As we age, maintaining a clean and hygienic home becomes even more important for our health and well-being. The kitchen, being the heart of the home, is a hotspot for germs and bacteria, making it crucial to clean and disinfect surfaces properly. However, a professional cleaner from Sydney has recently highlighted a common mistake many of us make when cleaning our kitchen benches, which could mean they aren't actually disinfected.

The cleaner's advice is simple yet eye-opening: merely spraying and wiping isn't enough to kill the germs that lurk on our kitchen surfaces. To truly disinfect, we need to follow a specific process that ensures our efforts are effective.


Firstly, before reaching for that disinfectant spray, it's essential to clean the bench with warm soapy water. This initial step removes dirt and debris, which can harbor bacteria and impede the effectiveness of disinfectants. It's a bit like clearing the battlefield so that the disinfectant can do its job without any obstacles.


Once the surface is clean, it's time to apply a cleaner that specifically states 'disinfectant' on the packaging. But here's where many of us trip up: to properly disinfect the surface, the cleaner must be left on for a specified amount of time—usually around 10 minutes, though it's important to check the instructions on the bottle.


After the recommended time has elapsed, you can then wipe the disinfectant off with a damp cloth. The professional cleaner suggests using an 'S' motion, moving from one end of the bench to the other, to avoid recontaminating areas you've already wiped.

This method isn't just for kitchen benches; it's applicable to toilets, showers, bedside tables, sinks, and any other surface that needs disinfecting. It's a universal approach to ensuring that our homes are not just clean, but hygienically safe.

Dr. David Weber, a professor of medicine and epidemiology, reinforces this method by explaining that for a germicide to be effective, it must come into direct contact with the germs. A layer of grime can protect bacteria, which is why cleaning must precede disinfection.


Moreover, the concept of letting a disinfectant 'dwell' on the surface before wiping it off is crucial. The time listed on the packaging is the minimum amount needed for the product to kill germs effectively. If the disinfectant dries before this time, it's advisable to respray to maintain the necessary wetness for the entire duration.

In our newsletter, we often share tips and tricks for keeping your home in tip-top shape, and this piece of advice is particularly important. By following these steps, you can ensure that your kitchen bench and other surfaces in your home are truly disinfected, protecting you and your loved ones from harmful bacteria and viruses.

We invite you to join our WhatsApp channel for more insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle, where you can stay updated on the latest in celebrity, lifestyle, and opinion content. Remember, a clean home is a happy home, and by avoiding this common cleaning blunder, you're taking an important step towards a healthier living environment.


So, dear readers, have you been making this mistake when disinfecting your home? Share your cleaning experiences and tips with us in the comments below. Let's learn from each other and keep our homes safe and sparkling clean!