Keeping your kitchen clean is one thing… but keeping it sanitized is a whole other level of protection for you and your family. Your kitchen is one of the busiest and most-used areas of your home, which means germs love to hide in places you might not even think to check. If you’re only cleaning but not sanitizing, you could be leaving behind bacteria that easily spreads to your food and surfaces.
This guide walks you through every tool, cloth, sponge, brush, gadget, and cleaning item you use in your kitchen—and shows you how to keep each one properly sanitized, fresh, and safe. Sanitizing your kitchen cleaning tools is crucial for maintaining a germ-free, safe kitchen for you and your family.
There is more than most people realize to kitchen cleaning than just a quick surface wipe down.
There are common hotspots where bacteria like to grow, and keeping these areas sanitized will help keep your kitchen germ-free and safe for your family.
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Why Sanitizing Matters (More Than You Think)
Some of the most common germs found in kitchens include E. coli, Salmonella, mold, and yeast—and they thrive in warm, damp environments like sponges and dishcloths. When you sanitize regularly, you’re stopping these invisible germs from spreading to food, dishes, and the hands that prepare your meals.
Think of sanitizing as the final step that makes your “clean kitchen” truly safe.
Sanitizing Sponges And Dishcloths
These two areas in your kitchen can harbour a lot of germs and bacteria, which can make your family ill. It’s important to sanitize them regularly.
Different Sanitizing Methods
- The microwave is a great way to sanitize damp sponges (check they are microwave safe) and microwave for a couple of minutes
- Boil the sponges and dishcloths, this will kill any germs and bacteria which are trying to grow on them.
- Using the dishwasher is also a great option for sanitizing sponges
- Wash dishcloths in hot water and laundry detergent
You need to change out your dishcloths and sponges on a regular basis, this helps to prevent germs and bacteria building up. You can buy compostable sponges that after a few weeks use, you dispose of these in the compost heap.
If you have smelly brushes or sponges it might be the tools you are using! I have switched to Airnex sponges and brushes and I must admit I love them and they are easy to keep clean and smell free. Here’s an article that they published on cleaning your brushes and kitchen sponges.
Sanitizing Dish Brushes And Scrubbers
As with dish cloths and sponges you need to look at the other items you use in your washing up and they can include dish brushes and scrubbers.
The brushes and scrubbers can trap food debris and bacteria and this can make them unclean to use to actual clean your dishes.
Sanitizing Methods For Dish Brushes And Scrubbers
- Soak brushes in a cleaning solution designed for the purpose of cleaning and sanitizing.
- Make sure to air dry after each use
- If microwave safe you can sanitize them the same as dish cloths and sponges
These bamboo brushes are amazing; the bristles are made of natural fibbers, and the handles are all bamboo. Not only do they last but when they come to the end of their life you can dispose of easily and safely.
If you have other options make sure to change regularly and dispose of safely
Sanitizing Your Kitchen Sink And Drain Accessories
There are a few items that fit here, from sink strainers faucet aerators and soap dispensers. We must keep these areas sanitized to protect our families health.
Sanitizing Methods For Kitchen Sink And Drain Accessories
- Scrub strainer and drains with a cleaning agent that also sanitizes or use a separate sanitizer once it is clean.
- Soak those areas that are removable in a cleaning fluid that is safe to kill the germs
- Use a sanitizing spray to sanitize the areas that are non-removable.
Products that you might use to sanitize this area includes:
Keep your sink and drain as dry as possible to prevent the possibility of mold growth.
Sanitizing Dish Towels And Hand Towels
Towels used to dry dishes can pick up germs and bacteria and they are often left to dry. This can harbour germs and bacteria which can grow and spread back to the dishes you are trying to dry. Changing these regularly and washing them in hot water and laundry detergent is going to kill the germs and bacteria.
Hand towels used in the kitchen also need to be washed at least once a week, or more frequently depending on the size of your family and how often the towels are used.
Learn how to deep clean your washing machine so your laundry comes out clean.
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Don’t Forget Other Kitchen Cleaning Tools
When it comes to keeping your kitchen sanitized it’s about making sure you are keeping those items that you use to clean, clean too.
Often when it comes to sanitizing the cleaning items we forget that the wet and damp cleaning tools can quickly become breeding grounds for germs and bacteria.
For example:
All need to be disinfected and allowed to dry before being stored away as this can prevent mold growth and it kills the germs and bacteria they collected whilst doing their cleaning tasks.
Cutting Boards And Food Prep Tools (Often Overlooked)
Even though technically cutting boards and food prep tools aren’t ‘cleaning tools’ they are bacteria hotspots.
How To Sanitize Cutting Boards
- Plastic cutting boards can go in the dishwasher or handwash in hot water and dish soap
- Wooden boards are to be scrubbed with hot water and sanitized with hydrogen peroxide to make sure all germs are killed
Use separate boards for raw meat and other produce to prevent any cross-contamination.
Small Appliances Need Sanitizing Too
There are many appliances in the kitchen that could do with regular cleaning and sanitizing as they have parts that are often in water or other substances.
For example:
Wash all removable parts in hot soapy water, wipe handles and lids with sanitizer and clean coffee machines and kettles with a manufacturer approved cleaning and sanitizing product. (This will protect your warranty on the appliance,)
Natural, Eco-Friendly Sanitizing Options
If you are looking for natural options for sanitizing but without harsh chemicals you can use
Common Mistakes That Can Lead To Germ Growth
There are some very common mistakes we all make in the kitchen that can have a bad impact on germ and bacteria growth.
- Leaving sponges in the bottom of the sink
- Using a dish cloth longer that a day
- Not sanitizing mop heads after each use
- Forgetting to clean the soap dispenser
- Storing cleaning tools when wet
- Never cleaning the faucet aerators
Hand Hygiene While Cleaning
It is so important that you are keeping your hands clean and sanitized at all times when you are working in the kitchen.
Top hand washing tips:
- Wash hands before and after doing the dishes
- Use gloves when using chemicals to protect them
- Sanitize those gloves too and replace them regularly
Creating A Seasonal Deep Sanitizing Routine
Why not add a seasonal deep sanitize into your deep cleaning routine.
This would ensure that you are remembering to sanitize your kitchen as well as cleaning it.
Here’s what to add to your deep-cleaning checklist and end of year deep cleaning.
Final Tips For A Germ-Free Kitchen
Sanitizing your kitchen tools doesn’t have to be complicated, but you do need to think about these things when it comes to ensuring your kitchen is not only clean but sanitized. If you need more information on cleaning your home check out these articles below: