Many housewives have the habit of using the same cutting board or utensils year after year without realizing that the lifespan of these items is actually quite short.
Here are some kitchen items that need to be replaced after a certain period of time to ensure hygiene and safety.
Cutting Board
Food-contact cutting boards, whether in a dining kitchen or a high-end restaurant, pose health risks, especially when they have scratches. Salmonella and E.coli bacteria often get trapped in the scratches of old cutting boards, causing food poisoning, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Washing the cutting board after each use is not enough to protect you, as it is very difficult to clean the scratches and grooves thoroughly.
Therefore, you should replace this kitchen utensil regularly. Experts recommend changing the cutting board about 3 times a year, depending on how often you use it.
If your cutting board looks old, scratched, or has cracks, you need to replace it because the cracks are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria.
Each utensil has its own expiration date and needs to be replaced on time.
Knife
You should use a knife for 2 years with proper cleaning and storage so that they do not become dull or rusty. If the knife blade or handle is damaged or shows signs of cracking, you can replace it with a new knife before the expiration date.
Bamboo and Wooden Chopsticks
Replace your chopsticks every 3 – 6 months, pay attention to hygiene and keep them dry. Regularly disinfect them with hot water, and throw away any chopsticks that have mold.
In addition, if the chopsticks have the following signs, you should also discard them immediately: worn-out chopsticks, color change, cracked or grooved chopsticks, or unpleasant odor.
Non-stick Cookware
Non-stick pans and pots can only be used for 2-3 years, even if the coating still looks intact. Using non-stick cookware for a long time can be harmful to your health because Teflon (the non-stick substance) can release up to 6 types of toxic gases.
Vegetable and Fruit Peeler
It is very difficult to completely clean and remove food residues and bacteria on these utensils. In addition, the knife blades become dull over time and the equipment operates less efficiently. You should replace it after a few months to 2-3 years of use.
Dish Scrubber
Although it is used to clean dishes, the dish scrubber is a breeding ground for bacteria and even mold. Small scrubbers should be replaced regularly, ideally every week. Larger scrubbers should be replaced every 2 weeks because they have better ventilation and dry faster.
Dish scrubbers should be replaced every 2 weeks.
Kitchen Towel
Kitchen towels are one of the dirtiest items. You touch them all the time, before or after washing your hands and while cooking. And this is how bacteria invade your food.
Therefore, housewives should never use the same towel to wipe everything, but discard and replace it immediately. Daily, disinfect the towel by boiling it in hot water for about 2-3 minutes, and after a few weeks, if possible, buy a new towel. Buy multiple towels for different purposes, use different colors to distinguish and avoid cross-contamination.
Using Cutting Boards Properly
Classify the cutting boards when cooking: Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables, ready-to-eat food. Make sure you don’t mix the cutting boards. To distinguish them, you can mark or buy cutting boards with different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Sterilize cutting boards: If just washing with water, the cutting board will not be perfectly clean and hygienic. Sterilize it with boiling water or salt water, rinse with clean water and dry with paper towels (not soft towels).
Avoid using towels for wiping: Do you think you’re cleaning the cutting board by using a towel to wipe the food scraps on it? Studies have shown that kitchen towels are often the dirtiest thing in your home. If you need to wipe the cutting board to prepare raw meat or vegetables, don’t use fabric towels. Bacteria from food will dirty the fabric and then spread around the kitchen when you wipe the surfaces of other utensils.
Source: VTC.vn
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