Leaving dishes to soak, even in hot water, creates the ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. The ideal is to wash the dishes shortly after use, ideally in the dishwasher.
With the holidays approaching, which bring with them more substantial meals and piles of dirty dishes, it can be tempting to put off the washing until later. But leaving dishes in the sink, especially in hot water, can exposing families to higher levels of harmful bacteria.
Research suggests that kitchen sinks are among the the places most contaminated by germs in a house. One from 2019 examined kitchen surfaces in 46 UK homes and found that sinks and taps had the highest bacterial loads, surpassing other areas of common use. The results were attributed to the frequent contact with raw foodsunwashed hands and constant humidity, all conditions that allow bacteria to proliferate.
The study identified a wide range of bacteria often found in kitchen sinks, including Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and several species of Staphylococcus. It is known that some of these microbes cause foodborne illnessesparticularly in vulnerable individuals, such as children, the elderly and people with a weakened immune system.
Leaving dirty dishes in the sink can make the problem worse. THE warm, still water creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of bacteria, allowing them to multiply quickly. Even soaking dishes overnight offers little protection, experts say.
“If utensils are immersed in a pool of harmful bacteria, it becomes more difficult to eliminate all the bacteria during cleaning,” said Brian Labus, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Nevada. Although dry environments can delay bacterial growth, many microorganisms can survive and proliferate later when conditions improve. Leftover food left aside as well can attract insectswhich can spread bacteria throughout the kitchen.
Even careful washing of dishes may not eliminate all pathogens. A 2003 study that looked at common bacteria that cause food poisoning found that some microorganisms can survive standard hand washing and drying methods. Additional research has shown that even domestic dishwashers do not always eliminate all harmful bacteria.
According to scientists, the most effective method involves dishwashers equipped with superheated steam cycles, which expose utensils to intense heat. for at least 25 seconds. Without this feature, some bacteria may remain on plates, bowls and cutlery.
Health experts say prevention is key. Wash dishes immediately after use reduces the accumulation of bacteria and reduces the risk of cross-contamination. When immediate washing is not possible, regular disinfection of the sink becomes essential, especially during periods of intense kitchen use, such as holidays.
