You probably spend a lot of time in your kitchen, whether you’re cooking, hanging out with friends and family, or perhaps even working there – many people use their kitchen table as a makeshift office or a kids’ homework space, for example.
However, did you know that being in your kitchen could be making you sick? The truth is that although you might think that the kitchen is the cleanest, and therefore healthiest, room in the house, it could actually be the one that’s worst for you. Read on to find out why this is and how to stay healthy in your kitchen.
Food Waste
One problem that might be making your kitchen more unhealthy than it should be is food waste. When you’re cooking, you’re sure to have some waste, even if you try hard to plan ahead and only buy what you need – skins, peelings, bones, and so on will be left over no matter what.
The issue is that these things can start to rot and cause harmful bacteria in the air, which could make you sick if you breathe it in. At the very least, rotting food smells bad, which is highly unpleasant. Of course, you’re probably not leaving food on the counters (if you are, that needs to stop immediately), but even when it’s in your bin it can start rotting, especially if it’s a while before garbage day. That’s why installing a garbage disposal system is a good idea. When you have one, you don’t have to put food waste in the bin, and you can get rid of it in a hygienic, quick way so it doesn’t have a chance to make you sick.
Ventilation
If you want to make your kitchen a healthier place to be, you’ll need to make sure your ventilation system is working – and that you have one in place to start with. With good air circulation in the kitchen, you’ll be able to remove odors, smoke, or other airborne particles that might make you sick or make using the kitchen unpleasant and uncomfortable.
One thing you can do is install an extractor fan or a range hood above your cooker or stovetop so that cooking fumes are immediately removed from the kitchen, and you won’t have to breathe them in. You should also open your windows when you’re cooking if it’s safe and the weather allows for it, as this will move the air more quickly and reduce any problems you might otherwise have.
Use Green Cleaning Supplies
Having a clean kitchen is a great idea, and it’s certainly something that will help you stay healthy while you’re in there – a dirty kitchen can harbor all kinds of nasty bacteria that can easily make you sick.
However, you should look at the cleaning products you’re using – are they safe? Could they be hurting you and other people in your household? If they’re made with chemicals, they could be. That’s why it’s best to opt for green cleaning supplies made from natural ingredients and why reading the labels before you buy anything can make all the difference to your health. If you prefer, you can actually make your own cleaning products using household items, so it depends on what you prefer, but as long as you’re using green ingredients, your health won’t be at risk.