How to Clean Utensils to Prevent Food Poisoning

Just the thought of food poisoning causes fear in many people. No one wants to deal with the pain and frustration that goes along with a case of it. Food poisoning is caused by bacteria living in food. There’s no need to live in fear of food bacteria. If you clean your kitchen utensils properly, you can prevent food poisoning.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cloth
• Brush
• Bleach
• Vinegar

1. Nothing keeps germs and bacteria away like hot, soapy water. Every utensil you use needs to be cleaned. Let them soak in the water for a few minutes and then wash them with a cloth or brush. Make sure you cover the entire utensil (including the handles) and rinse completely.

2. While you’re cooking, store utensils on a holder, clean paper towel, or clean dish cloth. Keep utensils off the counter. Clean your counters before you start working.

3. Never use the same instrument for different foods. Use one knife for cutting raw meat and immediately clean it. Use a new knife for cooked meat. Each dish should have its own utensil.

4. Use cloths instead of sponges to clean your utensils. Bacteria can live inside the sponge and be spread to your utensils and kitchen surfaces. Wash cloths in your washing machine before you use them again.

5. If you’re ever in doubt about whether a utensil is safe to use, err on the side of caution. There’s nothing wrong with washing your utensils before you use them.You can disinfect all your utensils with a solution of 1 teaspoon of bleach added to 1 quart of water. A solution of one part vinegar to one part water will also clean and sanitize your utensils. (It will also remove tough stains and grease on plastic and metal utensils.)

Tips & Warnings

• Cleaning your kitchen utensils doesn’t take much extra effort, but it is extremely important for your health and well-being. It is well worth the time to properly clean your utensils and prevent food poisoning.