Spring cleaning is a chance to declutter, deep clean and reset your living space after the long winter months; it’s a big job that covers every room in the house.
However, some areas of your home may need more attention than others. In fact, the kitchen can be a hotspot for germs and bacteria. Dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria can quickly spread via food, utensils or surfaces if you aren't careful.
To help, using information from a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, we have mapped the bacteria hotspots in the kitchen and included our top tips for tackling these germy areas.
Bacteria Heatmap
Bacteria Breakdown
A dirty kitchen is a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Cross-contamination from surfaces like countertops, cutting boards, and sponges transfers harmful bacteria to food, leading to health issues like mild digestive discomfort to severe, life-threatening conditions.
The most common culprits of bacterial foodborne illnesses that can spread in the kitchen are Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens and various strains of E. coli.
The study showed that the most populated surfaces for these types of bacteria are kitchen counters, whereas diverse communities of bacteria were associated with surfaces that may not be cleaned as often, such as extractor fans above stoves and refrigerator/freezer door seals. In contrast, the least diverse communities were observed in and around sinks and the hobs.
Regular cleaning and proper food handling are essential in minimising the risk of bacterial infections. Therefore, we have broken down the most important zones to deep clean around your kitchen to ensure no bacteria is going unseen.
Tackling the Kitchen Surfaces
Kitchen countertops are arguably the most cleaned surface in the kitchen, but they can also be the most dangerous.
1. Wipe up spills
To clean kitchen countertops effectively, wipe up spills as soon as they happen using a soft cloth or sponge with warm, soapy water.
2. Avoid abrasive pads
It’s best to avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive pads to limit the risk of damaging your countertop.
3. Use a lemon
For stubborn stains try cutting a lemon in half, sprinkling salt on one half and gently rub against the stain. However, if you have a natural stone countertop like granite and marble, make sure the juice doesn’t sit for more than two minutes as the acidity in the lemon can etch or stain the surface.
Alternatively, for granite, and other natural stone surfaces, including marble and limestone, use a proprietary cleaner as recommended by the manufacturer, then rinse with a damp cloth and dry. Always mop up spills from natural stone as soon as possible to prevent staining.
Cleaning the Extractor Fan
This isn’t going to be anyone’s favourite but if you’re in the mood for spring cleaning this should be one of the first on the list. Extractor fans in the kitchen are usually installed to help remove cooking smells and draw moisture and steam out of the room so they don’t escape to other areas of the home and cause issues like mould, damp or smells seeping into fabrics.
Like with most things if your extractor fan is dirty then it will impact its effectiveness to do the job well. Keep your extractor fan spick and span by following these six simple steps:
1. Turn the power off
2. Remove the filters and wash them with warm soapy water
3. Wipe down the fan blades and interior with a damp cloth and soapy water
4. Allow to completely dry and reassemble
Washing up liquid is great for this as it has anti-grease properties that will make it easier to remove any built-up grime.
It is recommended to do this every three months to keep them in good working order.
Guarantee a Fungi-Free Fridge
As the bacteria heatmap indicates our fridges are a breeding ground for bacteria; from rotten food, to skipped sealants, keeping a clean fridge is a kitchen essential.
Your fridge needs a deep clean every three to six months and it’s best to wait until it’s at its emptiest to tackle it.
Once your fridge is emptied, bacteria can multiply quickly at room temperature, so put dairy products, meat and other food that needs to be kept refrigerated in a cool bag packed with pre-chilled cool bag blocks.
Bin any food that is clearly past its prime and anything that is past its use-by date.
1. Remove the drawers and shelves
Take out the drawers and remove all the shelves, thoroughly washing them with hot water and washing-up liquid.
2. Remove any food residue
Use a toothpick to remove food residue that has collected in the joint between the surface of the shelf and the shelf surround. Alternatively, an old toothbrush can help with this.
For any shelves or drawers you can't remove, wipe them down with a clean cloth soaked in a cool solution of washing-up liquid and water, making sure it's thoroughly wrung out.
3. Don’t skip the grooves
Pay particular attention to the grooves on the sides of the fridge interior where the shelves rest, as they can be magnets for dirt. A cotton bud is a handy tool for getting old food out of these. Cotton buds are also useful for fiddly places, such as the drip hole at the back of the fridge, which can easily become clogged and grimy.
4. Dry thoroughly
Dry the inside of the fridge thoroughly using paper towels or a clean tea towel.
Keeping a Smell-Free Sink
While bacteria is less prominent around kitchen sinks, bad smells are more likely and are an instant turn off. While it’s generally something your nose will immediately pick up on, there are various preventative measures to keep bad smells at bay.
The stench in your kitchen sink is usually caused by the build up of small bits of food which fall down the drain after washing dishes. They can accumulate in your drainpipe, causing it to drain slowly or emit a rotten smell.
Here, we breakdown a number of ways to crack down on your sink smells.
1. Hot water
You can shift a blockage causing your kitchen sink to smell simply with hot water. Be careful with boiling water as this can cause marks and in some cases cracking with some sink surfaces. We recommend running the cold tap before pouring water down or make sure you’re pouring water directly down the drain.
Before you do this, try to remove as much of the water from the sink as possible and pour around 2 litres of hot to boiling water down the drain.
Once this has settled for 5 minutes, pour 2 litres of cold water into the drain, which should cause any remaining grease to congeal.
2. White vinegar
If this fails, use the trusty household staple white vinegar. Measure a cup of white vinegar and pour it directly down the drain. Allow it to work for around 30 minutes, then rinse the sink with hot water.
3. White vinegar and baking soda
If you’re still noticing bad smells after this, try mixing white vinegar with baking soda. First, pour half a cup of baking soda straight down the plughole. Then, follow that up with a cup of vinegar. These two should react to form a foamy solution. You can leave this solution to work for at least two hours before pouring some boiling water down the drain to clear it away. If it's worked, the solution should have flushed out whatever was causing your kitchen sink to smell.
Ceramic, composite and stainless steel sinks can be kept like new by cleaning regularly around the bowl with washing up liquid and hot water using a soft cloth. You can also use one of our Cramer polishes to get rid of small marks.
Tip Top Taps
With all the cooking, washing, and cleaning that happens in the kitchen, it's easy to forget that germs can linger on your taps.
When it comes to cleaning your kitchen tap, it’s important to avoid harsh chemicals that could scratch or dull its surface. Clean regularly with a damp, soft cloth to keep on top of stains and hard water marks.
Removing limescale
You can easily remove limescale with a 75/25 solution of lemon juice and water. Gently scrub the solution on the tap with a soft sponge and leave this to dissolve the limescale deposits for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.
Protecting your tap’s finish
If you’ve opted for a special finish tap such as matt black, chrome or brushed brass, it’s especially important to avoid using harsh chemicals such as vinegar when cleaning. Similar to above, warm soapy water is enough to preserve the coating of your tap but you can also clean with a 75/25 lemon juice and water solution for a tougher clean. It’s important to ensure this isn’t left on to soak for more than a couple of minutes before rinsing.
Never skip the aerator
Additionally, never skip the aerator. The aerator is the nozzle on the outlet of the tap faucet and it’s susceptible to limescale deposits which can disrupt the water flow and trap bacteria and minerals over time. To prevent germs from spreading through the water, make it a habit to remove and clean the aerator every couple of months.
Simply use a toothbrush to clean this nozzle, along with a solution of lemon juice and water. Keep repeating with a fresh application of lemon juice if the limescale persists.
Don’t forget the handle and spout
While cleaning the visible areas of your tap, don’t forget the often overlooked spots like the handle and the spout. These areas tend to harbour the most germs since they’re touched frequently. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the handle, spout, and base, ensuring that all surfaces are disinfected.
Ensuring an Effective Dishwasher
Smelly dishwashers can occur due to a dirty filter, mould on the gasket seal or a clogged drain. Not only can this lead to foul smells, but it can also reduce your appliance’s performance which can result in unclean dishes.
Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule can help prevent this from occurring.
1. Empty the dishwasher
Each dishwasher varies, but as a general rule, pull out the bottom rack and remove the filter. You should be able to find instructions on how to do this either in your dishwasher’s manual or online.
2. Clean the filter
Next, proceed to empty the filter of any leftover food and debris. Soak the filter in warm, soapy water, using a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub any stubborn dirt, before installing it back inside.
3. Clean the interior with white vinegar
To clean the interior, pour 250ml of white vinegar into a dishwasher safe container and place this upright in the lower rack of your machine. Run a normal cycle with the container inside and the heat dry option turned off. Once the cycle has finished, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom and run a hot water cycle. Repeat this on a monthly basis to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh and looking clean.
4. Don’t forget the gasket seals
Mould and mildew can easily grow in the crevices of the gasket seals, which can lead to a foul smelling dishwasher. To combat, make up a solution of warm water and soap and then use a sponge to wipe away any build up, followed by a clean towel to wipe dry.
Cleaning Your Air Fryer
Air fryers have steadily become a big favourite in many households. Not only are they more energy efficient, but they also provide a healthier cooking method for popular meals. But with all of that use, it’s vital to keep it clean to ensure food tastes its best and the air fryer stays in tip top working condition.
Whilst many of us may use this once or twice a day, it’s recommended to clean the baskets after every use to prevent it being a nightmare to scrub later.
Before washing your air fryer, make sure that you wipe around the basket with a clean kitchen towel as the last thing you want to do is pour grease and fat down the drain - this will only lead to bigger problems.
Here’s a step by step cleaning guide to keep your air fryer in great working order:
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Turn off your air fryer at the plug
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Fill your sink with hot, soapy water (dish soap is fine)
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Remove the basket and pop the tray in the sink to soak
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Wash with a traditional washing up pad that has a soft sponge and scourer side as using too much force could scratch the surface of your fryer. Do the same with the tray
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Then wipe over both the tray and the basket with a clean soft cloth
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Next, get a clean microfibre or soft cloth and soak it in warm water to wipe around the inside of the air fryer where the basket sits. You can even wipe around the heating element as long as it is completely cool before doing so
Save Money on Your Bills with a Clean Oven
It’s not only much more hygienic to keep your oven free of burnt food and grease, it can actually save money on your bills. When an oven is clean, it will heat up quicker thus needing less energy. Plus, it will maintain its temperature better which again helps to reduce energy consumption and saves you precious pounds on your bills.
Do you find you have to open the oven door to see how your food is coming along because you can’t see through the grease on the door? That act alone is allowing heat to escape and using up more energy.
The dreaded oven is often avoided as it can feel like an impossible task.
1. Wipe clean
Begin by wiping around the oven and hinges with a kitchen towel to remove any excess and loose food and dirt.
2. Apply your oven cleaner
If you’re using an oven cleaner, then apply to the interior of your oven paying close attention to the areas that are most affected. Let it sit for around 10-15 minutes or however long is directed on the instructions. If you would prefer to use a more homemade method, you can mix up a solution of 4 parts baking soda, 1 part dish soap and 1 part water. Stir it up to form a thick paste.
Next, apply the paste to the oven - you can use this on the inside of the cavity and around the sides and let it sit for around 30 minutes to allow the paste to work deep into the grime.
3. Clean the racks
While the paste is working its magic, you can make a start on cleaning the racks. If you have a bath, it’s easier to clean them here. Lay an old towel along the bottom of the tub to protect the ceramic, then place the racks on top. Fill the tub with hot water until it covers the racks. Mix a scoop of dish soap powder (or laundry powder) with hot water and then pour over the racks. It’s best to leave these to soak for a few hours. After which you can use a soft sponge to wipe clean - a toothbrush also works well for those hard to reach places. Finally, rinse with water and dry for a sparkling shine.
4. Scrub and rinse
Using a heavy duty scrub pad and the scraper if you need it (and a bit of elbow grease) work around the oven to cover all areas, using a circular motion to remove the grease and burnt food.
Soak a clean, microfibre cloth and wipe around the oven to rinse off the baking soda solution.
Finally, using a vinegar rinse and a clean microfibre cloth, wipe around to remove any residual grease and to give the oven a lovely shine.
5. The oven door
For your oven door, soak a clean microfibre cloth in warm, soapy water and give the glass and door frame inside and out a good wipe and scrub to remove any further bits of food or crumbs. Rinse and set aside as you’ll need this again.
Mix a paste of baking soda by adding warm water to it in a bowl. Add a small amount of water slowly as you just want a paste like consistency. Spread the paste on the inside glass paying close attention to areas where there is particularly heavy grease or grime. Leave this for around 20 minutes to give it time to work deep into the dirt.
Soak your cloth again in warm, soapy water and wipe off the paste.
Spray white vinegar onto the oven door, allowing it to foam with any residual paste on the glass. Then wipe away with your cloth to clean and use a damp, clean cloth to buff the glass for that sparkling finish.
If you find this hasn’t removed all of the dirt, then you can also use a glass scraper to gently lift and scrape away those troublesome areas. Be mindful of using the flat edge so that it doesn’t scratch the glass. Repeat the cleaning process.
Don’t Miss the Bin
Changing the bin is likely a daily chore for most of us but do you give the bin itself a good clean? Leftovers that have been thrown away can often seep through the bag, splash back or miss the bag entirely coating the lid and sides of the bin. This can create quite a bad smell as well as the risk of the food going mouldy. It’s a good idea to give the bin a good rinse out with hot, soapy water once a fortnight to keep on top of this.
You can also put some ground coffee in the bottom of the bin which can help to neutralise any nasty smells. During warmer months, your bin should be cleaned more frequently as food rots quicker in the heat attracting flies.
Additional Easy-to-Miss Places
From descaling your kettle, cleaning your microwave to ensuring kitchen sponges and tea towels are bacteria-free, it’s easy to miss these extra places around the kitchen.
Descale your kettle
To descale your kettle there’s two very easy ways to do this. You can fill your kettle with equal parts of distilled white vinegar and tap water. Bring to the boil and empty the contents down the sink. Next, fill your kettle with just water and boil again to remove any excess vinegar. Repeat this process until no vinegar is left.
Alternatively, start by cutting a lemon in half and putting the slices inside the kettle with half to three quarters full of water. Bring to the boil, then let it sit for 10 minutes and boil again. Empty the contents into the sink, rinse, and your kettle is ready for your next brew.
Don’t forget the microwave
Microwaves are perhaps one of the most convenient appliances in the kitchen, however they can quickly harbour bacteria and become a nuisance to clean if left neglected for too long.
To get rid of bacteria and keep your microwave smelling fresh, fill a microwavable bowl halfway with water and half a lemon. Heat this on high power for 3-5 minutes to create steam, and then dampen a cloth in the water to wipe away the grime from the interior of the microwave.
The acidity in lemon makes it the perfect cleaning agent as it breaks down bacteria and mould and also cuts through grease and staining.
Another handy alternative to lemon is white vinegar. Let the microwave run for 2-3 minutes with a microwave safe bowl filled with two tablespoons of white vinegar to two cups of water. Once the timer has gone off and you’ve removed the bowl, you’ll find it much easier to wipe away any stains with a cloth.
To keep your microwave in the best shape possible, ensure you’re wiping the inside after every use, and never use harsh chemicals or bleach to clean, as this may damage it.
Never skip the sponge
Lastly, is the spot that arguably harbours the most bacteria in the kitchen - your dirty sponge. Sponges can harbour up to 45 million bacteria per square centimetre, which is similar to the inside of your toilet.
For your sponge to perform at its prime and not get bacteria everywhere, it is recommended to clean your kitchen sponge at least once a week. After about 4 weeks, it’s usually time to reach for a new one.
Germaphobes fear not, there are multiple ways you can wash your sponge. Simply pop your sponge in your dishwasher with your plates and dishes and run on your regular cycle. Take it out of the machine and air dry before using it again.
Similarly you can pop your dirty sponge in the washing machine, along with your tea towels. Wash at 40C degrees and leave to dry before using it again.
Alternatively, pour white vinegar into a bowl without diluting it. Soak your dirty sponge for 5 minutes, making sure it’s fully covered before rinsing with warm water. Let it dry before using it like normal.
So there you have it! A comprehensive guide to ensuring the bacteria in your kitchen remains at a minimum, helping us to target all those areas we might be forgetting about.
If you're starting your spring refresh with a few clever updates to your kitchen, then we can help. Browse our full range of kitchen taps and sinks, along with our specialised cleaning products.
