In our previous post, we discussed your go-to plan for staying organized during the holiday season. In today’s issue, our experts have compiled the best tools to help you keep your kitchen flawless while prepping for that delicious Christmas feast. While most commercial and residential facilities are serviced differently, there are many tactics that can translate into both spaces. In fact, our experts recommend taking a commercial approach to your cleaning strategy over the holidays due to the volume of messy “stuff” such as germs, dirt, dust, leftover food, grease, and many other bacteria-harvesting organisms. Check out this year’s list for keeping your kitchen clean and clear over the holiday break!
Conduct a quick clean sweep before the meal preparation begins. You want your kitchen to be spotless before and after your meal. A great place to start is the refrigerator as it contains bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella and listeria. Since you will be using the fridge as storage for prepared foods, it is important to use a multipurpose cleaner and microfiber cloth to capture any lingering bacteria. Equally as important as the fridge are all counter tops, as many dishes require a wide, flat surface for assembling.
Always have multiple microfiber cloths on hand when you’re using so much space in your kitchen to cook. The most popular way to spread germs and dirt is by using the same cloth to wipe up surfaces. Try doing a load of laundry prior to your guests arriving, that way you have them readily available in case an unexpected spill happens.
Prepping meals ahead of time is one of the best ways to decrease the mess in the kitchen. If there are specific dishes that you can schedule ahead of time, do it. This will save you time cleaning dishes and allow you more time to spend with your loved ones.
Utilize the dishwasher before, during and after your meal. Not only does it save you time, it’s also the most effective way to sterilize all the dishes, utensils and cooking instruments that are used throughout the process. You don’t want your next big event to be plagued with contaminated serving ware.
Clean as soon as you can around the kitchen. This is vital to the clean-up process. The quicker you clean dishes and surfaces, the faster you can get to enjoy that beautiful meal you prepared. Another easy way to clean as you go is to encourage some of your guests to help you. The extra hands tackling greasy pans and stovetops will shave down your clean-up time after your meal is finished.
The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, but also one of the most rewarding. If you’re among the many Americans hosting a Christmas feast, don’t forget to follow these tips for a nice, clean evening. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a business owner, or commercial cleaning franchisee please contact us!