We Asked 3 Pro Cleaners What’s the Dirtiest Spot in the Kitchen
Because my husband and I both work from home, he typically makes all of our meals at home during the week. That means I clean the kitchen two to three times per day. Despite my meticulous and, truthfully, incessant cleaning, I know there is always bacteria lurking in areas unseen to the naked eye. It turns out, however, that the dirtiest spot in the kitchen, even mine that I have deemed ultra-clean, is right under your nose.
“Kitchen sinks can be as dirty as a toilet. Sounds crazy, I know!” says Maria Mooney, non-toxic cleaning expert and marketing director at Truly Free Home and Truly Free Market. “Research shows that a kitchen sink can carry more bacteria like E. coli than a toilet.”
From washing dishes and food items to draining potted plants, a kitchen sink sees plenty of dirt, grease, grime, bacteria, and more. While there are several other overlooked dirty spots in your kitchen, such as the space between the oven and counter or the top of the fridge, the kitchen sink is the most frequently used area and therefore the most in need of attention. Fortunately, three experts weighed in to provide useful tips to make sure your kitchen sink stays spotless, even after you’ve cleaned it.
Scrub with a multi-purpose cleaner.
When it comes to thoroughly cleaning your kitchen sink, dish soap and water might not be enough. Mooney recommends a chlorine-free bleach alternative, also known as oxygen bleach, as it’s versatile and can be used to clean other dirty areas around your home. Kasey Norton, marketing director at Hyve Clean, on the other hand, recommends a probiotic cleaner for its ability to clean surfaces that have been touched by food.
“Probiotic cleaners contain enzymes that break down dirt, grime, and other bad microbes,” she says. “Biofilm is a slimy-like layer that sticks bad microbes to each other and to your surfaces. When it is not addressed, particles can actually break off and spread to other areas of the home. Probiotics work to get inside the biofilm and break it up.”
When scrubbing your sink, Mooney and Norton recommend thoroughly coating your sink and letting the product sit for a couple of minutes (you can take this time to finish loading the dishwasher or put away leftovers). Then, scrub the entire sink using a clean, damp sponge and rinse with water.
Clean your drain and garbage disposal.
Once your sink has been scrubbed, it’s imperative to give the drain and garbage disposal a deep cleanse as well. While Lisa Yakas, microbiologist at the NSF, recommends pouring a solution of one tablespoon of household bleach in one quart of water down the drain once a month, you can opt for bleach-free cleaners such as baking soda or garbage disposal tablets. Additionally, a small cleaning brush can help remove gunk from those small crevices around the drain.
Switch out your sponges and rags.
You might not realize that the main tool you use to clean your sink, dishes, countertops, and more can be its own breeding ground for bacteria.
“According to one of our studies, we found coliform bacteria, a family of bacteria that includes Salmonella and E. coli and is an indicator of potential fecal contamination, on more than 75 percent of dish sponges and rags,” says Yakas.
All experts agree that washing your sponge daily is a must using hot water or tossing it in the microwave or dishwasher. You should also replace your sponge every few weeks to ensure a clean sink and an even cleaner kitchen.
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
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I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
