Bacteria Have a Better Hotbed Than the Toilet Seat. And It Is Right Where You Prepare Your Food – in the Kitchen!

Keeping your kitchen clean is a fundamental principle. That comes as a surprise, however, when you realize that one of the worst bacteria hotbeds, even worse than the toilet seat, is right there.

You can find it in every single kitchen. And you use it almost every single day. The kitchen sponge.

In 2018, a team of scientists from the Furtwangen University carried out research into the problem and came up with shocking results. Each square centimeter of the sponge was habitat for 54 billion bacteria. Apart from such microorganisms as Enterobacter cloacae, normally living in human intestines, there were others, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, causing pneumonia or Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for a variety of skin infections. In total, well over 360 kinds bacteria were found.

Although you can disinfect your sponge using a microwave oven, nothing is going to be as good as… getting a new one. Sponges don’t cost a fortune so you won’t save much if you buy a few sponges more.

To keep your kitchen safe and clean, replace the sponge at least once a week. It’s all about health, isn’t it?

Sponges washed in water with a detergent or soap are not as clean as one might think. I guess you know the stale smell you sometimes get from a kitchen sink or a badly-maintained washing machine. This smell is caused by Moraxella osloensis, a rather harmless bacterium you can also find on the surface of the sponge. Of course we’d rather not have a stinky sponge in our kitchen so we’d better get rid of it.

First of all, you should never use sponges to wipe off layers of food leftovers, meat juice, unpasteurized milk or dirt from fruit and vegetables. The best thing to do it is a piece of paper kitchen towel.

To prevent the spread of bacteria, use sponges for specific purposes. Have one to clean the top and another one for floors. And one more for the dishes.

Safe and easy, right?