Kitchen essential frequently hosts dangerous bacteria, leading to potential food poisoning, experts caution; adopting a minor shift in habits offers protection, reportedly steering clear of weeks of sickness.
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Kitchen: A Guide to Proper Towel Management
In the kitchen, cross-contamination is a common cause of food poisoning at home, and kitchen towels are one of the easiest ways it happens. Here's a guide to help you manage your kitchen towels effectively to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Steps to Prevent Cross-Contamination
1. Use Separate Towels
- Assign separate towels for different tasks, such as drying dishes, wiping hands, and cleaning surfaces. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria between surfaces and tasks.
- Consider using color-coded towels to easily distinguish between them.
2. Wash Towels Regularly in Hot Water
- Wash kitchen towels daily in hot water with soap. This helps kill bacteria and prevents them from multiplying.
- Optionally, soak towels in vinegar for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing to help maintain absorbency and kill mold.
3. Proper Drying and Storage
- Ensure towels are completely dry after washing to prevent bacterial growth. Use a well-ventilated area for drying.
- Store clean towels in a clean, dry place to prevent them from becoming damp and a potential breeding ground for bacteria.
4. Disinfect Correctly
- Occasionally, you can microwave towels after rinsing to further reduce bacterial load, but ensure they are not left damp.
- Always check towels for any signs of mold or mildew and replace them if necessary.
Choosing the Right Products
Dishwasher Detergent
- Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dishwasher Detergent Packs have an enzyme-rich formula that cuts through tough grease and food residue without fragrances, dyes, phosphates, or chlorine.
Dishwashing Soap
- Hand washing dishes in very hot water with good soap, such as Dawn, wearing rubber gloves, and using a silicone scrubbing brush can help prevent contamination.
Disinfecting Solutions
- Hydrogen peroxide is a better alternative to commercial disinfecting sprays for food prep surfaces.
Hand Soap
- Washing hands with hot water and a quality hand soap, such as Dial Foaming Antibacterial, can help kill germs before drying with a kitchen towel.
Other Tips
- Running the dishwasher on a sanitizing cycle with the correct detergent, such as AspenClean dishwasher pods, can help reduce plastic when cleaning the home.
- Paper towels are a safer option for removing surface dirt and first disinfecting a surface to avoid towel and cloth contamination.
- For raw meat spills, using single-use paper towels and disinfecting with the correct contact time is important to kill germs.
- Using adhesive wall hooks can help prevent cross-contamination by spacing out towels when hung up.
- Sponge cloths are a plant-based, eco-friendly, and hygienic alternative to traditional sponges and paper towels.
- Researchers recommend frequent replacement or decontamination of kitchen towels. Using vinegar to wash kitchen towels can make them softer, keep them absorbent, and help to kill mold in fibers.
By following these practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen through proper towel management. Dr. Knighton also recommends hanging towels to dry completely between uses.
