Safety tips for modular kitchen

Indian Kitchens are now days changing in leaps and bounds with the onset of new & modern, buildings being constructed modular kitchens have started to take centre stage. Kitchen being the heart of the Indian household sees a lot of fast paced activities hence making ait the busiest place in the home, due to the modernisation we long for things that allow us to have convenience and speed. With the initiation of the modular kitchen in Modern India it offers the housewives the luxury of convenience that helps add a certain style factor to the home. The modular kitchen has helped redefine modern homes and make work a lot easier.

There is always a downside of every modern improvement and that is the task of maintaining these modular kitchens. There is also an economical factor that is taken into consideration as these modular kitchens are expensive to install than the regular ones one would want it to be long lasting.During and after the installation of an expensive Modular Kitchen there are some points one should remember:

Electrical/Plumbing

One should always keep in mind the slots for Electrical & Plumbing points when in the designing stage of the Modular kitchen, appropriate wiring depending of the voltage for the equipment being used should be taken into consideration. Ensure that easy access is planned for the kitchen water outlet.Remember the kitchen has to be well lit and should be properly ventilated.

Kitchen Cleaning

It is always imperative that the kitchen should always be cleaned regularly to avoid collection of dirt and fungus which could attract insects and cockroaches, all draws and rack should be cleaned using a light cleanser with a soft cloth to remove all deposition of dust and dirt so as to make your modular kitchen look shiny and last long. Using scrubs and harsh ingredients will spoil the surface and making rough in the long run.Using a Simple mix of 2 tablespoons of vinegar or baking soda with 2 litres of water and soft cloth could help make your kitchen Spic & Span.

Modular Kitchen Cabinets

As stated in the introduction we all know that the kitchen in the Indian household is busy and bustling with a lot of activity,  It is advisable to keep all the doors and draws of the cabinet/racks closed after taking the material or utensil out. This helps in the prevention of any steam/oil vapours emitted from cooking entering the cabinets of the modular kitchen causing the surface to be sticky. Closing the cabinets/draws also helps prevent getting an injury to the head or limbs. Always clean up immediately if something spills or falls down which may cause permanent stains, marks or injuries.

Soft Touch Hinges

Hinges, Channels and Telescopic extenders in Modular Kitchen need soft Touch and can get damaged due to habits of pulling out or closing drawer quickly especially in a hurry, if this happens on a regular or frequent basis the chance of the hinges channels getting damaged. It is also advised to not hang or put pressure on the cabinet's doors which could lead to offsetting the fitting and the door not closing.So what can be done to prevent damage a) Install high quality hinges b) Check regularly your Modular Kitchen Drawers/ Hinges for noise. Try and fix it before it gets worse.

Tile/Wall

Clean and Sparkling Tiles and Walls on a regular/weekly basis help the kitchen sparkle. Cleaning walls and tiles on a regular/weekly also avoid permanent staining and use of a mild detergent or disinfectant spray helps keep wall /tiles clean and hygienic.Using a Simple mix of 2 tablespoons of vinegar or baking soda with 2 litres of water and soft cloth could help make your kitchen Spic & Span.

Deep Cleaning

Every household requires through cleaning once in a while, Special attention should be given to the kitchen as it is the heart of your home, this cleaning effort makes your kitchen hygienic and makes it easier to the handle the space in the kitchen with a little discipline which will keep your kitchen new and shiny. Having a deep cleaning session of the kitchen on the weekend will help you achieve it.

Ventilation

Keep in mind when designing the modular kitchen that there is a free flow of air and exhaust system. Indian Meals involves a lot of stove cooking which results in smells, Oil stains and Humidity because of the tropical conditions. Having a good exhaust system and opening of a window will provide good ventilation and prevent the modular kitchen from deteriorating.

Space Modulation

The best part of having a modular kitchen is making use of all the space in the kitchen to install draws and cabinets what prevents your kitchen from getting cluttered ensure that this is thought of during the design stage where a place for different groups of utensils are thought of, a place for storage of grains and food items are thought of etc… It will help keep your kitchen space organised.

Covered Shelves

When putting your utensils into the shelves of the cabinets laying down a sheets of paper/old newspaper  can prevent dust from accumulating and getting into difficult corners however the paper need to be changed once every month to keep your shelves in the cabinet free of dust.

Pest Control

Modular kitchen installation is an easy task but maintaining it may be a bit tedious ensure the modular Kitchen is treated on a regular basis for anti-termite, roach infestation and insect infestation which can create a health hazard. You may also need to carry out the treatment on a regular basis to keep the kitchen pest free, also clearing the dustbin daily before sleeping and spraying an insecticide as a proactive precaution

Sink Cleaning

Cleaning the sink on a regularly basis for a spotless looking kitchen helps. It's helpful to have a steel sink in a Modular kitchen which can be cleaned with a soft nylon scrubbing pad to prevent scratches on the sink.Modular kitchen these days are a trend and give the home an upmarket look. It is important that it is maintained regularly to keep the look intact. Ensure that the above tips are kept in mind and you will have well maintained modular kitchen for years to come.

(Writer is HSE Specialist/Trainer)

(This story has been published under arrangement from Better Kitchen magazine)