What would you think if you were told that your shiny and tidy kitchen may be dirtier than your teenager’s bedroom? Well, it’s actually not too far from the truth. Here’s the ugly truth about germs and the places where they accumulate the most.
If you could see them, you would realize that many of them are in plain sight, on surfaces in your home that you thought were simply clean.
1. HANDLES AND KNOBS
How long has it been since you’ve cleaned them? Of course, you clean the wooden part of the cupboards or cabinets with a cleaning cloth, but what about the handles to open the drawers and even the one for the refrigerator or microwave?
Well, both the handles and the knobs of the stove, doors and cabinets are the perfect place for many germs and bacteria to grow. Needless to say, the solution is to keep them in mind when cleaning, wiping them with bleach or ammonia at least once a week or having antibacterial wipes on hand to clean them after cooking.
2. KITCHEN SINK
Incredible as it may seem, right now your sink may contain more bacteria than the toilet bowl in your home, the reason being that you may have cleaned your bathroom yesterday but your sink did not.
According to Eileen Abruzzo, director of infection control at Long Island University Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, food particles on dishes, when left to soak or near the drain, are a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. Believe it or not, putting off cleaning dishes is a common way to spread germs around your home. Most people have postponed the task of washing used dishes for a day or two, while bacteria grow by doubling their numbers in as little as 20 minutes when the temperature and humidity are adequate.
To prevent bacteria from thriving it is recommended to wash dishes daily using a bleach and water solution which will also kill bacteria in the drain. Finally, remember to wash the sink with the same solution to remove any traces of microorganisms that may remain.
3. CUTTING BOARDS
An indispensable tool used every day in the kitchen and one of the best places for the accumulation of germs. Wooden ones are banned in many countries and plastic ones seem safer and easier to clean because they are non-porous, but in reality, both are left with microscopic grooves after use. These cut marks harbor a lot of bacteria and are not easy to clean, even hot water does not remove all the microbes from encrusted and decaying food.
The best way to keep them clean is to microwave them on high power for 3 minutes after washing, and let them dry before storing. it is also recommended to change them regularly.
4. SPONGES AND KITCHEN TOWELS
The utensils we use to clean should also be clean, but what happens when they are not?
When not cleaned properly, sponges and towels transfer germs from one place to another instead of removing them. They can be a breeding ground for mold, coliform bacteria and staphylococci. Therefore, it is recommended to use quick-drying towels or dishwashing sponge and to wash them thoroughly after cleaning soiled surfaces.
5. CARPETS AND RUGS
We all have at least one rug in our houses and most people even prefer a carpet floor at home. Well the truth is that there’s nothing like the comfortable feeling of a plush carpet under your toes when you get out of bed in the morning. But, does that comfortable feeling mean that it’s clean?
Carpets and rugs can accumulate a wide variety of particles, such as dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, dirt and dust, which then attract bacteria, germs and bugs. Therefore, if not cleaned thoroughly and regularly, they can easily become incubators for illnesses in your home, such as allergy, eye irritation, respiratory difficulties, asthma and odors. To keep them clean, it is recommended to vacuum them regularly and have them professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt.
