Best way to clean a countertop if you are preparing food on it
Just had my kitchen remodeled and this is the first time I've had a kitchen with enough counter space that it's big enough to roll dough etc on. Plus it's the first time it's not a tile countertop so clean up is much easier.
I've been cleaning the counter tops using soft scrub with bleach - and I'm guessing any residue from that will not taste good, or be good for your health :)
What would be the best solution for cleaning a countertop that will come into direct contact with food? Just dish soap and water?
Best Answer
There is a difference between cleaning and sanitizing.
Cleaning
- If you have something greasy on the counter then you need some sort of detergent to solubilize the grease. (You might want to then use a vinegar solution to be sure and get all the detergent off the counter.)
- If you were doing something like kneading bread, then you need something a bit more abrasive to scrub the countertop to get off stuck bits of dried out dough.
Sanitizing
- A diluted bleach solution works well. (Say if you leaked some juice from raw meat on the counter.)
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Quick Answer about "Best way to clean a countertop if you are preparing food on it"
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends warm, soapy water to clean countertops and other kitchen surfaces before and after food preparation. This is a cleaning and not a disinfecting measure, though.How do you clean countertops after cooking?
For spotlessly clean countertops, use disinfectant disposable wipes. Or, mix a teaspoon of mild disinfectant or white vinegar with water and wipe surfaces with a sponge; rinse with soapy water.How do you clean food preparation surfaces?
Remove Debris and Wipe Down Use a microfiber cloth to remove any visible crumbs or pieces of food. Mix a solution of dishwashing liquid and hot water and thoroughly clean the surface. Rinse the cloth out frequently and be sure to remove any sticky, greasy smears on the surface.How do you clean counters before making pasta?
Clean the Counter Dampen a rag with hot water (hot water is far more effective at breaking up cooking greases and other kitchen messes than cold water) mixed with a drop or two of dish soap or another cleaning agent. After you clean the entire counter space, rinse off all of the soap with clean water and a rag.What should you always do to your counters before and after you prepare foods?
Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water, especially after they've held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.How to Clean the Flat-top Grill
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Answer 2
You routinely prepare food on cutting boards which have been cleaned just with soap and hot water, even after being heavily contaminated with raw meat. So thorough cleaning with diluted soap and water should be sufficient here as well. Just make sure that you use the same standards you would for your cutting boards, namely, that you've removed anything that might be stuck there.
However, if you're really worried, the FDA recommends using bleach to sanitize counters*:
One teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach per quart of clean water can also be used to sanitize surfaces. Leave the bleach solution on the surface for about 10 minutes to be effective.
(Pardon the "Food Safety for Moms-to-Be" title on that page - obviously people besides mothers can cook and be safe as well.)
I think the point is to be safe against routine incidental contact, not for deliberate food preparation on the counter, but making one safe should make the other safe too - and it's clearly a step beyond soap and water.
Answer 3
White vinegar will very effectively clean and sanitize your countertop, and it's completely non-toxic! I keep a decanter on my counter, making it easy to splash some out, and wash down the counter with a paper towel.
In addition, baking soda is an excellent scouring powder, and also completely non-toxic. (Baking soda can also extinguish a grease fire, which is another reason to always keep some handy.)
The acidity of the vinegar will kill many pathogens, though not as effectively as chlorine bleach. If you do use bleach or other toxic cleaners, washing down the counter after with vinegar will help remove any chemical residue.
The vinegar will mostly evaporate when it dries, but a final wipe with clear water will leave the countertop sparkling clean for kneading dough.
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