Claire Thompson
Raw chicken can carry harmful bacteria such as campylobacter and salmonella, which can cause food poisoning and other illnesses. Therefore, it is important to clean anything that touches raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of germs. Here are some ways to effectively clean and sanitise surfaces, utensils, and your hands after coming into contact with raw chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning agents | Hot water, soap, vinegar, bleach, disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide |
| Cleaning methods | Soaking, scrubbing, spraying, wiping |
| Items to clean | Hands, utensils, dishes, surfaces, cloths, sponges |
| Additional notes | Prevent cross-contamination, do not wash raw chicken, cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165°F |
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What You'll Learn
Wash hands with hot water and soap
It is important to wash your hands with hot water and soap after handling raw chicken. This is because raw chicken can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause foodborne illnesses. By washing your hands with hot water and soap, you can help remove and kill these bacteria, reducing the risk of contamination and illness.
When washing your hands, it is important to follow proper hand hygiene techniques. First, wet your hands with clean, running hot water. Avoid using warm or cold water, as hotter water is more effective at removing dirt, debris, and bacteria. Next, apply soap to your hands and rub them together to create a lather. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails, as bacteria can hide in these areas. Continue rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds. This duration helps ensure that most bacteria are removed. Finally, rinse your hands thoroughly under the running hot water to remove any remaining soap and bacteria.
It is also important to dry your hands after washing. You can use a clean towel or air dry them. If you use a towel, ensure it is clean and dry, as damp towels can harbour bacteria. Avoid touching any surfaces or objects until your hands are completely dry.
Washing your hands with hot water and soap is a simple yet effective way to maintain proper hygiene and prevent the spread of bacteria and germs. It is a crucial step in handling raw chicken safely and reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
In addition to handwashing, it is important to sanitise any surfaces and utensils that have come into contact with raw chicken. Hot, soapy water is effective for cleaning countertops, utensils, and cutting boards. For porous surfaces or wooden cutting boards, a diluted bleach solution can be used, but this may not be necessary for regular cleaning. Regular handwashing with hot water and soap is a crucial step in maintaining a clean and safe environment when handling raw chicken.
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Clean kitchen utensils with hot, soapy water
It is important to clean kitchen utensils that have touched raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of harmful bacteria. The best way to clean kitchen utensils that have touched raw chicken is to use hot, soapy water. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, leave everything where it is and wash your hands with hot water and soap. Do not use warm water, as you want the water to be as hot as you can stand. This will help remove any bacteria that may be on your hands from handling the raw chicken.
Next, gather all the utensils and tools that came into contact with the raw chicken and place them in the sink. If you have a dishwasher, you can put the utensils in the dishwasher on the sanitize setting, which will kill any remaining bacteria. However, if you don't have a dishwasher, you can clean the utensils by hand with hot, soapy water.
Fill the sink with hot water and add a generous amount of dish soap. Submerge the utensils in the hot, soapy water and let them soak for a few minutes. This will help loosen any stubborn residue and start to kill any bacteria. Then, use a scrub brush or sponge to scrub the utensils, paying special attention to any areas with stuck-on food or residue. Rinse the utensils thoroughly with hot water to remove any soap residue.
Finally, dry the utensils with a clean towel or air dry them. If you used a sponge or scrub brush, be sure to clean it afterward. You can do this by washing it with hot, soapy water and rinsing it well. Alternatively, you can use disposable paper towels to clean the utensils and then throw them away afterward.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean kitchen utensils that have touched raw chicken and prevent the spread of bacteria and foodborne illnesses.
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Use a separate cutting board
When preparing raw chicken, it is important to prevent cross-contamination with other ingredients and surfaces in your kitchen. Using a separate cutting board for raw chicken is a good way to avoid this.
Firstly, choose a dishwasher-safe cutting board that is not made of wood or another porous material. Wooden cutting boards can absorb and hold onto raw chicken juices, which can be difficult to fully clean and may cause food poisoning. If you do not have a dishwasher, use hot soapy water and a scrubber to clean the cutting board, ensuring that you get into any cracks or crevices. You can also use a diluted bleach solution to sanitise the surface—mix one tablespoon of bleach with one gallon of water.
After handling raw chicken, immediately wash your hands with soap and hot water before touching anything else. You should also clean and sanitise any utensils, knives, and countertops that came into contact with the raw chicken. If you used a cloth or sponge to wipe down surfaces, be sure to wash it afterwards, either in the washing machine or by soaking and scrubbing it in hot, soapy water.
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Sanitize surfaces with diluted bleach
When cleaning up after handling raw chicken, it's important to keep track of everything that the chicken has touched. Wash your hands first with soap and hot water, and then gather all the items that came into contact with the raw chicken, such as utensils, dishes, and surfaces. Wash these items with hot, soapy water, and use a rag to wipe down the preparation area.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can sanitize surfaces with diluted bleach. Here's how to do it effectively and safely:
Prepare the Bleach Solution:
- Use regular, unscented household bleach with a sodium hypochlorite concentration between 5% and 9%.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparing the bleach solution. Typically, you'll mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 gallon (or 3.8 liters) of water.
Apply the Bleach Solution:
- If the surface is visibly dirty, pre-clean it with soap and water before applying the bleach solution.
- Apply the bleach solution to the surface using a sponge, mop, or spray bottle.
- Ensure the surface remains wet during the "contact time," which is typically at least 1 minute.
- If you're using a spray bottle, clean it immediately after use. Dispose of any leftover contents, then rinse the bottle and sprayer with clean water.
Post-Application:
- After the contact time, rinse the surface with clean water and allow it to air dry.
- Wash your hands after cleaning or disinfecting.
- Prepare a new batch of diluted bleach solution daily, as it loses its effectiveness after being mixed with water for over 24 hours.
Safety Precautions:
- Always follow the safety instructions on the bleach product.
- Work in a well-ventilated area by opening windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate.
- Wear protective gear, such as rubber gloves, non-porous boots, and eye protection, to avoid accidental splashes and inhalation of fumes.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
- Do not use bleach on aluminum, chipped enamel, copper, brass, silver, unsealed wood, marble, tile, or granite.
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Dry hands with a clean towel
It is important to dry your hands with a clean towel after handling raw chicken. Hands are the biggest source of contamination in a kitchen, so it is important to be vigilant about hand hygiene when preparing raw chicken.
After handling raw chicken, wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and plenty of soap. You should also wash your hands during the process of preparing raw chicken, especially before touching anything else. For example, if you are preparing other ingredients to cook alongside the chicken, you should wash your hands after handling the raw chicken and before touching the other ingredients.
Once you have washed your hands, dry them with a clean towel. Kitchen towels should be washed frequently using the hot cycle of the washing machine. If you do not have access to a clean towel, you can air-dry your hands instead.
It is also worth noting that you should avoid touching your face, mouth, or nose while handling raw chicken and before washing your hands.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal way to clean utensils that have touched raw chicken is in the dishwasher on the sanitize setting. If that’s not an option, use hot and soapy water to clean the tools.
Use hot soapy water to clean the surfaces. You can also use disinfectant spray or a diluted bleach solution (a tablespoon of bleach diluted in a gallon of water).
Wash kitchen towels or rags in the washing machine using the hot cycle.
Wash your hands with hot water and plenty of soap.
