Remodeling your kitchen may be a dream come true. You likely have a ton of ideas about new appliances, countertop colors, etc. However, one aspect that should get your attention during the design process is the sanitation of your cooking space.
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Here are some useful tips you can implement in your design to ensure your kitchen stays as sanitary as possible:
Touchless Faucets
Gone are the days of having to turn the knob or lift the faucet to turn the water on. Now, there are touchless faucets out there that you can install in your kitchen. Simply wave your hands underneath the faucet and it will start the water flow. This greatly helps to decrease the number of germs that accumulate on your kitchen faucet.
Easy-to-Clean Materials
Regarding appliances, one of the easiest materials to maintain is stainless steel. Unlike cast iron, stainless steel doesn’t stain from food or beverages—hence “stainless.” So consider purchasing appliances and even a sink that’s made of stainless steel. When it comes to the raw materials for your backsplash and ceiling, tile—just like stainless steel—is a very easy material to clean. The easier the materials are to clean, the more often you’ll be inclined to clean your kitchen.
Separate Storage Areas
When it comes to items like cutting boards, you want to ensure that you have different ones for different foods. You should have a separate cutting board for meats, vegetables and other foods. While you may do your best to clean your cutting boards, they’ll still contain some leftover residue. If you simply stack your cutting boards on top of one another, then you’re cross-contaminating. Instead, have separate storage areas designed during your remodel for individual cutting boards.
Opt for Enclosed Garbage Bins
The trash is one area of your kitchen that you may wish you could do without. However, since that’s not an option, there are some things that you can do to minimize the amount of odor and germs that occur in your kitchen. Consider enclosing your garbage bin. If possible, have your bins installed in a pull-out cabinet. If your new design doesn’t allow for excess area, then consider purchasing a step-on container that seals up after each use.
Remodeling your kitchen is a big step. When it comes to the design, you should ensure that you’re taking the sanitation needs of your family into account. The above are just four of the many ways you can remodel your kitchen with sanitation in mind.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She recommends New Ceiling Tiles, LLC. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information, contact Chaplan via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
