The sponge of the kitchen can be dirty than the toilet: it seems an exaggeration, but it is a reality that many ignore. Understanding when changing it is essential to avoid unnecessary risks in the kitchen.
The kitchen sponge It can be dirty than the toilet. It almost makes you smile, to think about it: an object that is used every day to clean, which can instead be dirtier than the toilet. Yet it is not a sensationalistic gimmick, but something that several studies have already put black on white. The sponge of the kitchen, small and apparently harmless, often proves to be a real paradise for bacteria.
We tend to believe that it is enough to give it a quick rinse or leave it to dry on the edge of the sink, perhaps in the sun. But things are never so simple. Its fibers, so absorbent and full of hidden angolini, retain humidity and food residues even after washing. And at that point, it’s like offering a buffet a bacteria and microorganisms.
You don’t need to imagine horror movie scenarios. Just think that that same sponge, which passes from one dish to another, can transfer germs everywhere. The idea that what should sanitize is more contaminated than a bathroom table is disturbing, but it also makes you think. How many small gestures, data for granted, become risky only by distraction or laziness?
It is not uncommon, in fact, to find sponges in the kitchen from theaspectwith unpleasant smell and now faded colors. But do you really expect them to fall apart before replacing them? Maybe the time has come to see some habits again.
When the kitchen sponge becomes dirty than the toilet
It is not at all one of those exaggerations from the Internet: a German study has discovered that a simple kitchen sponge can contain up to 82 billion of bacteria per cubic centimeter. A difficult figure even to imagine, yet real. And worse again: it is a concentration that beats many bathroom surfaces, even the toilet.
The reason is almost obvious, if you think about it for a moment. Moisture Constant, remains of food, heat … and voila, the perfect mix to transform the sponge into a real nursery of bacteria. Among the best known (and feared)? Salmonella, They exhibited chill, Staphylococcus aureus. In short, not exactly the guests who would like in the kitchen.
Despite this, it is surprising to note how often the need for Change the kitchen sponge regularly. Some also keep it for weeks, convinced that a simple rinse or a passage in the dishwasher is enough to “disinfect it”. But that’s not exactly the case. Even if with the naked eye it may seem clean, the sponge could hide well -developed bacterial colonies.
To make everything more insidious is precisely the fact that you do not see the battery. No alarm bell sounds. No red light comes on. It continues to use it, convinced that everything goes well. But no. Just a dish just contaminated or a not perfectly clean cutting dish to transform it into a contamination vehicle.
Whenever changes it: the three -day rule
And here comes the fateful question: How often do you have to change the kitchen sponge? According to many household hygiene experts, the advice is clear: At least every three days. It is not an arbitrary threshold, but the result of observations conducted on how quickly bacteria manage to colonize wet surfaces.
In the meantime, there are some good practices that can reduce the risk:
- Squeeze it Always well after use, avoiding that it remains wet too long.
- Let it dry In a ventilated place, never inside the sink.
- Avoid to use it for several different functions (such as dishes, table and stove).
- Sanitize it Every day with simple methods such as microwave or vinegar solution.
Il microwavefor example, it is very effective: just moisten the sponge and put it in the oven for about a minute at maximum power. This system kills most bacteria, but does not make miracles. Physical wear, bad smell and color change remain signs not to ignore.
Antibacterial sponges or more hygienic alternatives?
In recent years there is a lot of talk about antibacterial sponges or alternative materials, such as silicone brushes. It is believed that they are more hygienic and long -lasting, and in part it is true. However, no solution is really free from risks if maintenance is neglected. Even the most advanced tools can become contamination vehicles if they are not clean and replaced regularly.
Interesting to note that some families, particularly attentive to hygiene, prefer to use More sponges simultaneouslyeach dedicated to a specific task. There is the one for the dishes, the one for the hob, the one for the sink. A useful division, but which requires memory and constancy.
Another aspect that is worth emphasizing is the role of the smell. A sponge that stinks is never a good sign. Often it is thought that it is only the fault of the food that has absorbed, but instead it is the clearest symptom of the presence of active bacteria.
Ultimately, it is better not to wait too obvious. Prevent It is much easier than to cure. Just a small gesture, every few days, to avoid transforming the kitchen into a bacterial laboratory.
Next time That you take the sponge in your hand, maybe it’s worth stopping for a moment. Look at her, sniff her, and ask yourself: “What if she was really dirty than the toilet?”
Photo © Stock.adobe
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