How to Make Your Kitchen Healthier
An effective kitchen requires more than fresh produce and whole grains in its refrigerator; it must also include the appropriate storage methods and cooking tools that ensure food safety.
Staying on track with your health goals requires having access to tools. Building this healthier environment takes some work but will pay dividends later on.
Clean Your Countertops
Even though the kitchen worktop get the brunt of all kitchen use, they still can be damaged over time. Therefore, it’s essential that you understand how best to maintain and clean them based on each material’s specific cleaning requirements.
Quartz surfaces require extra care and attention because harsh chemicals can strip their elegant finish, so to maintain optimal conditions for these surfaces it’s best to scrub with mild dish soap and use soft sponges without using any other forms of scouring pads or other abrasives such as scouring pads or similar items.
If your countertops are susceptible to grease build-up, try spraying with undiluted white vinegar or an antimicrobial cleaner such as Krud Kutter. Butcher block countertops can be kept hygienic by periodically sealing them with food-grade mineral oil; this will not only make their wood appear glowing and prevent staining but it will also keep hygienically sealed!
Clean Your Sink
Kitchen sinks can become breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. You must regularly disinfect your sink as well as ensure it has been thoroughly sanitized.
Sprinkle baking soda over your sink and scrub it using a nonabrasive sponge, then try hydrogen peroxide – which works without an eye-watering bleach stench – to lift stains from stains in your sink. Rinse out with water before drying your sink with a soft microfiber cloth.
If your sinks are made from stainless steel, use Affresh stainless-steel brightener1 to remove heat discoloration and keep your sink shiny. Also use this product regularly to help avoid rust and grime buildup while protecting against corrosion of drain pipes to reduce stubborn stains – adding regular cleaning sessions can keep your kitchen hygienic and looking brand new!
Clean Your Dishwasher
As much as it might be counter-intuitive to think of cleaning an appliance designed to clean dishes as something needing regular maintenance, even the best dishwasher requires periodic servicing to prevent soap scum build-up that causes foul odors and may clog its drainage channels.
Baking soda can make short work of tough food waste residue. Add one cup to an empty dishwasher, and run its hot water cycle to eliminate hard-water spots and odors caused by persistent food debris.
Unlock and remove the filter on the back of your dishwasher before scrubbing it with an old soft toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water or vinegar solution. Depending on its condition, it may also be necessary to scrub racks, gaskets and dispensers as part of this cleaning procedure.
Clean Your Fridge
Keep your refrigerator organized to encourage healthy eating, with plenty of non-starchy vegetables, protein-rich foods like tempeh and tofu as well as snacks full of healthy fats such as nuts and seeds. Be sure to add fresh herbs for flavoring the dishes and homemade dressings for the vegetables!
Every week, empty the refrigerator and wash removable shelves, drawers and bins using warm water and dish soap. Be sure to allow glass or plastic components to reach room temperature prior to subjecting them to hot water; doing this can prevent cracking and splintering of their components.
For tough sticky messes, try using Scrub Daddy sponges or Weiman stainless steel cleaner. Both products can help eliminate bacteria that collects on fridge surfaces.
Clean Your Stove
Stovetops can quickly become covered in sticky, oily debris. A daily wipe-down with a damp cloth should suffice in preventing these from hardening into hardened or baked-on spots; however, each week it is also important to dedicate a dedicated time and place for deeper cleaning sessions.
Once your stove is cool, spray its surface with vinegar and liberally sprinkle baking soda onto it. Allow this combination to sit for 15 minutes before wiping away. For tougher stains, combine two parts baking soda with one part vinegar in a paste form before applying it directly on the spot for 20 minutes before scrubbing off any residual material left behind.
If you need to scrape, be careful not to use anything metal that might scratch glass or ceramic surfaces, such as an edge of a knife. Plastic scrapers and spatulas may be better alternatives.
Clean Your Microwave
While selecting nutritious foods and creating well-balanced meals are integral components of maintaining a healthy kitchen, your entire house must also support these habits. From fridges that preserve nutrients in food to countertops and fixtures that reduce bacteria buildup, all can play an integral part in supporting these initiatives.
Cleaning your microwave depends on its usage; however, weekly scrubbing should be sufficient to keep grease build-up and food stains at bay. Begin with a solution of window cleaner diluted in water, dip your sponge or cloth into it and start scrubbing both the interior and exterior surfaces of the appliance.
Vinegar is an indispensable kitchen cleaner that can cut through grease and remove stubborn stains with ease. Keep a bottle on hand, so that when cleaning comes knocking at your door you are always prepared!
Clean Your Oven
An unclean oven can be a fire hazard and hamper your efforts to cook healthier meals. Furthermore, an untidy appliance tends to make us reach for whatever foods are closest, leading to overeating of junk foods that remain visible to us due to psychological biases. Therefore, to get your kitchen into shape for eating healthily again you should discard junk foods in favor of nutritious options like edamame, rice cakes, fruits or hummus instead.
To clean your oven, combine baking soda and water into a spray bottle and apply to its interior surface, paying special attention to grease-laden areas. Allow this solution to sit overnight before wiping clean with damp cloth or sponge.
