodborne germs. You may also experience invasive listeriosis, which indicates the bacteria have spread beyond the gut.
Viruses and bacteria also spread through hand-to-hand or hand-to-food contacts. Infected individuals can pass their illness on to others by handling food. That’s why it’s essential to wash your hands and kitchen surfaces regularly.
Kitchen Areas With the Most Bacteria
Certain areas of your kitchen hold several bacteria, and you’re likely to miss cleaning these spots. Here are the areas you should pay attention to when cleaning your kitchen:
• Sink – microbes are likely to stick on the surface despite the amount of water that runs through the sink. They often stay in the sink crevices, around the drain, and garbage disposal stoppers. A National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) study shows 45 percent of kitchen sinks contained Coliform bacteria, including E. Coli and Salmonella.
• Sponges and fabric dishtowels – although they help reduce the use of paper towels that have an impact on the environment, the same NSF study reveals 75 percent of these materials had some Coliform bacteria. It’s best to wash them in hot water after every use to keep it clean.
• Doorknobs, cabinet handles, and touchpads – you likely touch them after handling raw food or before washing your hands, contaminating them with bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella. Use a disinfectant wipe or spray-on cleaner when cleaning these parts of your kitchen to kill the bacteria.
Busy homeowners often don’t have enough time to deep clean their kitchen, which put your health and your loved ones’ at risk of foodborne illnesses. If this is the case, call a professional to kill the bacteria and viruses lurking around your kitchen and other parts of your home.
Work With Reliable Cleaning Professionals
Mya Cleaning Services LLC will help keep your kitchen spotless through comprehensive house cleaning services in Los Angeles. We have a team of professional cleaners who deliver services that go beyond your expectations. We also use eco-friendly cleaning products, keeping you and the environment safe.
Contact us today to get a free quote and $20 off on your first home cleaning service from us.
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