Most of us crave for home-cooked food and only the lucky few get to eat them on a daily basis. It is healthy more because you control what goes into your food.
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Many times what is in your kitchen is as important as what is in your mouth. Using old or outdated tools can have a big impact on your health, from spreading germs to putting you at risk for cancer. EHC’s research team has found out some items in kitchen you need to replace in your kitchen for the health of you and your family.
Nonstick Pan
Heating nonstick pans higher than 500 degrees Fahrenheit can release toxic fumes that can make you sick. And while 500 degrees is hotter than you will typically heat cookware, scratched and damaged pans will release these colorless, odorless fumes at a lower temperature. So if your nonstick pan is scratched, get a new one. Newer pans produce much lower levels of these fumes
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Plastic Food Containers
Older food storage containers often contain bisphenol A, better known as BPA, a compound used in plastic manufacturing that has been linked to many health problems, including cancer, heart disease, obesity and more. So if you haven’t bought new containers in a while, now is the time. Thankfully, more and more companies are phasing it out of their products.
Grill Brush
Summertime is grilling season, but before you clean off the grill, you should think about buying a new brush. Bristles can fall off old and heavily used brushes, end up in your food and cause severe damage. When swallowed, these bristles can puncture your throat, stomach or intestines. You should replace these brushes every two to three months, but check it frequently. If the bristles are coming loose, get rid of it and buy a new one.
Cutting Board
Cutting boards, whether they are wood or plastic, need to be replaced regularly. While soap and water will clean any bacteria on the surface, your knives leave gouges and cuts that can harbor bacteria and make it difficult to disinfect. Cutting boards are cheap and replaceable. As soon as you see deep cuts or scratches in your board, get rid of it.
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Sponge
Sponges are porous and damp, making them cozy bacteria traps. While rinsing your sponge with hot water and zapping it in the microwave for 30 seconds can help sanitize it, you should replace it regularly so you are not spreading germs every time you clean your dishes. Sponges are contaminated and they can be among the dirtiest things in your kitchen. Once you’ve had it longer than two weeks, get rid of it.
Dish Towel
Much like your kitchen sponges, dish towels can become a home to millions upon millions of bacteria and if you use the same towel to wipe your counters and your hands, you could be setting yourself up to get sick. Launder them frequently, but be sure to replace them often as well.
Fire Extinguisher
While it may not directly affect your health, it is important to make sure your fire extinguisher is still working. Check out its gauge to see if the needle is still in the green. If not, get a new one.
Some Kitchen Tips
- Play some music while you work to keep yourself motivated and entertained.
- Clean your kitchen frequently so you don't have to do big jobs.
- Regularly replace cleaning materials such as rags and sponges, to avoid contamination.
- Use a kitchen spray that disinfects, such as Lysol.
- Cover the tops of your kitchen cabinets with wax paper if they do not go all the way to the ceiling; it will collect the grease and dirt. When dirty, just roll up, discard and replace.
- If you have a cleaning sponge that is still good but needs cleaning, the best way to kill bacteria is to either microwave the sponge when it is soaked full of water for one to two minutes.
Clean kitchen needs clean utensils and tools which lead to clean cooking and good food. That’s what makes you healthy and happy.
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Image courtesy: mymilady.ru , viphousemais.wordpress.com
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