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This year, we need to be intentional about our health. We can do this by developing good kitchen habits. One of such habits is cleaning our utensils. We have several that we often forget to clean. Seven of them are listed below. Consider today’s article a reminder to clean these often forgotten utensils so as to prevent food poisoning. Kettle: The story of this kitchen utensil can be compared to the proverbial man who lives on the bank of the river and yet washes his hands with spittle. Or how else do we explain the fact that the kettle is used to boil water every day but when the time for washing comes, it’s not remembered? Today, I’m asking you to take a moment to really look at your kettle. You would notice that limescale and some unwanted elements have rented apartment in it. Oya, clean it. But don’t stop there. Make a habit of cleaning your kettle this year. Sponge: This one is the washer that is never washed. This makes it the breeding ground for bacteria, mould and yeast; these germs put you at risk of serious foodborne disease. There are different methods of cleaning the kitchen sponge that is quite effective. Adopt the method that works best for you and clean your kitchen sponge every day. Kitchen Sink: For most of us, cleaning the kitchen involves doing the dishes, scrubbing the floor and emptying the trash. When we wash the dishes, we neglect the sink. Yet, we wash our hands, plates, cutleries and crockery in it. We prepare raw food in it. We keep frozen food on it to defrost. We even make tea, pap on it and we forget to rinse off the stains they make on it. The result of all this negligence is that the sink has become a breeding ground for germs. This puts you and your family at risk. The sink should therefore be cleaned daily to get rid of the germs hiding in its damp environment.
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Dish racks: These ones have been given to us. In fact, they regret coming to our homes to serve. That’s because they know that we don’t really care about them. The trays under them nko? Those ones have abandoned properties. They just sit in their spot, carrying the water and dirt that they have accumulated, looking like pregnant women who have passed their expected date of delivery. But what do we do when we see their dirty, forlorn faces? We ignore them and jejeli collect the supposedly clean plates cradled in their bosom. Now, I’ll like every Nkechi, Abike and Hauwa to take note of the word, supposedly; in case, you still don’t understand, dish racks get mouldy. So, they need to be cleaned as often as possible. They also get rusty and when they do, they should be replaced. Spice Rack: Some spices in your spice rack are no longer spices but dust catchers. They have not been used for over a year. Their jars have not been washed since they were bought and you don’t even know if they are expired. Nne, begin this year by cleaning out your spice rack. Bring out all your spices and inspect them. Let your sense of smell determine the ones that should be kept and the ones that should be tossed out. Now, wipe down the spice rack, empty the spice jars into bowls, label the bowls and clean out the spice jars. Ensure they are dry before returning the spices to them. Trash Can: How often do you touch your trash can in a day? How often do you wash it in a month? Now, do you know that bacteria can be transferred from the trash can to your hand and form it to whatever else you touch? So, don’t just take out the waste bag. Clean and disinfect the trash can once there is a spill or a stench. In the absence of either one, clean it at least once a month. Dry Mill Blender/Grinder: Whoever told you that dry mill blender and water are sworn enemies is a liar. Please wash and dry them after use so that they can be cleaned for the next use. In conclusion, germs hide in both obvious and unusual places in the kitchen. Thus, we should secure our family’s health by cleaning our kitchen utensils after use. Featured Image Source: Eater
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