What do kitchen sponges, cutting boards and toothbrushes have in common? Sure, they are all cleaning implements 3 but did you know they are also prolific carriers of nasty household bacteria?
Kitchen cloths and sponges
The problem: An accumulation of food particles from previous kitchen clean ups cling to your sponge at any given time — and that's just where the problem starts. The moist environment that is a sponge's general habitat make the sponge or dish rag a potent playground for bacteria to grow and multiply.
The solution: Change (not just wash) your sponges regularly. Decide on a set lifetime for your sponge — or go by appearance (if your sponge is starting to shred or look grey then it's time to replace it). For the more cautious housekeeper, you can identify separate sponges for separate jobs — yellow sponge for dishes, blue for cleaning counters etc. This helps to stop cross-contamination. For a quick mid-life clean, toss your damp sponge in the microwave on high for 30 seconds to kill off any germs. Wash dish rags in the washing machine on a hot cycle and dry in the dryer.
Cutting boards
The problem: Cutting boards are used to prepare a variety of foods, including raw meat which can contain potentially dangerous bacteria such as salmonella. Also, if you're not washing your produce thoroughly before cutting, the bacteria clinging to your broccoli or strawberries can transfer to your board.
The solution: Keep separate boards — one for meats, another for vegetables — to avoid cross-contamination. The raw meat board needs a little more attention so after use rinse it and drop it in the dishwasher. Don't forget to clean your sink afterwards with soapy water or disinfectant. No dishwasher? Wash the board thoroughly with a scrubber in hot, soapy water, then spray with a bleach/water solution to sanitise it. Rinse off the solution and let the board dry thoroughly before you put it away (remember, germs thrive in moist environments). If your board is cracking or developing deep grooves, throw it away and buy another — those grooves can harbor bacteria. And don't worry about whether or not you have a wood or plastic cutting board, both are fine as long as the proper sanitary precautions are taken.
Toothbrushes
The problem: Despite popular conceptions, our mouths are full of bacteria, which can transfer to our brushes after a cleaning. Brushes are also often left sitting out on a shelf or counter wher they can pick up germs. When you wash your hands, for example, splashes can hit your toothbrush delivering bacteria straight to your bristles.
The solution: Allow the brush to air-dry between brushings in a drawer or medicine cabinet (not on the counter or near items like cleaning products that can get onto the brush). Like sponges, remember to change your brush every few months — and after someone's been sick.
Computers, mobile phones and gadgets
The problem: Not as obvious but just as troublesome are household gadgets like computers, mobile phones and television remote controls. These items can harbour a plethora of bacteria left over from handling food, suppressing coughs or changing the cat litter.
The solution: In a perfect world, we'd all wash our hands a lot more often (the perfect hand wash would involve hot water, soap and about 20 seconds of active lathering). Given that this may be unrealistic (especially for young children), the next best intervention is to wipe down gadgets with antibacterial-based wipes or sprays.
Pets
The problem: Pets carry general bacteria from playing, walking and eating outside. If your kitty creates an outdoor litter box, for example, or your dog investigates something dead and rotten, all kinds of bacteria get tracked into your home via paw, fur or through saliva.
The solution: Be sure to worm and treat pets for fleas and mites and brush fur regularly (dead hair can harbor dirt and bacteria). For the more particular housekeeper, you may want to wipe your pet's paws when it comes in from outside. Finally, always wash your own hands after handling pets.
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