This is a good time to make sure your kitchen is clean and ready to handle the influx of food plus a dozen helping hands all vying for a spot at the counter
As we launch full force into the holiday season, we’ll be kicking our kitchen time into overdrive. Food is huge part of the holidays and many people spend more time in the kitchen during the next six weeks than they do all year. From the pies to the cookies to the homemade stuffing and Aunt June’s green bean casserole, our kitchens are exhausted by the end of the year.
· The refrigerator grate – usually located under the refrigerator door just above the floor – is the perfect place for dirt, dust and pet hair to gather. If you haven’t done so in about six months, pull the grate off and scrub it in the kitchen sink.
· Put the stovetop vent in the dishwasher as it most likely has a nice film of grease from food splatters. If the vent hasn’t been cleaned in a while, soak it in a degreaser or dish soap and hot water (to melt the grease) and scrub with a scrub brush.
· Clean the germ magnets – cutting boards, kitchen sponges and door handles (especially the fridge and microwave). Clean them thoroughly and, if necessary, purchase new sponges and a new cutting board. Use paper towels when handling raw meat.
· Stock the sink with soap, extra towels and hand sanitizer so guests can easily clean up if they are helping in the kitchen.
This article from SeventhGeneration.com has some additional good tips on creating a healthy kitchen, including ways to make your kitchen and cooking time more environmentally friendly, such as putting your pots on the right size burners (using a 6-inch pot on an 8-inch electric burner wastes more than 40 percent of the heat generated).
