With the kids being home bound nowadays, we have all been busy in the kitchen trying to whip up some special dishes for them. While we’ve enjoyed showing off our culinary expertise, we can't deny the fact that we have also been struggling with the number of soiled dishes that get piled up in the sink after each meal. It goes without saying that the stuck food particles and residues on the dirty dishes are potential breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Also, with the pandemic, we have become extra cautious about hygiene and definitely don't want our little ones eating from hastily washed dishes. We have tried everything, from baking soda to vinegar and have realized that even home remedies aren't helping in disinfecting the dishes effectively. The good news is that there lies a solution in these simple steps, which you can follow to keep your utensils squeaky clean and germ-free for your kids.
How to Keep Your Utensils Germ-Free and Safe for Your Children!
With the kids at home all day lately, the dishes in the sink are bound to pile up. Find out how you can keep your utensils clean and germ-free for your little ones.
Updated Reading Time: 7 minutes
You will need:
- Scrubber/scrub brush
- Sponge
- Vim Dishwash Anti Bac Liquid
- Salt
- Lint free dish cloth/paper towels
How to Clean Cast Iron Cookware
Most of us have a cast iron tawa to make that crispy dosa or a cast iron skillet to cook those perfect eggs for our kids. However, cleaning them effectively without ruining their top coating is challenging. So, we recommend following these simple steps to keep your cast iron cookware germ-free and in good condition.
Step 1: Wash With Hot Water
To remove stubborn pieces of stuck food, we feel it’s best to first wash the dishes in hot running water. Another way we can do it is by simmering the dish in water for 3 to 5 minutes and then use a stiff bristle brush once it has cooled.
Step 2: Use a Small Quantity of Soap
For the removal of all the grease and grime from a cast iron pan, you will need to wash it with an antibacterial dishwashing liquid. We have struggled at times trying to keep our utensils germ-free as there are some food residue and grease that are stubborn and difficult to remove. These vessels with leftover residue are milling with germs and bacteria. However, we were pleasantly surprised when we used Vim Dishwash Anti Bac Liquid. The grease and stains that used to take forever to come off started to vanish almost instantly. On checking the packaging, we found that it has Neem as one of the primary ingredients. Neem extract is known for its germ protection properties, and has been a traditional germ killer in our country for centuries now. One of the best features of this dishwashing liquid is that it does not leave behind any powdery white residue on the utensils.
Step 3: Dry Them Thoroughly
We generally use a lint- free cloth or paper towel to dry the dishes after washing. However, we tried drying our cast iron dishes by simply placing them on the burner for 30 seconds, until the water evaporated completely. This ensured that it dried completely without leaving any trace of moisture, as even a drop of water can result in the rusting of the pan.
Step 4: Re-season the Cookware
Once dry, turn off the heat and rub a few drops of cooking oil onto the inner surface of your cookware to season it. We have seen that it's best to reseason our cast iron cookware after each wash. This replenishes the layer of seasoning that may have been stripped off during the washing process. We also suggest that you use a paper towel to wipe the surface so that no oil residue or moisture is left on it.
How to Clean Chopping Boards
Whether it is to chop fruits for our kids or to cut meat for making their favourite burger patties, most of us use either wooden or plastic chopping boards in our kitchens. We have noticed that using different chopping boards for raw meat and vegetable produce helps in preventing cross contamination. You can clean them effectively by following the given steps.
Step 1: Rinse the Chopping Boards to Remove All Residue
You need to first wash your chopping boards well with hot water.
Step 2: Scrub Thoroughly
This step involves using an antibacterial dishwashing liquid on the boards and scrubbing the board with a brush or sponge. In case there are any knife marks, scratches or grooves on its surface, make sure you give those areas an extra scrubbing as they can end up being potential breeding grounds for bacteria. Our experience has taught us that it's best to wash both sides of the board even if you are using only one side, especially while handling raw meat. This is because meat juices can drip and contaminate the other side as well. We have found Vim Dishwash Anti Bac Liquid to be the perfect product for removing germs and bacteria from our utensils. As parents, our kids' health and safety is our top priority, which is why we have come to trust Vim Dishwash Anti Bac Liquid with its antibacterial properties.
Step 3 : Rinse the Chopping Boards
Once the scrubbing is over, rinse the chopping boards with tap water thoroughly to get rid of any residue. It must be noted that plastic chopping boards can be washed in a dishwasher whereas a wooden chopping board needs to be washed by hand. A dishwasher can make the wooden board crack and warp.
Step 4: Dry the Chopping Board
Both wooden and plastic chopping boards need to be propped up right after the wash, so that they can dry thoroughly.
How to Clean a Cheese Grater
With cheese being a favourite among children, it goes without saying that a cheese grater will be used often in the kitchen. But, we’ve seen that cleaning between its grooves can be tough and we need to ensure that it is completely free of germs . Not to worry, these simple steps will help you clean the cheese grater easily.
Step 1: Soak in Soapy Water
A dishwasher may reduce the life of stainless-steel tools like these, which is why we suggest that you wash them by hand. In our experience, it’s best if you clean them immediately after use as this will prevent any cheese or veggies from drying out and getting stuck on them. Begin cleaning these tools by soaking them in a solution of warm soapy water for 30 - 40 minutes. This can be easily prepared by adding a couple of drops of an antibacterial dishwashing liquid like Vim Dishwash Anti Bac Liquid to water.
Step 2: Use a Sponge
Next, we use a soapy sponge to get rid of the leftover piece of cheese from the grater, preferably in the direction of the blades. Be careful when cleaning the grater so as to avoid cutting your hand/finger. Rinse off with hot water.
Step 3: Dry the Grater
We typically dry the cheese grater and other steel utensils by using a clean microfiber towel.
How to Clean a Whisk
Whisks can be difficult to clean, especially when handling bacteria-prone food like eggs or greasy oils like olive oil. We all have spent a good amount of time trying to wedge a soapy sponge between the wire loops to get rid of some food remnants. But, after some amount of trial and error, we have finally come up with a solution. Follow the simple steps given below to clean your whisk.
Step 1: Make a Soapy Solution
Make a quick solution by dissolving some drops of an antibacterial dishwashing liquid in water.
Step 2: Clean it The Way You Would Use it
Using the same motion you would use to whisk eggs, whisk the soapy solution vigorously. This is a great way to clean all the surfaces of the whisk.
Step 3: Rinse Well
You need to rinse the whisk again in hot water to get rid of the cleaning detergent completely.
Step 4: Dry The Whisk
We dry the whisk by setting it out on the kitchen counter to air dry. You can also wipe it dry with a kitchen towel if using immediately.
How to Clean Knives, Wooden Spoons and Rolling Pins
Knives, wooden spoons and rolling pins should not be washed in the dishwasher as the heat and detergent can damage them pretty quickly.
Step 1: Soak in Soapy Water
Soak these items in a solution of Vim Dishwash Anti Bac Liquid and water first. Ensure knives are soaked with their blades facing away from you, and in shallow water, where they can easily be seen. Otherwise someone might reach into the water, especially little kids, and cut themselves. We have noticed that wooden spoons shouldn’t be soaked for long as prolonged exposure will damage the wood.
Step 2: Scrub Well
To remove any obstinate stains from the knives or sticky dough from the rolling pin, we feel that a good scrub will get rid of them easily.
Step 3: Rinse Properly
Wash off the soapy water from the surfaces.
Step 4: Wipe Dry
Wipe them dry after rinsing in water. If the wooden spoons are looking very dry, you can grease them with cooking oil.
Clean the Entire Kitchen
Once you have germ-free utensils, it is essential to clean your entire kitchen as well, which means addressing all the different parts of the kitchen. These include surfaces like countertops, kitchen sinks, gas stove and so on.
Things to Keep in Mind While Cleaning Non-stick Cookware
Make sure that if you are using non-stick cookware, you replace it after every 5 years. But, if the pan is damaged, it is best to discard it immediately. We are aware that non-stick pans that are chipped or scratched tend to release toxic compounds. Even high temperatures can lead to the breakdown of the coating on these pans. To prevent your non-stick pan from chipping or getting scratched, use only wooden spoons, steer clear of steel wool scrubbers and avoid stacking these pans. We’ve noticed that Vim Dishwash Anti Bac Liquid cleans non-stick utensils effectively without damaging them. Non-stick cookware can be used once in a while on a low flame, however for daily cooking, it’s best to opt for stainless steel vessels or cast iron-based cookware.
Key Step
The kitchen sponge is known to be one of the most bacteria-ridden household objects. This is why sanitizing these sponges is critical. To prevent cross contamination, use separate sponges for dishes and other purposes like cleaning kitchen countertops and spills. Also, remember to clean them frequently and ensure they are replaced every month.
Originally published