Why A UV Light Is The Key To An Ultra-Clean Kitchen

How often do you spray and wipe your kitchen counters? Daily? Multiple times a day? If you're in the latter category, it likely means that having a spotless kitchen is pretty important to you (as it should be). After all, a kitchen is typically the dirtiest space in a home. It's also one of the rooms that's most likely to harbor roaches. Those facts can easily fuel anyone on "Team Ultra-Clean Kitchen" to spray their counters, edge to edge and corner to corner, with top-rated disinfectant sprays that kill 99.9% of germs. It's easy to conclude that a kitchen is germ-free after such diligent, frequent cleaning, but how do you know for sure? 

Well, by using a UV light, also known as blacklight. This type of lighting is common in "glow-in-the-dark" venues like bowling alleys and indoor mini golf courses, but it can also be used to detect certain substances that seem invisible under natural light. When used in a kitchen, it can expose bacteria-causing food stains and spills, so you'll know exactly where to spray and wipe. However, there are some safety factors to consider when choosing a UV light.

When searching for urine spots from a dog or cat, UV flashlights are commonly used. You can purchase one from Amazon or Walmart for under $10. These devices can be used to detect hidden, bacteria-filled spots in the kitchen as well, allowing you to have the ultra-clean kitchen you desire. However, it's important to note that some UV lights used for kitchen cleaning can be dangerous to humans and pets near the usage area. According to the FDA, there are several UV wands to avoid. 

Once you've found a UV light that you like, you can start shining it throughout your kitchen to find all the spots you might have missed during cleaning. The countertops are a great place to start, but that's certainly not the only part of a kitchen that sees its share of food particles, dirt, grease, etc. Other places you'll want to check include the sink, refrigerator (handles included), cooking utensils, and countertop appliances. You may be surprised at what you'll find.