DO YOU CLEAN THESE ITEMS IN YOUR KITCHEN?

Even if you keep your kitchen counters spotless and appliances shiny, harmful germs may be lurking in places you do not think to clean.

Is your coffee maker dripping slowly? When you brew a pot of coffee, does it taste funny? If so, the water reservoir needs to be cleaned. Left dirty, bacteria and mold grow inside. Not only does this make your coffee taste bad, but it can make you sick.

Cleaning your coffee maker is easy. And cleaning once a month will kill bacteria and mold. It will also flush mineral deposits that clog your coffee maker. These deposits are the reason why your coffee takes longer to drip over time.

Fill the reservoir to the top with equal parts water and white vinegar. Put a paper filter in the basket and brew until the pot is half full. Turn off your coffee maker and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then finish the brewing cycle.

Afterward, brew a pot of clear water using a new paper filter. This will rinse the vinegar out of the machine.

And to prevent future mold growth, leave the reservoir lid open after making coffee so that the inside chamber can dry out.

Even though your dishwasher has soapy water running through it, it still gets dirty. Over time, grease and grime build up. Also, dangerous fungi and black yeast thrive in the damp environment.

Fortunately, this simple cleaning method will clean your dishwasher and make it safe to use.


First, remove the spray arm from the base and rinse it under the sink faucet. Are there any food particles trapped in the small holes? If so, use a toothpick to remove them. Then reinstall the spray arm.

Next, place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe container on the upper rack. Run the dishwasher empty through a hot-water cycle.

Now it is disinfected and odor free.

Kitchen trash cans get disgusting. Even when you use liners, bags can tear, and spills happen. Sticky liquids and crumbs end up at the bottom of the can, causing bad odors, mold, and bacteria growth.

Cleaning is easiest if done outside. Squirt a little detergent in the bottom and spray the inside and outside with a garden hose. Rinse and towel dry or leave it in the sun to dry out.

You can also wash a garbage can in the bathtub. Use a sanitized toilet brush and hot soapy water. Dry the inside and outside with a clean towel.

Let's face it. Sometimes it is easy to ignore spills that happen in the fridge. But those sticky spills and residue from food create opportunities for bacteria and mold to grow inside your fridge.

Emptying your fridge is the easiest way to make sure every surface gets clean.

Use a solution of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle to clean inside your fridge.

Because vinegar is non-toxic, it is safe to use around food. Best of all it kills mold and certain bacterias that are dangerous to your health.

Spray all surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. If your shelves and drawers are removable, take them out and wash them with warm soapy water. If not, spray them too.

Before returning food to the fridge, wipe down all containers and bottles with the water-vinegar mix.

And don’t forget to clean the door seals which get sticky and collect crumbs. Warm, soapy water should do the trick. Afterward, dry with a clean cloth.

These cleaning tips will help kill harmful germs in your kitchen.

And if you live in Santa Cruz County and need help getting your kitchen in order, call us at Bee-Clene.