Hygiene expert, Lisa Yakas, has revealed to Bon Appétit that we should be disinfecting our kitchen sink at least once a week. If you have been handling raw meat or scrubbing dirty potatoes in the sink, however, you'll need to up your cleaning game and get scrubbing immediately.
To keep microorganisms from populating your sink, you should wash and disinfect the sides and bottom at least one a week, says Lisa Yakas, microbiologist and Senior Certification Project Manager of Food Equipment at NSF International.
Giving your sink a wipe after use will prevent germs and grime from building up. Use a damp cloth with a washing up liquid solution or an anti-bacterial spray. Always clean your sink after preparing raw foods and rinse away liquids like tea which might stain lighter coloured sinks.
"There's more fecal bacteria in your kitchen sink than there is in a toilet after you flush it," said microbiologist Charles Gerba, known as "Dr. Germ." But if you flush with the toilet lid up, you can be spreading fecal material more than six feet.
How Often to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink. Kitchen sinks should be cleaned after each time they are used for food preparation to remove any bacteria and food particles that may linger on the surface. With regular daily cleaning, a deeper clean should only be needed about once a week.
Cleaners such as Bon-Ami, Bar Keepers Friend or other typical household cleaners are recommended. These cleaners can easily be used with warm water, sponges or clean cloths. Remember to always scrub in the direction of the polish lines so that your efforts blend with the surface of your sink.
1. Kitchen Sponge/Dish Rag. The item most frequently used to clean dishes and countertops was actually the germiest place found in most homes. Sponges and dish rags can pick up bacteria during the cleaning process, and, if not properly sanitized between uses, can be a prime spot for germ growth.
A home's kitchen sink carries more bacteria than both the toilet and the garbage can, Gerba's research found. "There's more fecal bacteria in a sink than there is in a flushed toilet," Gerba told "Today." "That's why dogs drink out of the toilet.
Even if they look clean, sinks can get really gross — Tetro says the bathroom sink accumulates fecal matter (from washing your hands after you use the bathroom). Also, bacteria from food, like E. Coli and Salmonella, can contaminate the kitchen sink, especially if you've been handling raw meat.
Just like bathtubs and showers get residue buildup from washing our bodies, your kitchen sink gets dirty from washing dishes, pots, and pans. Grease, food particles, and other stuff that comes off your plates and utensils create a dirty film on your sink—and a germ-infested breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
'The easiest kitchen sink material to maintain is going to be one made of stainless steel, copper, cast iron or enamel because they will not support microbial growth as they are not cellulose material,' says Darren Hudema, director of training and technical services at PuroClean.
Rinse the sink with warm or hot soapy water. Wipe the faucet and handles with a mild soapy solution. Use the toothbrush to clean the hard-to-reach areas. If you see any spots lingering, use a cloth soaked in white vinegar to remove them.
How Often Does The Average Person Clean Their House? Research by the American Cleaning Institute found that Americans spend 6 hours cleaning every week, while a third wonder if they are cleaning enough and correctly. Most homeowners sweep and mop, vacuum, clean the bathroom, and dust furniture once a week.
Weekly: Deep-clean your toilet once a week or biweekly—this includes the toilet bowl, exterior and toilet seat. Yearly: Clean your toilet tank twice a year.
If you're looking to disinfect your kitchen sink, vinegar is also your answer. White vinegar can kill bacteria without presenting the same risks as chemical cleaners. To clean your sink with vinegar, mix up a solution of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Baking soda will always help get rid of bacteria from your kitchen sink. To do this, rinse the empty sink with cold water and then spread baking soda all over. Then scrub it all with a sponge and pour enough vinegar to dissolve the powder. To finish, rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
Stainless steel has long been a material of choice for its hygienic properties, resistance to stains, rust, and corrosion, and affordability. But it is not the only metal on the market; copper and brass sinks can be used to make a design statement.
The most germ-infested items in any home are the towels in a kitchen or bathroom. There seems to be one too many stories in the news about Ebola, some new type of flu and other fast-spreading germs, viruses and bacteria.
To no one's surprise, the #1 hardest to clean appliance is the oven. Boy, it does a lot of work. Having an oven is amazing. It cooks and bakes a lot of things.
According to germ expert Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, the kitchen sponge is actually the dirtiest item in your home. Here's why: While you clean various surfaces and dishes with your sponge, the porous surface collects food particles.
Avoid cleaners that can damage steel and finishes. Instead, clean your stainless steel appliances with a dish soap like Dawn® Platinum. Its unique formula is tough enough to break up grease and grime while staying gentle on stainless steel surfaces.
Is Comet safe to use on Corian, Formica, porcelain, fiberglass and stainless steel. Yes. Comet Cleansers, Comet Soft Cleanser and Comet Bathroom Sprays are all safe to use on these surfaces.