What Cleaning Products Should I Use In A Catering Kitchen
Cleaning A Catering Kitchen
If you are in the catering trade, you’ll be aware that no matter how big or small the business and kitchen, or what type of food you produce, that mess is always going to build up during a busy shift.
As such, it is important to make sure that your kitchen is cleaned thoroughly and properly so that everything is ready for the next shift and also to avoid getting into any legal issues if there is an impromptu visit from the Food Standards Agency. Obviously it’s a good idea to clean as you go anyway, but what cleaning products do you need to have a clean hygienic kitchen?
Cleanliness is important in a kitchen environment; all surfaces need to be suitable and appropriate for the preparation of food. This means that wall need to be painted or plastered – without cracks –work surfaces should be stainless steel and flooring needs to be non-slip laminate or tiles. These surfaces are designed to be easily cleaned, however it is important to have the right cleaning products to make sure the best standards of cleanliness and hygiene are achieved It is important to make sure that you also have the correct range of janitorial products that are required for a deep clean, with different colours for different areas; and if you’re not using disposable cloths then these need to be washed thoroughly in order to ensure they are in a condition that is fit for the purpose of cleaning food surfaces. It is generally believed the best option in terms of cleaning cloths from a hygiene point of view, are microfiber cloths.
In terms of catering chemicals and cleaning products there are a number of things you should have on hand to keep your kitchen clean and hygienic:
– Multi Surface cleaner – as the name suggests this is designed for a range of surfaces. This cuts through dirt grime and grease and is often alkali based, which means that it is generally safe on all hard surfaces.
– Kitchen Sanitiser – does a similar job in terms of grime and dirt, but also has a bactericidal action which is a preventative measure against germs and bacteria, therefore making your surfaces safe for food preparation.
– Oven and Grill Cleaner – this removes the grime and grease that can build up in a catering oven, and keeps them in a state that helps them function at their best and suitable for contact with food.
– Heavy duty degreaser powder- ideal for doing a deep clean of a kitchen, this can be used on the floors in a strong concentration; or for cleansing surfaces in less concentrated doses.
– Industrial bleach – good to use on floors and sinks in order to make sure no lingering germs are present.
As with all catering chemicals, it is important that these are handled with care and the instructions are followed, this is both for the safety of you and yourself, and to ensure that there are no mishaps which could lead to contamination of products.
All in all, it is important that you keep your kitchen clean and you have the right catering chemicals and janitorial products on hand in order to make sure you are adhering to health and safety standards for your industry.