The Best Cleaning Products for a Commercial Kitchen

Hygiene errors could prove the death knell for your brand or business, as a single instance of foodborne illness could not only ruin your reputation but also lead to severe legal and financial repercussions.

That said, a clean kitchen isn’t just about keeping the health inspector happy. It’s about running a slick operation where food is safe, staff are protected, and everything works as it should.

We know that finding time to keep everything spotless can feel like trying to find a clean tea towel during the dinner rush – next to impossible. So, which cleaning products deliver fast, professional results? 

In this article, we’ll consider the best cleaning products for a commercial kitchen. Whether you’re looking for grease-busting degreasers or food-safe sanitising solutions, we’ve got you covered. 

2 Key Considerations When Choosing Cleaning Products for Your Business Kitchen

When selecting cleaning supplies for your commercial kitchen, you should think about two things: effectiveness and safety. After all, you need products that can handle the high demands of a commercial kitchen but are safe to use around food and staff.

You can’t just grab whatever’s on the supermarket shelf. Commercial kitchens need heavy-duty products that can manage whatever your busy kitchen throws at them – whether that’s the grease that’s been building up too fast for comfort, or those mystery sticky patches that somehow appear on every surface.

In the end, investing in the right cleaning products will not only make your life easier but also ensure that your kitchen stays safe and hygienic. So, take the time to pick products that get the job done, without compromising safety or quality. This might require research on ingredients and brands, close inspection of product labels, and training chefs and cleaning staff where needed. 

Essential Cleaning Products Every Commercial Kitchen Should Have

Surface Cleaners

Every kitchen needs a top-quality multi-surface cleaner that can tackle countertops, prep areas, and stainless steel without breaking a sweat. A product like Mr. Muscle Kitchen Cleaner does a great job of cutting through grease and grime without leaving harmful residues. This is essential for preventing cross-contamination while ensuring cleanliness.

For tougher grease spots on stoves or hoods, a degreaser is a cleaner’s best friend. Products like Cif Cream Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner are powerful enough to shift stubborn grease but gentle enough not to damage your professional equipment.

Sanitisers and Disinfectants

After cleaning surfaces, sanitising comes next. You need to sanitise and disinfect to eliminate germs, bacteria, and potential pathogens. Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleanser is a food-safe option for cleaning surfaces that come into direct contact with food, such as cutting boards and prep tables.

Don’t forget to keep some disinfecting wipes handy. Clinell Clorox Cleaning and Disinfectant Wipes are perfect for those quick clean-ups between tasks. Think of them as the kitchen equivalent of a quick shower – not as thorough as a deep clean, but they’ll do the job when you’re in a rush.

Floor Cleaners

Kitchen floors can get super slippery, super fast. Since spilled oil or grease can create slip hazards for your staff, grease-fighting floor cleaner like Domestos Original Bleach will help you maintain a safe, slip-free floor while also removing stubborn stains.

Once the floors are clean, give them a once-over with Harpic Power Plus, which does a great job of killing bacteria to maintain hygiene standards.

Oven and Grill Cleaners

Grills and ovens are the workhorses of most commercial kitchens, but they’re also the hardest areas to keep clean. Trying to scrub baked-on food without the right products is like trying to cut a steak with a spoon – technically possible, but why make life difficult?

Oven cleaners, such as Mr. Muscle Oven Cleaner, are formulated to dissolve grease and burnt-on food, making it easier to keep your oven equipment spotless without too much scrubbing. If you’re dealing with cleaning a grill, you’ll want a specific grill cleaner to remove built-up carbon deposits and charred food. Look for products that can cut through grease effectively and make your grill ready for service in no time.

Stainless Steel Cleaners

Most commercial kitchens use a lot of stainless steel equipment, from sinks to refrigerators. Keeping it all gleaming requires a special touch – namely, a premium stainless steel cleaner or polish. This will not only keep your equipment looking neat but also prevent fingerprints and grease marks from building up.

3 Top Tips for Cleaning a Commercial Kitchen

Now that you’ve got your arsenal of top-quality cleaning products sorted, it’s time to focus on best practices to ensure your kitchen stays clean and hygienic. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your cleaning routine:

1. Clean as You Go (So You Don’t Regret It Later)

One of the best ways to stay on top of cleaning is to do it throughout the day. Rather than leaving everything for the end of the shift, train your team to clean as they cook and prep food. This keeps things manageable and also prevents that end-of-shift cleaning session from turning into a late-night affair.

2. Get the Right Tools for the Job

Having excellent cleaning products is only half the battle – you need the right equipment too. Invest in quality scrubbers, mops, and microfiber cloths that’ll make short work of grease and grime. A good mop, for instance, can save hours of manual scrubbing on your kitchen floors.

3. Think ‘Safety First’

Make sure your cleaning staff are properly trained and understand how to use cleaning products safely. All staff should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals, and safety data sheets (SDS) should always be easy to find for reference.

Mitigation Measures for Hazardous Cleaning Chemicals 

Not all cleaning products are created equal, and some can be hazardous if not used correctly. Chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and 2-butoxyethanol are commonly found in cleaners but can pose serious health risks.

Ammonia can irritate the eyes, nose,throat and lungs. Chlorine, meanwhile, can cause respiratory problems when inhaled, leaving you gasping for air if you’re not careful. For this reason, it’s important to follow safety guidelines and use products in well-ventilated areas.

Prevention Strategies:

• Use safer alternatives: Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products when possible.
• Proper ventilation: Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated when using stronger chemicals.
• Employee training: Ensure staff know how to safely handle and store chemicals.

By taking these precautions, you can maintain a safe environment for food preparation and protect your staff from harmful chemical exposure.

Our Top Picks for Kitchen Cleaning Products

Looking for cleaning products that deliver professional results? Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best kitchen cleaning products that should be part of every pro kitchen, whether you’re running a large restaurant or a smaller catering business:

• Mr. Muscle Kitchen Cleaner: Perfect all-rounder for general surface cleaning and grease removal.
• Finish Powerball Dishwasher Detergent Tablets: Great for commercial dishwashers that need to perform flawlessly.
• Cif Cream Original Multi-Purpose Cleaner: A heavy-duty degreaser that tackles the toughest kitchen cleaning challenges.
• Dettol Antibacterial Disinfectant Surface Cleanser: For making sure food-contact surfaces are genuinely safe.
• Ecover Sensitive Washing Up Liquid: An eco-friendly option is a great choice for businesses looking for a more sustainable product.

Conclusion

Keeping your commercial kitchen clean isn’t just about ticking boxes on an inspection form – it’s about ensuring food safety, protecting your team, and making sure everything runs like clockwork. By using the best cleaning products for a commercial kitchen, you’ll be able to meet health and safety standards, prevent contamination, and create a safe environment for your staff and customers.

Need a hand getting your kitchen clean and up to scratch? Don’t settle for inferior products or methods that don’t deliver. KDC Food Hygiene Ltd knows the ins and outs of deep kitchen cleaning and can provide top-notch solutions that’ll have your space sparkling in no time. Give us a bell – we promise not to judge how manky that oven has become!

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