Even though you’ve cleaned up before, you want to make sure you do it right this time.
I remember the first time my mom asked me to clean up after cutting a raw chicken breast. I was so scared!.
I worried that I might have missed some sneaky germ that would make my whole family sick.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who worries about keeping her family from getting sick from food. Let me put your mind at ease by telling you how I clean up after handling raw meat. Its a simple process with things you use on a regular basis.
The best way to clean up dishes and surfaces that have touched raw chicken is to use hot soapy water.
Leave everything where it is and wash your hands first. Don’t use warm water. Turn on the hot water and get it as hot as you can stand. Can use some cold water to keep you from burning yourself. Don’t forget forget to use some soap and rinse your hands well, too.
Some people choose to use the same dishrag that they wash the dishes with for this next step. It does not bother me that they do this. For my own peace of mind, I like to put the dirty rag with other dirty kitchen towels and get a new rag. It’s probably silly and probably doesn’t have any effect on killing harmful bacteria. To each their own.
It’s a good idea to run fresh hot water and squirt some dish soap on your rag. With the water running, wipe down the sinks to remove the remaining bacteria.
This is not the only way to do it. You can also use the disinfectant if you would like to spray down the sinks and sink handles. Let it sit for a few minutes or wipe it off immediately.
After you’re all done cleaning up, put the rags in the dirty clothes or someplace where your little children cannot get them. You don’t want them to have the risk of food poisoning.
Now don’t you feel better now that you know how to safely clean up after raw chicken. You don’t have to worry about contaminating other things or spreading germs or getting your family sick. Knowing how to clean up after handling raw meat is important but it is not worth stressing over.
The bottom line is keep it simple and don’t stress. If only using hot soapy water does not make you feel like things are getting clean, here are some other options for you.
After handling and preparing raw chicken in the kitchen it’s essential to thoroughly clean and disinfect your sink. Raw chicken can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter that can easily spread to surfaces utensils, and other foods if not properly cleaned up. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to cleaning your kitchen sink after preparing chicken.
Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
To start you’ll need to gather the following cleaning supplies
- Dish soap or other degreasing soap
- Sponge or dishcloth
- Paper towels
- All-purpose household cleaner or bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water)
Make sure to have these ready before you begin cleaning
Remove Any Remaining Food Debris
First, remove any remaining pieces of raw chicken, bones, skin, or juices from the sink. Scrape off or wipe away any visible debris using paper towels and throw it directly in the garbage. Don’t rinse chicken juices down the drain.
Wash With Hot, Soapy Water
Next, wash the sink basin, faucet, handles, and surrounding countertops using hot water, dish soap, and a sponge or dishcloth. Scrub all surfaces thoroughly, making sure to reach crevices, corners, and the garbage disposal (if equipped). The hot water and soap will help loosen and remove grease and bacteria.
Rinse and Dry
Once washed, rinse everything thoroughly with hot water. Be sure to rinse away all soap residue. Let the water drain completely, then dry the sink and counters with clean paper towels.
Disinfect With Bleach or Cleaner
Finally, it’s important to clean the sink of germs after washing it. All surfaces should be sprayed or wiped down with a bleach solution or all-purpose cleaner. Let it sit for a while, then wash it and dry it with fresh paper towels. This will kill any remaining harmful bacteria.
You may need to scrub heavily soiled areas again. Repeat the wash and disinfect steps as needed.
Wash and Sanitize Sponges, Cloths, and Hands
Don’t forget to immediately wash any sponges, dishcloths, and scrub brushes used in hot, soapy water. It’s also wise to sanitize them with a bleach solution.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap after cleaning. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet to avoid spreading germs.
Prevent Clogs and Odors
To help prevent clogs and odors, run hot water and grind up lemon peels in your garbage disposal after cleaning the sink. You can also pour a cup of bleach or baking soda down the drain weekly.
You can help kill harmful bacteria and stop it from spreading by washing, disinfecting, and drying your kitchen sink well after handling raw chicken. Make this cleaning routine a habit after preparing poultry.
Run a sink full of hot soapy water.
Next, before you have even shut the water off or dried your hands off on a tea towel, keep the water running hot and put a plug in the kitchen sink. A quarter or half of the sink will be filled with hot soapy water to clean everything that touched the raw meat.
Get a dishrag wet.
Before you put the dirty things in the water, soak a dish towel in hot soapy water and set it aside.
HOW TO CLEAN & STERILIZE YOUR SINK AFTER HANDLING RAW MEAT
FAQ
How do you clean a sink after raw chicken?
To effectively clean your sink after handling raw chicken, start by removing all debris and washing with hot, soapy water. Then, sanitize the sink with a bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water) or a commercial sanitizer.
How to clean counters after cooking chicken?
After you’re done cooking the meat, use hot soapy water and a clean rag to clean everything. Use a different cutting board to chop or cut remaining ingredients. Create a cleaning solution by adding one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water.
How long do chicken germs live on surfaces?
Chicken germs, specifically bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, can survive on surfaces for varying lengths of time, from a few hours to several hours. Salmonella can survive for up to 32 hours, while Campylobacter can last for up to 4 hours.
How to remove Salmonella from a sink?
Bleach or bleach-based cleaner: Bleach will kill any bacteria, such as salmonella, that can cause foodborne illnesses. Jan 24, 2025.