You wash your utensils and dishes every day. You always choose the easiest way to wash and dry these utensils. But you have to learn the correct method to do so. This article will tell you what can or cannot be used to dry the utensils.
What Cannot Be Used To Dry Utensils?
Here are the things you can’t use to dry utensils:
Towel
Many people use dish towels to dry their dishes and utensils. But this doesn’t seem right. The reason is that a dish towel may contain food allergens, mites, and dust, which will eventually get into food items. Thus it can have a harmful impact on your health.
Tea Towel
Some people use a tea towel to clean dishes. However, a tea towel is the worst material for drying kitchen utensils.
Dishwashing Pads or Sponges
Sponges are places for various bacteria to grow. Due to the moisture, it becomes a fertile place for fungi and bacteria. If you use dishwashing pads or sponges to dry utensils, your family will be susceptible to various skin diseases.
Washboard Table
A washboard table cannot be used to dry utensils. It has no place for the water to go out. Water would remain on the table. It means that the dishes would not be able to be air-dried.
Don’t Use Towels or Cloths
Many people use towels and cloth napkins to dry the dishes and utensils. However, it’s not safe. A towel or cloth is not a tool to dry utensils. It contains food allergens, mites, and dust, which will eventually get into food. It can negatively impact your health.
A professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona said that one should not use towels to dry dishes and other kitchen utensils. If the towel or cloth is dirty, the dinner plate can be infected with various bacteria.
But it is difficult for us to avoid this deep-rooted habit. Drying dishes with towels and cloth napkins has been done for generations.
So, What Do You Use to Dry Utensils?
You put the wet utensils on air for drying in the food industry. However, you might use a towel at home.
Once you have washed the utensils, you can store them in a clean, sanitized dish rack for air drying. A wide variety of dish racks are available in the market. When your utensils and other dishes have dried, you can keep them on a clean surface. Always store any cups, plates, or bowls upside down.
Steps for Washing and Drying in the Food Industry
Washing and drying in the food industry involve many steps. Many people get sick every year in the USA due to bad hygiene. Therefore, everyone needs to know the steps for washing and drying the utensils. These steps ensure the safety of the customers. So, there is a lot more to learn.
Step 1: Prepare the sink and dishes
The first thing you need to do is clean and clear the washing area. Wash your sink thoroughly. Throw a scrap of food into the garbage. It would be best if you sanitize your sink before washing the dishes. It will make the environment safe for your kitchen utensils.
Step 2: Wash the dishes
This step involves the washing process. You need to establish your sink with hot and soapy water. Do not use cold water. Coldwater will cause the suds to disappear.
First, remove the food leftovers from the plates, if any. Then wash dishes and other kitchen tools with soapy water.
Step 3: Rinse the Dishes
Once you have washed your dishes with soapy water, use your second sink to rinse the dishes. Again use hot water to clean your dishes.
Step 4: Sanitize the dishes
Many kitchens have three sinks. So you can use the third sink for sanitizing your dishes.
Soak all the dishes in the sanitizing solution for a specific amount of time.
Step 5: Air dry the Dishes
Do not use towels or any other clothes to dry your utensils. Let them in the air for drying. After drying, store your dishes and utensils in the dish rack.
How to Sanitize Your Kitchen Utensils?
If you want to sanitize kitchen utensils to remove harmful bacteria, you can follow these steps:
- Remove the detachable parts of the utensils. These parts include blades, plastic or wooden handles, and screens.
- Wash your dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and separate parts with soapy water. You can also use a brush for washing dishes.
- Now rinse them in clear water after washing.
- Place items in a basket or any other container. Immerse them in a sanitizing solution. You can prepare sanitizing solution by mixing one tablespoon unscented chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of warm water. Do not use hot water.
- In the end, air-dry dishes in a clean drying rack. Avoid using towels or clothes. It can recontaminate the kitchenware.
How Do You Keep Your Cleaning Materials Clean?
The kitchen cleaning material includes sponges, brushes, dusters, and microfibre or cotton clothes. Here is the detail on how to clean them.
Sponges and Brushes
Cleaning is essential for sponges and brushes. The reason is that they are used in the kitchen as part of food preparation. You need chlorine bleach and hot water to wash them.
Instructions:
- Thoroughly rinse the sponge and brush in hot water after every use. After washing, store them upright so that they will dry quickly.
- After one week, mix a solution of one-gallon hot water and one-half cup chlorine bleach. Allow the sponges and brushes to soak for 5-10 minutes. Do not soak brushes in chlorine bleach solution that have wooden bases or handles. In the end, allow them to dry in the air.
Dusters
Dusters must be cleaned after every use. You need dishwashing liquid and warm water to wash them.
Instructions:
After every use, take the duster outside. Tap the handle against something firm to remove loose dust.
If the duster looks soiled, mix a solution of warm water and a bit of dishwashing liquid. Dip the duster in the mixture for several minutes. Rinse with warm water to remove soap properly.
Cotton and Microfiber Cloths
These clothes have their strengths when doing chores. Cotton cloths are used for heavy-duty jobs and anything that involves oily or harsh cleaning products. Microfibre cloths are more delicate and should never be used for heavy cleaning jobs. You can use them for dusting or drying dishes only.
You need heavy-duty laundry detergent, chlorine bleach, and a degreaser to wash these clothes.
Instructions:
You can clean cloth using hot water and heavy-duty detergent in the washing machine. It will remove soil. Add chlorine bleach to the rinse cycle if you want to prevent the growth of bacteria. If the cotton cloths are coated with grease, allow them to presoak in a hot water solution and a degreaser. Allow them to line dry.
Wash microfiber cloths in warm water. Avoid any fabric softeners or dryer sheets. It will disrupt the dust-attracting qualities of the fibers.
How long should Utensils be Sanitized?
Suppose you use the hot water method to sanitize your dishes and utensils. In this case, the water temperature must be at least 171°F. The dishes must remain submerged for at least 30 seconds. If you use a chemical sanitizer, follow the instructions on the packaging for proper concentration and time.
The general method to sanitize your utensils is as follows:
- Remove the detachable parts of the utensils.
- Wash your dirty dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and separate parts with soapy water.
- Now rinse them in clear water after washing.
- Place items in a basket or any other container. Immerse them in a sanitizing solution.
- In the end, air-dry dishes in a clean and sanitized dish drying rack. Avoid using towels or clothes. It can recontaminate the kitchenware.
What is the most important Factor to consider Smart utensils?
Here are some important factors you need to consider while purchasing smart utensils:
The Available Budget:
When choosing kitchen equipment, the most important thing to consider is your available budget. The price can be determined by material, quality, brand name, or unique style. Always choose the equipment you can afford. If you don’t have a large budget, it is recommended to stick to mid-range and slightly above-average prices for the best possible compromise between cost and performance.
The Dimensions:
When selecting smart kitchen appliances, the dimensions of the products are another critical aspect you shouldn’t overlook. The available space you have in your kitchen will dictate the size of the appliances.
The Energy Efficiency
Another aspect you might want to consider when shopping for kitchen equipment is the product’s energy efficiency. Always go for more efficient appliances. It will cut down unnecessary energy use. Moreover, it will also allow you to save on monthly electric bills. It means that energy-efficient appliances often become much more affordable over time, even if the initial cost might have been higher. Considering these aspects, it would be best to opt for an Energy Star Product to ensure optimal efficiency and performance of your appliances.
FAQ –
It’s always essential to dry the dishes after washing. Because wet dishes can become contaminated with bacteria. Here are some methods to dry dishes after washing:
Drying in the dishwasher: Drying dishes inside the dishwasher is the best option. The drying cycle reaches high temperatures in the dishwasher. It destroys germs and bacteria.
Air Drying: If you don’t have a dishwasher, air dry your utensils. It is generally a sanitary method to dry dishes at home.
Drying with a Paper Towel: Paper towels are single-use. So they won’t spread bacteria around your utensils.
Drying with a Dishtowel: You can also use a dishtowel to dry your dishes.
Stainless steel cookware contains chromium and nickel. They have a designated number that reveals the percentage of each metal. The first number indicates chromium content. The second number indicates nickel content.
Most stainless steel pans are rated 18/10. It means that they are made from 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel. Pans with high nickel content ratings are generally non-reactive. On the other hand, pans with nickel content below 8 percent are more likely to react with foods during the cooking process.
However, even stainless steel pans with high nickel content can leach metals into food without proper care, particularly if the surface is damaged.
First, you need to understand the difference between cleaners and disinfectants. Cleaners usually remove dirt, debris, and germs from a surface physically. They don’t kill germs. On the other hand, disinfectantsdestroy germs on contact.
White distilled vinegar is a good cleaner. It contains 5 percent acetic acid. It can dissolve dirt, debris, and grime. However, you can’t use it as a disinfectant. It can only kill certain types of pathogens. Therefore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) didn’t consider vinegar as a disinfectant.
Although white vinegar is not a good disinfectant, it’s a great cleaner. Its high acidity can break down the stubborn buildup of soap, dirt, and scum. You can use it to remove dirt from:
1. Glass
2. Windows
3. Countertops
4. Sinks
5. Stovetops
6. Coffee makers
7. Showerheads
However, white vinegar isn’t safe to use on some surfaces. Its acidity may damage surfaces like:
1. Waxed wood
2. Granite
3. Marble
4. Soapstone
5. Aluminum
6. Cast iron
You can follow these steps to keep your kitchen sponge sanitary:
1. Wring out your sponge completely after each use.
2. Wash off any loose food or debris.
3. Store it in a dry place.
4. Do not place your sponge wet on a countertop. It takes longer for it to dry. It also allows bacteria to grow.
Fungi or pathogenic bacteria can grow if you don’t dry your dishes properly. The reason is that moisture creates a perfect environment for the growth of pathologic bacteria. It is better to avoid contacting it. Otherwise, it may cause diseases in digestion and general health. That’s why it is necessary to clean and dry dishes properly.
The most convenient and affordable way to dry dishes is on dish racks. There are many hanging dryers available in the market. They can be easily installed on any free wall. The most standard option for you is a two-tier dryer. It does not take up much space. You can easily place a lot of dishes on it.
A dishtowel can harbor all sorts of bacteria. Sometimes you wipe your hands with it. You also use it to dry the counter, and then you use it to dry the dishes. Therefore, it’s safe to air dry your dishes than to use a dishtowel.
Final words
Concisely speaking, you cannot use dishtowels, cloth napkins, or a washboard table to dry utensils. Always air dry your dishes and keep them in the sanitized dish racks. You can also use a dishwasher dryer to dry the kitchen items. What is the proper way to sanitize a table that has been used for preparing food and what are little black bugs in house
