Kitchen Cleaning Tips And Tricks: Sanitize Like A Pro

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By J.Blackstone · Updated October 16, 2026

Quick AnswerA kitchen that looks clean may not be sanitized. Hot soapy water does not remove all germs, so after cleaning, sanitize counters, cutting boards and sinks, especially after handling raw meat, with a kitchen sanitizer or a diluted bleach solution.

Your kitchen looks all sparkly and would pass the guest test but is it clean enough? No, your kitchen needs to be sanitized. Sanitizing is an important step in keeping your kitchen germ free.

Hot soapy water does not remove all the germs. You need to use sanitizer, especially after handling meat. One effective sanitizer can be homemade.

🧼 Home Made Sanitizer

When sanitizing the kitchen, many people reach for a commercial bleach solution. However, it’s easy to make your own bleach solution at home with just a few ingredients.

How To Mix And Use:

Mix:

2 tsp bleach

2 cups of water

Pour into a spray bottle.

Wash the surface with hot soapy water, rinse and dry, then spray with sanitizer. Let air dry.

For surfaces that it is impractical to spray directly on, wet a clean cloth with the solution and apply or use bleach wipes.

Precautions

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Use proper ventilation.

Your bleach solution needs to be stored in a dark place.

Dump what remains in the bleach spray bottle and make a new solution weekly. Bleach degrades quickly.

Additional precautions:

Use bleach only if it is appropriate for the surface. Bleach may damage some surfaces.
Do not use bleach with added scent–not food safe.
Check the expiration date on your bleach container.
Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
Read the container for instructions and warnings.
Do not spray bleach around electronics.

💡 Quick Tip: For a thorough kitchen cleanup, follow our Complete Kitchen Cleaning Checklist to ensure every corner is sparkling.

Remember, some surfaces may require special care. For instance, if you’re dealing with tough stains, our guide on How to Up Load and Resize Images Using PHP can offer some tech-savvy solutions, though it’s more about image processing, it could inspire creative cleaning techniques!

Sanitizing Your Kitchen

Kitchens can be full of all sorts of nasties – from bacteria to mold and mildew. That’s why it’s important to keep them clean and sanitized.

How Often To Sanitize Your Kitchen

You should sanitize your kitchen once a week. Elderly people, people who are immune-compromised, children younger than 5, and household pets all require more frequent sanitizing. It may need to be done daily.

For surfaces like countertops and tables, a good general rule is to sanitize them after each use.

If you’re handling raw meat, fruits, and vegetables that are likely to harbor bacteria, make sure you give countertops, cutting boards, and knives a good clean with a sanitizing solution afterward. Anything chicken has touched that can’t be put in the dishwasher needs to be sanitized.

And don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

What To Sanitize

Counters and cutting boards
Sinks
Faucets and knobs
Stovetop
Kitchen table
Refrigerator and cupboard handles
Doorknobs
Microwave control buttons
Light switches
Smooth-surfaced high-backed chairs (e.g., wood and plastic)
Garbage pail
Anything frequently touched

Other Areas Of The Home To Sanitize

The bleach solution can be used to sanitize other areas of your home. Focus on items frequently touched, such as doorknobs, light switches, and tabletops, following the abovementioned precautions.

In the bathroom, sanitize faucets, sinks, clothing hampers, bathtub or shower, and the outside of the toilet as well as other items listed above.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning remotes, phones, and other electronic equipment.

💡 Quick Tip: Create a cleaning schedule that fits your family’s routine. Check out our guide on making a family cleaning schedule for tips on keeping everyone on track.

Follow these tips and your kitchen will be sanitized and clean in no time!

Note: Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you purchase an item through these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

💬 FAQ

Can I Use Scented Bleach?

No, only unscented bleach. Scented bleach is not food safe.

What Surfaces Can I Use Bleach On?

Read the instructions and warnings on the bleach container. Bleach may damage some surfaces. Do not use it on electronics.

Can I Mix Bleach With Other Cleaners?

Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Doing so can create harmful fumes.

For more information:

Clean THEN Sanitize: A One-Two Punch to Stop Foodborne Illness in the Kitchen

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About J.Blackstone

Jordan writes the gift guides, holiday checklists and home tips here at Dobibe, tests the ideas on his own busy household, and builds the tools behind FabaShelf, KeyHUD and Root And Coop. Have a question or an idea for a page? Use the message button in the corner; he answers every one.

Clean Kitchen Tips: Sanitize Like A Pro