Billion germs in your kitchen

By Philip Chua

YES, billion microorganisms! Thats not a typo. Thats how many unwanted and potentially dangerous bugs there are on average in almost any kitchen. So, it is not the bathroom that is the germiest in any home; it is the kitchen!

The germs are everywhere in the kitchen, from sink sponges countertops, cutting boards, kitchen utensils, refrigerators to sinks, towels, and even stove tops.

The cleaning sequence is obvious, even before learning about this scientific fact in the intro above: do the kitchen first before doing the bathroom. And of course, proper hygiene is observed by washings hands well, or by taking a shower, if desired, after cleaning the bathroom, especially the toilet bowl.

Significantly minimizing the bacteria in the kitchen, if not eliminating them, can be achieved with meticulous washing with soap and water. Using chemicals, like lysol or other kitchen toxic cleaning solutions sold in the market today, is not safe. Long term use of these household chemicals has been suspected to be hazardous to health, possibly linked to some metabolic illnesses and cancers afflicting people, including non-smokers.

A safer chemical alternative is Acetic Acid (regular, common vinegar), which could help minimize bacteria after the areas are washed with soap and water. Vinegar also dissolves some of the mineral deposits (from water) on pots and pans and sink, bath tubes and shower areas. One part vinegar and nine parts water (10 percent solution) is an effective mixture.

Sponges used for cleaning dishes are the items where the greatest number of bacteria are found, especially when they are stored wet in a dark place. A sunlit area is better for hygiene. They must also be washed thoroughly after each use. The washed sponges could then be sterilized some more by microwaving non-metal sponges in a microwaveable container with water for a couple of minutes once a week. They could also be soaked in vinegar solution for about 20 minutes every week, rinsed and dried. Sponges should be replaced at least once a month, or sooner depending on use. Wash cloths should be washed daily. Putting sponges in dish washer is not enough, thats why vinegar soak is helpful.

Remember that when you use sponges or towels on the countertops, dishes or pots and pans, you could be merely transferring the germs from the sponges and towels to those items. Therefore, make sure that your hands, the sponges, and towels are clean before using them on washed utensils, etc.

This germ-transfer practice is obvious among those food handlers at restaurants, who are gloved but use their hands to touch countertops, tongs, their body parts, and then the bare food items, like sandwiches, etc. Unless these individuals are as conscious and aware that the clean gloves are strictly for touching the food items, like surgeons gloved hands are limited to touch the sterile (germ-free) operating drapes and body

organs, the food will be contaminated, in spite of the gloves, when improperly used. Also, if the same pair of gloves are used for more than a couple of hours, they too, like bare hands that are not washed within an hour, accumulate bacteria. Water is a super solvent and cleaner.

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Billion germs in your kitchen