Even though the coronavirus pandemic has made a lot of changes to our lives and holiday plans are uncertain for many of us, some traditions still stand—during the holidays most folks will find they are spending more time than usual in your kitchen. Whether you’re baking cookies, making a meal for your family, or hosting guests at a “socially distanced” event, the kitchen is in more demand during this end-of-year season.
When you think of things that might be dangerous in your kitchen, you probably think first of utensils like knives or graters. And while kitchen tools can definitely be hazards—even for experienced cooks—the most dangerous spots in your kitchen might be the ones you aren’t even thinking about. Your countertops and sink can be harboring germs that make you sick.
That doesn’t mean just cold, flu, and coronavirus germs, either—while high-touch areas like faucets are prime places where viruses can spread, these surfaces are also a breeding ground for food-borne bacteria that can make you sick. We’ll break down some things you should know, and let you know how The Tub Pros can help!
I wipe down my countertops every night—what gives?
Cleaning countertops is a great idea—as long as you’re following guidelines on how to clean for your type of counter. But think about all the use that your kitchen gets over the course of a day. Between using the counter as a spot to unpack groceries, set down the mail or your keys, do school work etc…countertops are a high-touch area that can harbor a lot of germs. Once you start doing food preparation on that counter, you might spread them further.
Another big culprit? Raw meat. Think of all the things you touch while preparing a meat dish: you take the meat out of the packaging, open the trash drawer, grab the knife, set the meat on the cutting board, pick up a salt/pepper shaker, and grab the faucet to turn on the water in the sink. Now all of those areas, if touched once can cross-contaminate the rest of your preparation—that means that harmful bacteria from the raw meat could get onto already cooked or clean utensils, foods, or surfaces.
Bacteria like salmonella or E. coli can make you sick or even send you to the hospital with food poisoning. Other bacteria—like clostridium perfringens (one of the most common causes of food-borne illness) or Yersinia (spread through pork) can also be very harmful.
What about my sink?
You wash dishes and your hands in the sink, so it seems like it should be one of the cleanest spots in the kitchen, but that’s not the case. In fact, it’s quite the opposite—kitchen sinks might be dirtier than your toilet. Sounds strange? Think about it like this. When you rinse a plate or other dish, the food particles from it leave bacteria in the sink. Salmonella can breed there, and E. coli loves a wet environment.
So, if you put a dish in the sink and grab it to use again, or if you touch the basin of the sink, you can get those bacteria on your hands, and spread it to other areas. And lets now even mention the sponge you use to wash those dishes? Sponges can be dirtier than your toilet—and if you use your dishwashing sponge to wipe down the counter, you might be spreading bacteria all over the countertops you think you are cleaning.
How can I stay safe?
A few simple steps can make these surfaces safer. First, make sure to clean and disinfect your countertops regularly and use a cutting board to keep food away from potential germs. Designating a cutting board just for raw meat can help prevent cross-contamination, too. A bleach or antibacterial product can help you clean up after preparing meat—though with granite countertops, you might want to pick another product to avoid damaging the seal on the surface.
When it comes to your sink, washing it with dish soap can help kill bacteria—though if you have a porcelain sink, don’t use a scouring pad that could damage the surface. Baking soda can help you clean a stainless steel sink. And once your sink is disinfected be sure to change your kitchen sponge regularly—about once a week. Put it up to your nose…if it has a smell throw it out or soak it in a bleach-water solution.
Another step you can take? Repair cracks or damage to your sink or counters. These flaws in the material make the surface harder to clean and maintain. If you’re worried you’ll have to replace the counter, the good news is that refinishing is possible for many types of countertop material—this can fix the damage and give you a smooth surface that looks like new.
A new-looking counter can have the added benefit of updating the look and value of your kitchen and you can even update surfaces with faux granite countertops, to give you the look of stone without the cost and hassle. The coating can also bring dated counters into the modern day—for old or worn styles, it can be a valuable modern update. And if you like your man-made countertops, and are wondering how to revitalize corian countertops? The great news is that refinishing is what corian counters were designed for!
And when it comes to sinks, there’s good news there, too—porcelain sink crack repair is entirely possible, and can even be the solution that makes the most sense in some situations. If your sink is oddly shaped or if expensive plumbing work might be needed to get the existing sink out or the new one in, reglazing can be a big cost saver.
Where can I find counter and sink reglazing near me?
At The Tub Pros, we’re here to help you get your kitchen looking and working great, so you can keep your family safe during these uncertain times. If you’re ready to get started with counter or sink refinishing—or have other kitchen remodel ideas related to refinishing your counters, sink, or tile—give us a call at 901-871-8827 or send us a message on line.
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