Just had my kitchen remodeled and this is the first time I've had a kitchen with enough counter space that it's big enough to roll dough etc on. Plus it's the first time it's not a tile countertop so clean up is much easier.
I've been cleaning the counter tops using soft scrub with bleach – and I'm guessing any residue from that will not taste good, or be good for your health đŸ™‚
What would be the best solution for cleaning a countertop that will come into direct contact with food? Just dish soap and water?
Best Answer
You routinely prepare food on cutting boards which have been cleaned just with soap and hot water, even after being heavily contaminated with raw meat. So thorough cleaning with diluted soap and water should be sufficient here as well. Just make sure that you use the same standards you would for your cutting boards, namely, that you've removed anything that might be stuck there.
However, if you're really worried, the FDA recommends using bleach to sanitize counters*:
(Pardon the "Food Safety for Moms-to-Be" title on that page - obviously people besides mothers can cook and be safe as well.)
I think the point is to be safe against routine incidental contact, not for deliberate food preparation on the counter, but making one safe should make the other safe too - and it's clearly a step beyond soap and water.