I'm not sure how dish towel & sponge is not on this list is beyond me...
1. Refrigerator Vegetable Compartments
Dark, moist environments are breeding grounds for bacteria, even inside the cold confines of a fridge. Crispers for produce are a feature on all of our best refrigerators. These compartments come into direct contact with your fruits and veggies, so it's important to clean them monthly, if not more often. If you can, remove the drawers. Wash them in warm water with a mild detergent using a clean sponge or cloth. If you sniff out any lingering odors, give them another wash with a solution of a quart of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Smart tip: Keep washed and packaged produce separate from raw or unwashed produce.
2. Refrigerator Meat Compartment
In the meat compartment you have the added problem of meat juices leaking out. Clean this area at least once a month exactly the same way as the produce crispers. But be sure to clean it whenever you see any spilled meat juices. If you're storing meat on a shelf, use the lowest one, so that spillage doesn't drip down on anything else.
3. Blender Gasket
For those of us who don't have a degree in blender engineering, the blender gasket is the rubber ring that creates a seal between the blade assembly and the jar. Most blenders, including GHRI's top picks, are built this way. The gasket becomes very dirty if the jar isn't completely disassembled for cleaning. After unplugging the blender, take apart the blender jar, which includes removing the blade and gasket. If the pieces are dishwasher safe (consult your manual) place them in the dishwasher. If not, wash the jar, blade, gasket and lid in hot, soapy water, then dry them completely before reassembling.
4. Can Opener
Who would have thought the unassuming can opener would be so germy? Even though only tiny amounts of food residue linger on the blade, organisms begin to thrive on them. Then, the next time you open a can, the cutting wheel transfers the little buggers to clean food. If your can opener is dishwasher safe, throw it in the machine after each use. Otherwise, wash it with soap in hot water, making sure to pay special attention to every part of the blade.
5. Rubber Spatulas
Great for scraping every last bit of brownie mix out of a bowl, but also a hiding place for bacteria. Like the blender, the problem comes from not adequately disassembling the rubber spatula after it's used. Gunk can build up in the cracks and crevices and won't necessarily be eliminated during cleaning. Make sure to disassemble your spatulas during hand-washing. If yours is a one-piecer, be extra diligent about cleaning the area where the spatula connects with the handle. Spatulas that are dishwasher safe should be taken apart and the pieces placed in the flatware basket.
6. Food Storage Containers with Rubber Seals
If you're storing food, you don't want the container, the very thing that's supposed to protect it, to contaminate it. Many containers have grooves in the rubber seal to create an airtight closure. If you don't pay special attention to these crevices, they can harbor germs that will find their way into your lunch when you pull out yesterday's leftovers. Make sure the lid goes into the dishwasher with the container or inspect the rubber seal to make sure there's nothing left over after hand washing.
1. Refrigerator Vegetable Compartments
Dark, moist environments are breeding grounds for bacteria, even inside the cold confines of a fridge. Crispers for produce are a feature on all of our best refrigerators. These compartments come into direct contact with your fruits and veggies, so it's important to clean them monthly, if not more often. If you can, remove the drawers. Wash them in warm water with a mild detergent using a clean sponge or cloth. If you sniff out any lingering odors, give them another wash with a solution of a quart of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Smart tip: Keep washed and packaged produce separate from raw or unwashed produce.
2. Refrigerator Meat Compartment
In the meat compartment you have the added problem of meat juices leaking out. Clean this area at least once a month exactly the same way as the produce crispers. But be sure to clean it whenever you see any spilled meat juices. If you're storing meat on a shelf, use the lowest one, so that spillage doesn't drip down on anything else.
3. Blender Gasket
For those of us who don't have a degree in blender engineering, the blender gasket is the rubber ring that creates a seal between the blade assembly and the jar. Most blenders, including GHRI's top picks, are built this way. The gasket becomes very dirty if the jar isn't completely disassembled for cleaning. After unplugging the blender, take apart the blender jar, which includes removing the blade and gasket. If the pieces are dishwasher safe (consult your manual) place them in the dishwasher. If not, wash the jar, blade, gasket and lid in hot, soapy water, then dry them completely before reassembling.
4. Can Opener
Who would have thought the unassuming can opener would be so germy? Even though only tiny amounts of food residue linger on the blade, organisms begin to thrive on them. Then, the next time you open a can, the cutting wheel transfers the little buggers to clean food. If your can opener is dishwasher safe, throw it in the machine after each use. Otherwise, wash it with soap in hot water, making sure to pay special attention to every part of the blade.
5. Rubber Spatulas
Great for scraping every last bit of brownie mix out of a bowl, but also a hiding place for bacteria. Like the blender, the problem comes from not adequately disassembling the rubber spatula after it's used. Gunk can build up in the cracks and crevices and won't necessarily be eliminated during cleaning. Make sure to disassemble your spatulas during hand-washing. If yours is a one-piecer, be extra diligent about cleaning the area where the spatula connects with the handle. Spatulas that are dishwasher safe should be taken apart and the pieces placed in the flatware basket.
6. Food Storage Containers with Rubber Seals
If you're storing food, you don't want the container, the very thing that's supposed to protect it, to contaminate it. Many containers have grooves in the rubber seal to create an airtight closure. If you don't pay special attention to these crevices, they can harbor germs that will find their way into your lunch when you pull out yesterday's leftovers. Make sure the lid goes into the dishwasher with the container or inspect the rubber seal to make sure there's nothing left over after hand washing.
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