Germiest Places in the Kitchen

The kitchen — the room where you prepare and eat your food — is one of the most important places to keep well scrubbed. Bacteria are responsible for more than 75 million cases of food-borne illnesses a year — and these types of infections can be more serious for your little ones because their immune systems aren’t as strong as yours. So concentrate on food-prep surfaces, but don’t forget that pretty much anywhere hands go, germs go too. The bacteria that could be in the raw chicken you’re cutting up for tonight’s stir-fry can spread easily once you wipe your hands on the dish towel and then use that same towel to wipe up the counter and kitchen table. So here’s how to stay vigilant:

* Wash your hands often. It’s your best line of defense against food-borne bacteria.
* Keep counters clear of often-handled objects like keys and you-don’t-know-where-that’s-been items, like grocery bags (unload groceries from the floor instead).
* Wipe down surfaces regularly with soapy water or disinfectant wipes. On your wipe-down to-do list: countertops, faucets, refrigerator and oven handles, cabinet knobs, light switches, and the telephone. Be extra-super-scrupulous when you're handling raw meat, fish, eggs, and poultry — all of which harbor dangerous bacteria like salmonella.
* Stop sponges from spreading germs that you just cleaned up. Replace them regularly (at least once a month), and wash them thoroughly with soap after using. You can also toss them in the dishwasher or zap them in the microwave (make sure they’re damp first) for 30 seconds. Launder kitchen rags and towels in the washing machine with hot water and a bit of bleach.