Kitchen Countertops

A lot of thought goes into the upkeep of kitchen countertops in homes in Toronto. But a large part of it is aimed towards the aesthetic part of the upkeep. Nobody likes to see smudges and stains on their gloss-finish granite countertop.

What about the things which cannot be seen?

Your countertop is a banquet ground for bacteria. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be stale or rotten food for bacteria to get attracted to it. Even that drop of leftover mayo on the countertop can be a potential germ magnet.

It is estimated that each year, there are 4 million Food related Illnesses reported in Canada.

One of the ways to ensure that you are not part of that statistic is to keep your countertops germ free.

Let us look at five simple ways in which you can prevent illnesses and keep your family safe by cleaning your countertops.

Cleaning Immediately

That harmless looking dribble of gravy can quickly turn dangerous if you let it linger there. And if you are noticing after quite a while, then a swipe with a towel may not suffice. You at least need to clean with warm water and soap.

To prevent bacteria from forming, make it a habit to clean food spills as soon as they occur. Your daily cleaning routine is ideal to get rid of dirt and dust. It won’t do too much good to remove the bacteria though. It is recommended that you use a surface disinfectant recommended for use on countertops.

Your cleaning aids

What do you use to clean the countertop? Are you reusing the same dish rag every day or the same sponge may be? Sponge has a notorious reputation of harbouring bacteria and mould. A neat little trick is to wet it and microwave it for a couple of minutes to remove up to 99.9 % bacteria. Your dish rag should be put in the washing machine once after every three to four days and completely dried before reuse. You can also use a bleach to sanitize the sponge.

Bleach

If you do not have a disinfectant solution handy, then make one yourself. Household bleach is a very effective germ cleaner. Clean the countertops as usual with your warm water and soap and then wash it again with ¼ cup bleach mixed with an equal quantity of water. Now let it dry completely.

Keep it dry

Most type of bacteria and mould thrive in a wet and moist environment. So, every time you clean the countertop with soap and water, wipe it down with a regular cloth to keep it dry. As a rule of thumb, avoid letting liquids accumulate on the counter. This will also prevent the counter from getting stained.

Following a regular cleaning routine and keeping liquids off any countertop surface will also help prolong its life. If you have a stone counter in your kitchen in Toronto, then it will help maintain the lustre of the stone.