1. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
A CLEAN AND SAFE KITCHEN!
Handout: A Clean and Safe Kitchen- Staying Healthy Publication # FDNSE 89-24
Did you know that your kitchen can be one of the most dangerous places in the house? This is because of dangerous bacteria lurking around the countertops and other areas of your kitchen. These bacteria can contaminate your food and cause serious illness. You can’t always see where germs are hiding and they may be on a surface even though it doesn’t look like it. Here are several factors to remember to keep your kitchen clean and safe!
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service

2. Cleaning and Sanitizing Surfaces
Clean surfaces with soap and water and rinse.
Sanitize kitchen surfaces with 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
Allow surface to air dry.
Wash hands after surface is cleaned or sanitized.
When it comes to your kitchen, there is a difference between cleaning and sanitizing. In fact, they are not even the same thing. Cleaning involves soap and water, removes visible dirt, and removes most of the germs. Sanitizers, on the other hand, provide extra safety because they contain stronger solutions that destroy more disease-causing bacteria. Here are some helpful tips to remember while cleaning your kitchen.
Begin by cleaning surface with soap and water.
After cleaning and rinsing, sanitize the surface with a sanitizer. A good sanitizer can be made by mixing 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart of water. This solution can be placed in a spray bottle for daily use.
Allow the surface to air dry.
Wash hands after surface is cleaned or sanitized.

3. Cleaning and Sanitizing Surfaces
Paper towels are safer to use than cloth towels or sponges.
Launder dishcloths often; sponges are not recommended.
Store cleaning products in the original containers away from food.
Never reuse cleaning product containers for other purposes.
Paper towels are ideal to use for cleaning because they can be used once and thrown away. This prevents bacteria from multiplying and being spread throughout the kitchen.
If you use dishcloths, they should be changed often and laundered often. Sponges are not recommended because they have lots of nooks and crannies where germs can hide and be spread from one surface to another.
To prevent chemical contamination of your foods, never reuse cleaning product containers and keep chemicals away from foods.

4. Cross-Contamination
Keep raw meats separate from other foods in grocery carts.
Store raw meats on bottom shelf of refrigerator.
Keep raw eggs separate from other foods.
Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods.
Cross-contamination happens when raw foods, such as poultry, ground beef, fish, and raw eggs come in contact with other foods. Raw foods like these can contain bacteria that can become harmful if they come in contact with food that is already cooked. In order to prevent this from happening follow these simple guidelines:
Keep raw meats separate from other foods in grocery cart.
Store raw meats on bottom shelf of refrigerator away from ready-to-eat foods.
Keep raw eggs separate from other foods.
Use cutting boards made of non-porous material such as plastic or hard maple that are free from cracks.

5. Cross-Contamination Wash cutting boards between each use
Wash cutting boards with hot water and soap. Use sanitizing solution (1tbsp. bleach / 1 gallon of water).
Don’t put cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meats.
Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods, such as salads.
Wash cutting boards with hot water and soap. Sanitize boards by placing in a dishwasher with a sani-cycle, or soaking in sanitizing solution (1tsp bleach with 1qt. water).
Don’t put cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meats or raw eggs.

6. Re-using Containers
Do not reuse plastic storage bags, bread bags, disposable tableware or Styrofoam containers that have contained raw meats!
Do not reuse plastic storage bags, bread bags, disposable tableware, or Styrofoam containers that have contained raw meats. They don’t always dry well and can harbor bacteria from previous products that were in them.

7. Cleaning Kitchen Appliances
Clean spills in refrigerator immediately.
Use dish detergent and water to wash refrigerator.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.
Keeping your appliances clean is important because they will last longer and it prevents the spreading of bacteria. You should clean the appliances depending on how often they are used. Large appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, and ovens should be cleaned at least on a monthly basis since they are used often and spills can occur more frequently. Here are some other tips for cleaning appliances:
Clean up spills in the refrigerator immediately.
Use soap and water to wash the refrigerator.
Don’t use abrasive cleansers or scouring pads because they can damage the surface. Greasy build up may require the use of a heavy-duty cleaner or grease cutter, and a soft cleaning pad.

8. Cleaning Kitchen Appliances
Check bottom of dishwasher for large particles in strainer.
Wipe away ash residue left from self-cleaning process.
Unplug small appliances before cleaning.
Dishwashers are self-cleaning, but check the bottom to see of large particles if food are lodged in the strainer.
Ovens are often self-cleaning and are helpful in making spills easier to clean. After oven has cooled from the cleaning process, simply wipe away the ash residue that is left. Be sure to ventilate the kitchen in case the oven gives off fumes or smoke.
Unplug small appliances before cleaning and NEVER immerse in water unless directions say to.

9. Safety First! Safety First!
Along with having a clean kitchen should come a safe kitchen. Many accidents occur because of not taking proper precautions or following safety procedures. These accidents can be prevented by being on the look out for hazards, using safe work techniques and protective equipment. Take a look at some more tips to keep your kitchen as safe as possible.

10. Cooking Safety Check to see if pilot light works on gas stoves.
Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills.
Keep hot cookware out of reach to avoid burns.
Stoves can be a source of accidents so be sure to:
check and see if the pilot light works on gas stoves.
turn handles inward so they can’t be bumped and cause a spill.
keep hot cookware or dishes out of reach to avoid burns.

11. Cooking Safety
Use oven mitts or round pot holders when handling hot dishes.
Never leave cooking food unattended.
Shield yourself from steam to avoid burns.
use oven mitts or round pot holders when handling hot dishes.
never leave cooking food on the stove unattended.
shield yourself from steam because it can cause burns.

12. Fire Safety Use caution when lighting gas stoves.
Make sure all burners are turned off when finished cooking.
Never use flammable fuels to ignite a fire in a cook stove.
The leading cause of kitchen fires is leaving food unattended. It is important to know how to prevent them and what to do in case of a fire in your kitchen.
Use caution when lighting gas stoves.
Make sure all burners are turned off when you are finished cooking.
Never use flammable fuels to ignite a fire in a cook stove.

14. Fire Safety
Use short, flame-resistant curtains if stove is near a window.
Never leave combustibles around cooking area.
Never leave pan handles over burners.
Use short, flame-resistant curtains if stove is near a window.
Never leave combustibles, such as towels, pot holders, or food packages, around cooking area.
Never leave pan handles over burners.

15. Fire Safety Keep electrical cords away from hot surfaces.
Don’t wear loose fitting clothing when cooking.
Don’t use oven to heat your home.
Keep electrical cords away from hot surfaces.
Don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could come in contact with an open flame.
Don’t use the oven to heat your home.

16. In Case of Fire: Always give yourself a place to escape.
Know where your fire extinguisher is and how to use it.
If pan is on fire, turn off heat and cover with lid.
Never pour water on fire involving grease or try to carry it out.
A fire blanket, extinguisher, or baking soda can be used to put out fire.
There are certain things you need to know if there is ever a fire in your home.
Always give yourself a place to escape.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, know where it is and how to use it.
If a pan is on fire, turn off heat and cover with a lid(if fire is small).
Never pour water on fire involving grease or try to carry it out.
A fire blanket, fire extinguisher, or baking soda can be used to put out fire.

17. Knife Safety Use a sharp knife to easily cut through food.
When using knife, don’t cut with edge toward you.
Store knives in a knife block.
If knife is dropped, stand back and let it fall to floor.
Wash knives separately from other dishes.
It is important to use caution when handling knives because of the dangers involved.
Use a sharp knife so it will easily cut through food.
When using a knife, don’t cut with the edge toward you.
Put sharp knives a knife block.
If you drop a knife, stand back and let it fall to the floor. Don’t try to catch it.
Wash knives separately from other dishes to avoid accidents if washing dishes by hand. If they are in the dishwasher, position so that there is no danger of grabbing the blade and cutting yourself as you unload the utensils.
Following these simple tips can keep your kitchen clean and safe.

18. A CLEAN AND SAFE KITCHEN!
What better way for you to stay safe than having a clean and safe kitchen!
What Better Way for You to Stay Safe?

19. Evaluation Questions
What is the procedure for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen surfaces?
T or F. It is okay to reuse plastic bags, Styrofoam containers, bread bags, etc. that have previously contained food.
Name at least three things you can do to prevent kitchen fires.
What should you do(or not do) in case of a fire involving grease?
1. -Begin by cleaning surface with soap and water.
-After cleaning, sanitize the surface with a sanitizer. A good sanitizer can be made by mixing 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart of water. This solution can be placed in a spray bottle for daily use.
-Allow the surface to air dry.
-Wash hands after surface is cleaned or sanitized. F
Use caution when lighting gas stoves.
-Make sure all burners are turned off when you are finished cooking.
-Never use flammable fuels to ignite a fire in a cook stove.
-Use short, flame-resistant curtains if stove is near a window.
-Never leave combustibles, such as towels, pot holders, or food packages, around cooking area.
-Never leave pan handles over burners.
-Keep electrical cords away from hot surfaces.
-Don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could come in contact with an open flame.
-Don’t use the oven to hear your home.
4. -Never pour water on fire involving grease or try to carry it out.
-A fire blanket, fire extinguisher, or baking soda can be used to put out fire.