Whether you’re regularly cooking in the kitchen or not, it’s one of the rooms in your house that needs the most attention. Learn how often you should clean and disinfect the kitchen and why it’s more important this time of year.

How Clean is Your Kitchen?

From food prep and eating to regularly gathering in the space, a kitchen gets a lot of foot traffic on a daily basis. Cleaning and disinfecting this space is important for maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of germs around your home. But how often should you clean? Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

Daily Cleaning

1. Wipe down countertops after prepping food to clear crumbs.
2. Clean spills immediately.
3. Clear dishes from the sink to prevent bacteria buildup.

Weekly Cleaning

1. Wipe the exterior of regularly used appliances like the fridge, microwave, and oven.
2. Clean splatters on the interior of the microwave.
3. Disinfect high-touch surfaces such as handles and light switches.
4. Sweep the floor.
5. Take out the trash.
6. Wash dishcloths and replace sponges.

Monthly Cleaning

1. Remove expired items from the fridge, freezer, pantry, and cabinets.
2. Wipe down shelves and drawers.
3. Mop the floor.

Seasonal Cleaning

1. Deep clean appliances, including behind the heavy ones.
2. Clean range hood fans and filters.
3. Declutter and reorganize cabinet storage.

If you regularly take care of the daily tasks, the weekly and monthly cleanings should go smoothly. Whether you use store-bought cleaners or natural cleaning solutions, spot clean any surface before using a new product. Make sure you properly ventilate the area before using any chemicals to clean. Don’t forget to regularly clean and replace tools such as scrubbing brushes, cloths, and gloves.

Why Now is the Time to Clean and Disinfect the Kitchen

With one holiday down and a month’s worth to go, this time of year is often when more people gather indoors to share memories, not germs. All the kitchen prep can lead to dirtier surfaces, appliances, and utensils, making cleaning a more important chore.

Not only are you cleaning to keep your family and guests healthy and comfortable, but you also want to prevent pests from visiting. While they’re looking for a warm place to spend the winter, a dirty kitchen is their ideal destination.

When the windows and doors are shut to keep out the pests and cold, it also reduces air circulation. Not only does this trap odors and germs, but it can cause cooking steam and condensation to create an ideal environment for mold and bacteria growth.

It’s also the start of cold and flu season. Germs easily spread around the house and stick to kitchen surfaces. Regularly disinfecting can help reduce the buildup of bacteria-causing viruses.

Focus on keeping your kitchen clean before and after holiday festivities to continue to celebrate the season in good health. Consider opening the windows briefly to help improve air circulation, especially while cooking. Make sure the fridge is at the right temperature to keep leftovers cold so it doesn’t spoil quickly. Sanitize surfaces more frequently this time of year and help keep colds away.

For help with keeping your kitchen its cleanest this season, enlist the jolly team at JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care. From tile and grout cleaning to disinfecting services, we’ll have your space spotless and ready to welcome guests while leaving germs out in the cold.