The kitchen may be the heart of many homes, but it’s also home to some of the dirtiest places in the kitchen. There’s the usual mess after family dinner or Christmas lunch: used dishes, food splatters on the stove, and sticky floors. But even after the usual clean-up, hidden grime lurks in plain sight—think refrigerator handles, dish sponges, and, yes, even the sink!
Read on and discover the top 5 dirtiest places in the kitchen and how to clean them properly.
Top 5 dirtiest places in the kitchen
1. Microwave
You may think microwave heat is enough to keep the germs at bay (we’ve all been there), but it’s actually the opposite. If not regularly cleaned or disinfected, microwaves are the perfect environment for germs and grime to thrive (thanks to last week’s spaghetti splashes on the back wall), making it one of the most germ-ridden spots in the kitchen.
What to do:
Cover foods to prevent splashes. Clean down any food bits left behind. Wipe down the inside of your microwave with hot soapy water, or a disinfectant spray, at least once a week.
2. Dish sponges and dishcloths
It’s not surprising that the items we use to keep things clean end up being the dirtiest. When dish sponges and dishcloths aren’t properly cleaned, disinfected, and dried, they are more prone to harbour harmful bacteria and microbes (like E. coli and Salmonella). Using these dish sponges and cloths can potentially contaminate surfaces and foods with kitchen germs you didn’t know were there!
What to do:
Replace dish sponges and dishcloths regularly. Boil dishcloths in soapy water and let them dry before the next use. Clean and disinfect dish sponges by dampening and microwaving them on high for a minute.
3. Sink
Even though there’s plenty of water rinsing your sink every day, they’re perfect for hidden kitchen bacteria hotspots with harmful microbes found lurking in the crevices. The faucet, handles, drain, and where the sink joins the countertop are all perfect environments to catch and allow harmful microbes to multiply.
What to do:
Disinfect the sink after rinsing meats and fresh produce, after every meal, after washing up dirty dishes, or at least once a day. Scrub the sink with hot soapy water (remember to scrub all the sneaky crevices) and finish with a disinfectant kitchen spray.
4. Refrigerator
Not only are refrigerators perfect for hiding a tasty midnight snack, but they’re also an ideal hiding spot for spills, forgotten leftovers, and harmful bacteria. Fresh produce, dairy, condiments, and meat products are usually stored as is from the grocery shop, without being rinsed or wiped down. While this improves shelf life, it also means any lingering microbes or bacteria from packaging or handling can transfer directly onto shelves and drawers. Leaky containers and unnoticed spills tend to collect in corners, making the fridge one of the sneakiest dirty places in your kitchen!
What to do:
Remove fridge shelves and drawers and scrub them well with hot soapy water at least once a month. In between monthly cleans, clear any spills or forgotten leftovers and spray surfaces with a disinfectant.
5. Appliance knobs, handles, and touch screens
Most kitchen appliances have knobs, touch screens, and handles that we touch each time we use them. These knobs, handles, and touch screens don’t always look filthy and are often overlooked during cleaning. This leads to the dreaded build-up of grime, harmful microbes and bacteria.
What to do:
Wipe down any knobs, handles, and touch screens with a disinfectant spray either daily (especially after handling raw foods like pork and chicken), or at least once a week.
Keep these top sneaky spots in mind for your next spring clean and make your kitchen feel as good as it looks!
Also see: The best way to unclog a kitchen sink
