Let's hope your kitchen cupboard is not bare like Mother Hubbard's. But only when your cupboard is bare, should you not take care to keep it scrupulously clean! The main reason why kitchen cupboards could be germ traps is that they are used as food storage spaces and are often not cleaned as frequently as they should be. Kitchen cupboards are often also moist and humid – especially those surrounding the sink and the dishwasher – turning them into ideal breeding grounds for a myriad of bacteria and insects Food spillages are also problematic, as are crusts that form around screw top bottles. Bacteria such as Clostridium thrive in kitchen cupboards, as they breed in foods left at room temperature. Dust mites and fish moths are also frequently found in kitchen cupboards, as are cockroaches. | This may not be the most stimulating activity in your life, but regular cleaning of kitchen cupboards is essential. Reward yourself with a movie or a nice magazine when you have done this. Old foodstuffs must be discarded – especially those that are not properly sealed. Paper packets and cardboard containers must not be left open, as it can attract mites that love grain products. These mites can cause skin irritations in humans. Cockroaches will also be attracted to open foodstuffs.
All bacteria can thrive in a hot and humid kitchen cupboard and it is therefore essential that any spillages should be cleaned up immediately. Cockroaches also can thrive in hot and humid conditions and it is essential to deal with this problem before it gets out of hand. An insecticide, preferably odourless must be sprayed here. Take care that you remove all foodstuffs from the cupboard before spraying.
Cupboards must be lined with special liners and the cupboards emptied and washed at least once a month using an antibacterial household cleaner. Wait until the cupboards are dry before putting in new linings and restocking them. Keep cupboard doors closed to minimise dust deposits. If there is a cockroach problem in your kitchen, call in the professionals.
Handy hint:
Can't get rid of musty smells in your kitchen cupboard even after scrubbing and washing? Place a saucer with baking soda in the back of the cupboard - it will absorb all the smells.
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