To not wipe worktops every day?

[fascinated]

Just that, really.

Prompted by the d&v thread. Obviously if I’ve cut meat or esp chicken on them they get wiped with washing up liquid, but I don’t shine em, bleach em, or antibac them ever. They get a rub down with regular washing up liquid when they look dirty. Can be days! Minger?

How often do you wipe them?

[avacadooo]

Now I feel like a freak after reading this...I dettol mine after each meal, each baby bottle made up because formula gets everywhere and every time I sterilise bottles and before bed so around 9 quick wipes and a good scrub before bed every day?
Coincidentally I haven't had food poisoning in five years and that was a dodgy take away like pp said I sure as shit don't want that again.
Once a week even if you're using chopping boards is just pure disgusting, think of the spills or even touching chicken and putting your hand on the counter not thinking about it.

[Everycloud12]

Cleaning your toilet 3 times a day and using 5 bottles of harpic a week is ridiculous.

[ClientListQueen]

@avacadooo if I spill something, I wipe it up there and then. If I have raw chicken out, I clean it as I go. If I haven't cooked in two days, I have no need to wipe the worktops as they're not dirty!
When I'm cooking I wash up and clean as I go so the kitchen is clean when I'm done

[StarClaws]

I prepare food on chopping boards. If I spill something,, I wipe that exact part clean with a wet cloth/sponge/piece of paper towel. Unless it's egg, then I use kitchen spray on it. We're vegetarians so any food spillage is just crumbs/vegetables/flour or whatever, none of which require a deep clean!

I only properly wash the worktops with kitchen spray every week or two.

That's it. And none of us get sick particularly often.

[safariboot]

To add, can confirm that despite our worktops often being left in a "rank" state, nobody's had food poisoning in our house in over a decade. Because the stuff that the food actually touches, including the cook's hands, is kept clean!

[Moraxella]

Most speckled granite does not show the mess

True, but it drives me mad when you thought it was clean and then you catch it from one angle and realise it’s filthy. I wash it with washing up liquid but it leaves a residue and looks dull. What’s best to use for granite worktops?

[KittyMarmalade]

This must be a joke? Who could cook even a slice of toast let alone a whole family meal without spilling some crumbs / spices or something dripping or going off the edge off the chopping board? Surely you'd wipe the surface after?
I use regular kitchen spray and a damp cloth, chucking said cloth into the washer every time I do a wash (I.e. at least once per day).

[Creepster]

I used to use vinegar but the installer told me to use 50/50 alcohol and water in a spray bottle. It works a treat.

[notangelinajolie]

I'm always wiping my worktops down. I wouldn't prepare any food without cleaning it first. I have a cat and although she wouldn't dare jump up when I'm around I'm pretty certain she's up to no good when my back is turned.

[fascinated]

Feel slightly better now! I seem to be somewhere in the middle.

Glad this thread has highlighted the very real problems of

A) overuse of antibac, contributing to antibiotic resistance by killing low level bugs that we need to be exposed to to build natural immunity

B) the overuse of chemicals causing issues for wildlife etc

[BackBoiler]

I do not see why it is deemed excessive to wipe round the kitchen worktops every day. Food is prepared there. I also think that the toilet/sink in the bathroom should also be cleaned everyday because you excrete there. Anything else is an as needed basis in my eyes.

[Dontforgetyourbrolly]

I wipe down the kitchen once or twice a day as needed. Sometimes with soapy water sometimes with flash spray.
I worry about crumbs and mice !

[fascinated]

I do understand the worry about d&v. We generally don’t suffer much with it in this house, despite having a toddler and my relaxed approach to cleaning!

I feel more strongly about outdoor shoes. We are pretty strict about shoes coming off immediately. So much dog poo on paths etc in our town, unfortunately, and I wouldn’t want that tramped through my house! Also, everyone washes hands as soon as they get home.

So in my mind I am trying to create a barrier to germs between our home and the outside world with these two policies...!

[Dontforgetyourbrolly]

I also do not think cleaning your work surfaces is excessive ....if a commercial property did not do this ' for days ' it would be shut down by food safety standards

[PhilCornwall1]

Minimum I wipe them is 3 times a day. I certainly aren't in the antibacterial camp though.

Unit door and drawer fronts is at least once a day, as they are high gloss (bastard things!!) and show every sodding finger mark.

[PhilCornwall1]

This thread didn't disappoint. I read the magic word......

Zoflora!!!

[vivacian]

Although I use vinegar, this antibacterial thing is news to me. I use these wipes to clean the toilet (never flush them!). What should I be using instead?

[adaline]

I do ours at least three times a day, often more, but we have cats who walk across the worktops so need to make sure they're clean when preparing food.

[mrssunshinexxx]

I wipe down all work tops with spray every evening after I have washed up and prepared dinner

We are very rarely ill neither of us have ever had d & v but I'm sure it's not solely down to the above

[Teachermaths]

I'm convinced the "cleaner" (ie use more antibac and bleach) people get more illnesses. Anecdotally from the people I know this seems to be the case.

I'm in the wipe down once a week, wash chopping boards and wipe up spills/crumbs camp. A hot cloth and washing up liquid works a treat. We never get ill.

[stucknoue]

I only wipe mess daily, I clean weekly (ok full disclaimer my cleaner cleans them weekly) I use chopping boards, have 3 for different things so no issues with contamination.

[stucknoue]

Ps, I'm no spring chicken, my kids are at university and we have never had a case of d&v in the U.K. (I've had it in greece and the USA from food poisoning)

[stucknoue]

@GrumpyHoonMain Are you joking? You are very misinformed, nothing like gas mark 6 to kill any bacteria! You don't anti bac ovens, just scrap out the cheese from the bottom periodically

[BackBoiler]

I think @GrumpyHoonMain was attempting to take the piss to be perfectly honest but it's been missed 😁