See what are the 5 dirtiest items in your kitchen and how to clean them

Taking care of the cleanliness of the kitchen is essential, as many health-damaging microorganisms can spread through it and end up in our digestive system because of the food we prepare in this environment.

Even a flawless-looking kitchen can be littered with bacteria and germs, often in unimaginable places, so cleaning should go beyond caring for dirt that can be seen with the naked eye? Disinfection of items and not simply surface cleaning, as it may be masking the problem and often intensifying it by promoting its dispersion to other parts.

Experts say that with a little knowledge and preparation, anyone can keep the kitchen and its contents free of bacteria. See what are the five dirtiest elements in the kitchen and how to maintain proper hygiene to get rid of disease.


1 ? Refrigerator and drawer door handles

Microbes that live in chicken, pork and meat can almost always be found in handles, according to studies by Dr. Eric E. Schadt, head of the department of genetics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and chief scientific officer at Pacific Biosciences.

Isabella Peixoto, production and quality nutritionist, confirms the information:? Many people contaminate the kitchen at home all the time and do not realize. For example, if someone is cleaning meat and without washing their hands, they go to a drawer for a utensil, pass germs from it to the drawer handle and everything inside it. It's what we call it cross contamination.

For those who are making this mistake the indication is to sanitize everything with soap and water and to prevent this problem by washing your hands constantly. The nutritionist also explains that to wash your hands without recontaminating it, you should use soap and water for at least 15 seconds and close the tap with a paper towel or elbow.


This information that is taught to infectologists and various healthcare professionals should be more widespread to the population. Proper handwashing is important to everyone, not just those working in health or industry and food services. I recommend that everyone adopt the right way and spread it as it is a way to ensure healthy and risk-free eating.

2 ? The tap and its water

Clean water is essential in food preparation, but clean water must be ensured by sanitizing the tap where it comes out and adopting a purification system when using it with food.

• Water treatment provided by the government is minimal. Should pure tap water be avoided from being used for food washing and especially for cooking? since the food when baking will absorb this water; so you should have a filter in the sink.? explains nutritionist Isabella Peixoto.


3? The dishcloths

Dish towels, contrary to popular belief, are not germ free. Even just drying freshly washed hands and dishes, the fact that they are constantly damp favors the shelter of microbes.

? The right thing is to change the dish towels everyday. Have at least one for each day of the week and wash them with bleach. ?, says Dr. Isabella.

4? The sink drain

The sink drain as a path to the sewer is obviously filthy, but its low range is no guarantee of being far from pathogens. Larvae and microorganisms that multiply in the heat and humidity of this environment and feed on organic debris there can rise into the sink bowl and contaminate everything.

That is why it is necessary to sanitize the place that the National Science Foundation considered as second place in the accumulation of germs. The US government itself gives the solution: once or twice a week a strong disinfectant in the sink and once a month a spoonful of bleach mixed in 250 milliliters of water.

5? The sponges

Sponges not only absorb water, they accumulate thousands of germs in their fiber recesses, so they must be changed or sanitized constantly. According to the National Science Foundation, sponges are primarily as an element of germ accumulation in a home.

“I recommend that people have three sponges in different colors to facilitate differentiation in the kitchen: one for washing non-greasy cups and dishes, another for washing greasy dishes and pans, and another for washing the sink. Also, change the three on average every two weeks, preferably, or sanitize them by soaking in 250 milliliters of water with a tablespoon of bleach and then twisting and microwaving at full power for one minute. says Isabella.

The National Science Foundation recommends replacing sponges with wipes that are easier to constantly clean. A gain for nature, as kitchen sponges are made from un-eco-friendly materials.

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