A kitchen may look clean, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many infectious germs may be lurking around.

“Neglecting to clean kitchen appliances is not only unhygienic, it’s unhealthy” said “Healthy Housekeeper” Laura Dellutri, author of “Speed Cleaning 101” and “The Overworked Mom’s Stress Free Homekeeping.”

“A regular cleaning schedule helps protect your kitchen from lurking grunge that can cause odors and harbor disease,” Dellutri said.

Dellutri’s tips for helping maintain a healthy kitchen include the following:

•Suspect kitchen sinks. Disinfect the sink after washing meats, fruits and vegetables to help prevent bacteria from multiplying and avoid cross contamination. Use chlorine bleach, water and a soft cloth. Dilute the bleach with water and wipe the sink with cloth dipped in the solution. Rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

•Disease-ridden disposers. Without proper cleansing, garbage disposers can create odors and house organisms that may cause illness and disease such as pneumonia, bronchitis and intestinal flu.

•Grimy dishwashers. Hard water deposits, rust and food may disrupt dishwasher performance and cause odors.

•Reeking refrigerators. To effectively clean a fridge and free it from odor-causing culprits, completely clear it out and remove any expired foods. Use hot soapy water with a germicidal cleaner to remove all food particles and spills. Placing washable refrigerator liners over shelves can help reduce scrubbing when a spill occurs.

•Spotty microwaves. Splatters of food in a microwave may decrease microwave efficiency. Fill a microwave-safe bowl halfway with water, add a tablespoon of vinegar and place it inside the microwave. Run the microwave for five minutes and wipe down the inside with a clean towel or paper towel. The heated water and vinegar will steam up the microwave walls and make wiping away dried-on food a cinch.

“We all need to get in the habit of not just cleaning visible places such as countertops, sinks and floors but also disinfecting out-ofsight areas like the sink’s garbage disposer and the microwave,” said Dellutri.

This article provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.