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The Importance of Commercial Kitchen Cleaning
Maintaining a clean commercial kitchen is essential to food safety. It also protects customers and reduces the risk of health code violations that lead to fines or closure. Contact Commercial Kitchen Cleaning New Haven CT for professional help.
Kitchen staff often have a busy schedule of cleaning and sanitizing duties throughout their shifts, but there are several areas that require yearly, monthly, or weekly cleaning and sanitizing. These include:
A commercial kitchen floor inevitably collects food particles, grease and liquids. Without regular cleaning, the floor can become a slip hazard for staff and a host for harmful bacteria and mould. To ensure hygienic conditions, the floor coverings must be durable and easy to clean.
Flooring materials used in commercial kitchens are usually vinyl, linoleum or tile. These floors are easy to clean, and the surface can be made anti-slip. Alternatively, rubber mats can be placed throughout the kitchen to soak up spills and reduce slippage. These mats can then be cleaned regularly, either in the course of daily wash-downs or as part of the weekly deep cleaning.
The ideal kitchen floor has very few seams, nooks and crevices where bacteria can accumulate. In addition, the floor should be heat-resistant to withstand hot cooking equipment, steam from sinks and washing stations and thermal shock caused by sudden temperature changes.
Many kitchens have water drains installed, which help to keep cleaning solutions from forming puddles that can trap dirt or grease. Kitchens with stained concrete floors can also benefit from a sealant that protects the stain and prevents it from wearing away.
In the case of tile floors, a commercial kitchen cleaning company can use a high-grade product formulated to work on kitchen surfaces. General-purpose cleaners, such as bleach or laundry detergent, can be harmful for kitchen floors because they leave behind a filmy residue that makes tiles slippery.
A thorough mopping and degreasing of the floor can be expected to take place every day, ideally before food preparation begins. The first step in preparing the floor for this process is sweeping or vacuuming to remove any loose food particles or debris.
Countertops
Countertops in a commercial kitchen are hotbeds for bacteria growth, especially when they’re not cleaned regularly. They should be wiped down multiple times throughout the day to remove grease and other debris. These surfaces should also be disinfected with a food-safe sanitizer to prevent the spread of germs and disease. During cleaning, it’s important that all staff members wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, as germs can be spread from one person to another through contact with the skin.
The best countertops for a commercial kitchen are made from hygienic, durable materials that can withstand heavy use and heavy demands. Quartz is up high on the list of preferred countertop material because it’s non-porous and resistant to bacteria, fungi, and other contaminants. Granite is another popular choice for commercial kitchens, but it needs to be properly sealed or it can develop fissures and pitting that may harbor harmful bacteria and germs.
Laminate is a budget-friendly option that resists stains and heat damage. It’s also easy to clean and disinfect, which is ideal for busy commercial kitchens. Another popular kitchen countertop is stainless steel, which can be wiped down with a mild cleaner and sanitizer to maintain its appearance and cleanliness. Some brands of stainless steel have antimicrobial properties, such as Bacoban, which make it even easier to maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen environment. Regardless of the type of countertop you choose, it’s important to establish a comprehensive cleaning schedule and checklist that your staff will follow regularly. This will ensure that all areas of the commercial kitchen are consistently cleaned, sanitized, and maintained to prevent cross-contamination and reduce the risk of contamination and foodborne illnesses.
Sinks
Sinks are another high touchpoint in a commercial kitchen, and they need to be cleaned thoroughly every day after food service. Scrub the sink surfaces with non-toxic cleaner and rinse clean afterward. Dry the sinks with a microfiber cloth to avoid water spots.
Separated prep, dishwashing and hand sinks are a common feature in commercial kitchens to adhere to strict health codes and minimize the risk of cross-contamination. However, in households, practicality and space constraints often lead to single sinks serving multiple purposes. To ensure your kitchen complies with local codes and standards, invest in a durable 3-compartment stainless steel sink from Raimac Industries.
Each day after work, scrub the sinks with a sponge and a non-toxic cleaning formula. Rinse and dry each day to prevent water spots, streaking or discoloration. Staining can occur on stainless steel sinks from oil, soap, minerals and other contaminants. Make sure your cleaning products include a mild abrasive powder, like baking soda, to remove stubborn stains from the sink surface. For a deeper clean, mix a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar and scrub. Rinse the sink thoroughly and wipe dry with a towel.
Sanitizers are a must for food preparation areas, but they can also be a danger to employees and patrons when a sanitizer is overused. Follow the directions on your sanitizer to use only the amount recommended for the area you are working in. Overuse of sanitizer can lead to a build-up on equipment, counters and floors that makes it difficult for workers to move about the kitchen safely. The more sanitizer you use, the more it will wear away at your floors and grout, making them dull and slippery.
Equipment
Commercial kitchens are busy, crowded environments that produce messy foods. Those food particles and cooking grease can build up on surfaces and equipment to create discoloration, foul odors, and even dangerous bacteria and microorganisms. Regular cleaning and sanitizing prevent these issues, protect customers’ health, and help maintain food quality.
Commercial cleaning solutions and products are often designed to be safe for specific surfaces and materials. Knowing how and when to use these products is essential. For example, using the wrong chemical on a stainless steel surface can damage or leave marks. For this reason, it is important for staff to follow a thorough cleaning checklist and use products that are safe to use on all food-contact surfaces.
Everyday tasks include wiping food areas, equipment, and work surfaces clean between shifts and after handling raw ingredients. Any major spillages should be cleaned as soon as possible to avoid hygiene and safety hazards. Floors should be swept and mopped with antibacterial, disinfectant kitchen cleaner that complies with BS EN standards and is fully food-safe. Mops and mop heads should be changed frequently, rinsed, and disinfected between uses. Laundering rags and towels is also an important step in keeping kitchens hygienic. They should be placed in a laundry basket that is clearly labeled for dirty or clean and kept separate from clean linens to ensure they are not contaminated.
Monthly cleaning tasks include more involved and extensive procedures like degreasing walls, deep-cleaning drains, and scrubbing hard-to-reach corners on equipment. It is also important to keep up with regular cleaning of hoods, vents, and exhaust systems, ovens, and ranges, as well as freezer and refrigerator coils where dust can settle, potentially affecting energy efficiency.
Other Surfaces
It’s not just the equipment and cooking surfaces that need to be cleaned in a commercial kitchen. All other structures and areas in the kitchen are subject to regular cleaning and sanitizing to prevent food-borne illnesses.
This includes sink basins and faucets, as well as all other kitchen fixtures and appliances. These items are typically cleaned using a sponge, scrub brush, hot water, and non-toxic cleaner. Special attention should be given to high-touch areas such as handles, knobs, switches, and faucets to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. In addition, employees should thoroughly wash their hands before and after handling food to ensure they don’t spread germs or bacteria.
The refrigerator and freezer must also be cleaned regularly. This is done by emptying and cleaning all cabinets, shelving, and drawers, and sanitizing all refrigerator and freezer shelves and doors. It is also important to label all foods and follow a first-in, first-out policy to avoid overcrowding and food waste. Regular deep cleaning and sanitizing will help maintain a commercial refrigerator or freezer and keep it in working order.
Ventilation hoods, fans, and ductwork are another area of the kitchen that requires regular cleaning. Regular cleaning helps to control grease build-up and meet industry standards for fire safety. It also helps reduce energy costs by keeping the system running efficiently.
Commercial kitchens are subject to regular inspections from health departments, and failure to comply with hygiene standards can lead to fines and closure. Regular and thorough cleaning and sanitizing will ensure that customers are protected from food poisoning and other illness-causing germs, and will keep the business’ reputation intact.
Smart Lawn Care Practices for Every Season
Maintaining a lush, green lawn doesn’t have to be difficult. It just takes a little planning. Things like aerating, mowing, fertilizing and weed control need to be done at the right times of year.
Using best practices, like professional soil testing, helps to develop a plan that works with your local climate and seasonal changes. Visit https://www.primecutlawnky.com/ to learn more.
Spring lawn care helps promote growth, wards off weeds and pests, and sets the stage for healthy turf all season long. It includes clearing debris such as leaves, twigs and branches that have accumulated over winter; aerating and dethatching warm-season grasses to improve soil compaction and enhance water infiltration; mowing at a high setting that encourages deep roots; spot-treating for weeds and applying a spring lawn fertilizer to support root development and prepare for summer heat and drought stress; and overseeding thin lawns to thicken them.
Lawn professionals can help clients establish a seasonal maintenance schedule and develop specific techniques for each task, including timing and equipment. For example, a professional can test the soil to gain insights into its pH balance and nutrient content, which will help guide application times for pest control and lawn fertilization programs.
Another smart practice is to regularly observe the lawn for signs of damage or weeds, like wilting, brown patches or excessive insect activity, and take action before problems get out of hand. Regular observation also provides a better understanding of the natural behavior of each grass type, so an expert can make appropriate adjustments to the mowing and watering frequency throughout the year.
For established lawns, the first fertilizer application of the season should be a slow-release granular product designed to provide nutrients as plants begin growing in the spring. Generally, it is best to wait 6-8 weeks before repeating the process.
It’s also a good time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent broadleaf weeds from emerging in the spring, when they are most active. In late spring, homeowners can reinvigorate their lawns by interseeding bare spots to thicken them up and prevent weeds from encroaching. It’s important to consult a professional before starting a new lawn seeding program, or overseeding an existing one, as warm-season grasses need to be well established before the summer heat and stress. In addition, a professional can recommend the most effective product and application rate to achieve desired results.
Summer
Summer lawn care requires the most attention because of warm, humid conditions that make grass more susceptible to insects, weeds and diseases. By implementing smart mowing and watering practices, and using preventative grub control treatments in the spring, you can safeguard your turf against common pests and maintain healthy plant growth.
In addition, you can improve the health of your lawn with soil aeration. Aerating your yard helps promote deeper roots and better drainage, which in turn can help reduce stress on your grass. The best time to aerate is in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler and moisture won’t evaporate as quickly.
Regularly inspect your lawn for weeds, and pull them as soon as you see them. This is an effective and economical way to keep weeds from becoming a major problem.
A good quality cool-season grass seed mix is also essential to a lush and beautiful lawn. At Alliance Landscaping, we use a tri-blend of Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass to create the ultimate in green lawns that resist heat, cold, insects and disease.
It is important to continue to fertilize and aerate on the same schedule as you started in the spring. This will ensure that your lawn is getting the proper nutrients and will provide your yard with maximum resilience for the long, hot summer.
Humid conditions can also promote fungal problems such as powdery mildew and brown patch. By avoiding evening watering (which increases humidity overnight) and by using a lawn fungicide, you can keep these issues at bay.
Fall
If your lawn goes into winter in a state of deterioration, it will take a lot longer to recover once the growing season kicks in. A well-prepared lawn in the fall will also be less vulnerable to weeds and disease next spring. Early fall lawn care activities include de-thatching, top dressing with compost or organic mulch, overseeding bare spots and keeping newly seeded areas moist. Weed control should be a priority.
Grass roots are gathering energy in the fall to sustain the grass through the winter and prepare for spring growth. This is the best time to fertilize. A pro will analyze your lawn’s soil and tailor a fertilization plan with the right nutrients in the right amounts.
Because our climate can be very dry in the fall, it is important to maintain adequate watering during the fall. This is especially true for cool-season grasses, which may experience a period of dormancy as they get ready to sprout in spring. A lawn that isn’t getting enough water will die in the winter and struggle to rebound once warm weather returns.
Cooler, damp conditions in the fall promote fungal problems like snow mold and fusarium fungus. To keep these issues at bay, monitor your lawn for signs of fungal damage and treat if necessary with an appropriate product.
Weeds grow year round, but they are more active in the fall. If weeds such as dandelions, quackgrass or white clovers are invading your lawn, a dandelion weeder can help keep them under control. If you need to use a chemical weed killer, spot treat the weeds and avoid spraying the entire lawn. The best thing you can do to prevent weeds in the future is to regularly aerate, overseed and fertilize your lawn. This will thicken your lawn, keep it healthy and nutrient-rich and prevent weeds from taking root. This will also make it easier to pull weeds when they do start to pop up during the summer and winter months.
Winter
The winter season is a time for lawn care to focus on strengthening roots and building up resilience against cold temperatures, snow, and ice. These conditions can wreak havoc on grass and cause damage to trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. Proper preparation helps plants, trees, and shrubs to withstand stress, reduces the need for costly remediation in spring, and promotes a healthy and beautiful landscape year-round.
The best lawn care practices for the winter include mowing at a high height (3-4 inches), proper watering techniques, and using pre-emergent herbicides to control winter weeds. A smart irrigation system that adjusts based on weather forecasts eliminates the need for frequent irrigation cycles, and ensures that grass receives the necessary amount of moisture without excessive runoff.
Adding organic matter to the soil, conducting professional soil tests, and implementing regular fertilization are critical for a healthy lawn throughout all seasons. Regular care nourishes the soil, which in turn supports root development, strengthens plant health, and minimizes pests.
Applying a dormant oil spray is another great way to protect plants, trees, and shrubs from winter damage. These low-impact treatments prevent fungal spores and kill insects like aphids, mites, caterpillars, and moths, without harming pollinators.
Regular inspections are vital to detecting and treating potential problems before they become serious issues. In addition, using a lawn care checklist minimizes oversights and ensures that all essential maintenance and service tasks are completed. These best practices will help you achieve a lush, green lawn all year long. If you have any questions or need expert assistance with your lawn, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our experts! We provide quality grass seed and premium lawn products that are guaranteed to help your lawn reach its full, lush potential. We also offer a variety of maintenance and service programs that can help you maintain a healthy, vibrant yard and landscape throughout the year. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!