Hosting a buffet for the Big Game? The pre-game activity in your kitchen means plenty of opportunity for germs and bacteria to score. With germs on the offense, good cleaning practices are your best defense. Here’s a game plan: 

Clean the playing field. Make sure countertops, cutting boards, dishes, and utensils start and end clean. Don’t neglect the turf under your feet and make sure the kitchen floors are clean. 

Throw in the towel. If a dish cloth gets dirty, throw it into the laundry so you don’t end up drying clean dishes with a soiled towel. Have plenty of clean towels at the ready or consider bringing out paper towels for the event. 

Remember the supporting players. The kitchen may be where most of the action happens, but it’s not where the cleaning should stop. Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces before and after guests, paying attention to light switches, doorknobs, and faucet handles. 

Keep soap on the sidelines. Make sure there’s a good supply of hand soap and towels at ever sink. When it comes to stopping the spread of germs, frequent handwashing is in a league of its own!