Sanitizing the surfaces in your kitchen after raw chicken drippings have come into contact with plastic cutting boards, tongs, and knives is essential to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food safety. Here's a step-by-step guide to properly sanitize these items:
Materials you'll need:
- Dish soap
- Hot water
- Bleach solution (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water)
- Clean dishcloth or sponge
- Clean towels or paper towels
- Cutting board oil (if you have a wooden cutting board)
Step 1: Safety precautions Before you start, put on disposable gloves to protect your hands from any potential pathogens.
Step 2: Clean the items Wash the cutting board, tongs, and knives thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Use a clean dishcloth or sponge to scrub the surfaces, removing any visible debris or residue.
Step 3: Rinse with hot water Rinse off the soap residue from the items with hot water.
Step 4: Sanitize the surfaces There are two methods you can use to sanitize the items:
Method 1: Using a bleach solution Prepare a bleach solution by mixing 1 tablespoon of regular household bleach with 1 gallon of water. Be careful not to mix bleach with any other cleaning products, as it can produce toxic fumes. Dip the clean dishcloth or sponge into the bleach solution and wipe down the cutting board, tongs, and knives thoroughly. Make sure to cover all surfaces. Let the bleach solution sit on the surfaces for about 1 minute to effectively kill bacteria and pathogens.
Method 2: Using a dishwasher If your cutting board, tongs, and knives are dishwasher-safe, you can place them in the dishwasher and run a sanitizing cycle. The high water temperature in the dishwasher will effectively sanitize the items.
Step 5: Air dry or pat dry Allow the items to air dry completely. If you are using paper towels, use them to pat dry the surfaces.
Step 6: Oil the cutting board (if applicable) If you have a wooden cutting board, it's essential to keep it properly conditioned to prevent the absorption of moisture and potential growth of bacteria. Apply cutting board oil according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 7: Store in a safe zone Once the items are completely dry, store them in a clean and safe area away from any potential sources of contamination. Ensure that the storage area is clean and dry.
Remember, proper food safety practices are crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Always handle raw meat, like chicken, with care, and thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces or utensils that come into contact with it.