Kitchen and germs

8 Surprisingly Germy Items in your Kitchen

Do you know that your kitchen contains more germs maybe than your toilet!!

According to the FDA, one in six people suffers food-borne illnesses every year due to exposure to germs at home and in restaurants. Some kitchen items are notorious for carrying germs. These are the most common culprits and how to keep them clean.

1. Kitchen towels

According to studies, kitchen towels are the dirtiest items in the kitchen. Especially if you use them without good washing or even without washing your hands.

You can reduce your exposure to germs by washing your kitchen towels every night. Also, keep them dry, since germs thrive in moisture.

2. Dish sponges

Sponges have pores that hold on moisture and make them good environment for germs.

You can soak sponges into hot and soapy water. Then you squeeze them to remove water and let them dry in a good air circulation. If sponges have bad odour after cleaning it is a sign of bacterial overgrowth and you need to discard it.

Replace your sponges after every two to three weeks.

3. Chopping boards

Wooden and plastic cutting boards are a god environment for germs growth. According to studies they may contain germs more than a toilet seat.

You may have a higher risk of infection if you usually cut raw meat on the board. It leaves traces of bacteria, such as salmonella and campylobacter, which can cause food poisoning.

Unfortunately, cleaning the chopping board after use isn’t enough. To keep your chopping board clean:

· Use separate boards for raw and cooked food.

· Clean it with dish soap and hot water.

· Keep it dry all the time.

· Replace the old board with too many cuts.

· Try a glass chopping board.

4. Can opener

Can opener is not always cleaned and the result will be exposure to harmful germs, such as salmonella, mold and E. coli.

You can clean it in the dishwasher or with hot water and soap. Keep it to dry before storage.

5. The salt shaker

Using salt shaker every time you cook transfer germs into your food. So you can clean it with clean towel and sponge.

6. Food containers

Leftovers in the containers increase your risk of food borne illness. According to studies containers may contain traces of yeast, mold and salmonella.

You need to wash them in the dishwasher and then soak them with baking soda and warm water for 30 minutes and finally keep them to dry and then store them.

7. Blender gasket

If you don’t disassemble your blender it is the place where there is a build-up of bacteria so you need to disassemble it after use and clean all parts with hot soapy water.

Some blenders, like certain high speed blenders, can’t be disassembled safely. If your blender’s instructions say not to take it apart, follow the cleaning instructions that came with it.

8. Coffee reservoir

Yeast and mould organisms may live in your coffee container if you don’t clean it regularly. According to tests, this container may contain germs more than a toilet seat

Follow the instructions in the manual on how to keep your reservoir and coffee maker clean. Clean the entire coffee maker at least once a month.

Sources:

https://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-surprisingly-germy-items-in-your-kitchen.html

https://www.boldsky.com/home-n-garden/improvement/2012/germs-and-bacteria-in-kitchen-030486.html