Simple Kitchen Cleaning Habits for a Hygienic Home

The kitchen is the heart of most Kenyan homes. It is also the room that can get dirty fastest, with grease from frying, spills from sukuma wiki and crumbs from breakfast. A hygienic kitchen does not need hours of work. It just needs a few good habits.

Clean as you cook

Rinse bowls and utensils while the food simmers. Wipe spills on the hob before they harden. By the time the meal is finished, there will be less to do, and that makes all the difference.

Do the five-minute evening reset

Before bed, take five minutes to:

• Wash the dishes or stack them neatly
• Wipe the worktops and hob
• Clean the sink and tap
• Take out the rubbish if it is full
• Sweep up any crumbs

A clean kitchen in the morning sets the tone for your day. It also reduces the food that attracts cockroaches and ants.

Keep raw and cooked foods apart

Use a separate chopping board for raw meat, and wash boards, knives and hands well with soap and hot water afterwards. This is one of the most important kitchen hygiene habits.

Replace sponges and wash cloths often

Sponges and dishcloths can hold onto germs. Wash cloths every day or two, let sponges dry between uses, and replace them often. Do not use the same cloth for dishes and for wiping the floor.

Deal with grease before it builds up

Grease is easiest to remove when it is fresh. Wipe the wall behind the cooker after frying, and wash extractor filters every month or so. A little washing-up liquid in warm water is usually enough for regular cleaning.

Look after your fridge

Check it weekly and throw away anything that is past its best. Wipe spills straight away, and clean the shelves every month. Store raw meat at the bottom so that nothing drips onto other foods.

Keep the bin clean

Rinse your bin regularly, and use a bin with a lid. This limits smells and flies.

Store food well

Keep dry goods such as flour, unga and sugar in sealed containers. Sealed containers keep out pests and keep your cupboards tidy.

Weekly and monthly jobs

Weekly:

• Mop the floor, including under the table
• Wipe cabinet fronts and handles
• Clean the microwave
• Wipe the fridge door and handle

Monthly:

• Clean inside cabinets, one at a time
• Wash extractor filters
• Clean behind the fridge and cooker if they can be moved safely
• Descale the kettle

Be careful with products

Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or acid-based cleaners, because this can create dangerous fumes. Use products that suit your surfaces, since vinegar can mark marble and granite.

When to call in help

If grease has built up on walls and hoods, or scale has taken hold around the taps, a professional clean can give you a fresh start. After that, your daily habits will be much easier to keep up.

Getting the family involved

A kitchen stays clean more easily when the work is shared. Give children small jobs that suit their age, such as wiping the table or putting away plastic containers. Agree a simple rule that whoever cooks does not wash up, or the other way round. Put a small bin for food waste near the place where you prepare food, so that peelings go straight in and not on the worktop.

Cleaning a jiko, gas cooker and charcoal areas

Many Kenyan kitchens use gas cookers, and some also use a jiko. Remove the pan supports and burner caps once they have cooled, and soak them in warm soapy water. Dry the burners fully before you use them again. Check gas pipes and connections as advised by your supplier, and never clean close to an open flame. If you use charcoal, store it in a dry place, sweep up the dust and make sure that the room is well ventilated.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my fridge?

Wipe spills as they happen, check the contents every week and clean the shelves about once a month.

What is the best way to remove burnt food from a pot?

Soak it in hot, soapy water. For stubborn spots, simmer a little water with baking soda, leave it to cool and scrub gently. Check first that this is suitable for the pot's finish.

How do I remove cooking smells?

Open windows, use an extractor fan if you have one, and wash the cloths and towels that are kept in the kitchen. Simmering lemon slices in water can also help to freshen the air.

How do I keep cockroaches out of the kitchen?

Remove food sources. Clean under appliances, keep food in sealed containers, fix leaks and take rubbish out each day. If the problem continues, arrange proper pest control.

Macky Group offers kitchen and bathroom cleaning and deep cleaning in Nairobi and Thika. Get a free quote.