The Germiest Places In Your Kitchen
“Good Morning America” teamed up with Consumer Reports to find the germiest places in a kitchen. Here are the biggest offenders:
Sticky Fingers:
Your own fingers can spread more germs than any other tool in your
kitchen. Salmonella from raw meat, dirt from unwashed vegetables and
outside material on your hands can all contaminate your kitchen.
Your Stuff and Your Counter Tops:
Your keys, your purse, and even the mail can transport bacteria into
your home from the outside. Your purse has been on store counter tops
and the mail has been in many hands before reaching the kitchen-these
items should never be deposited near your family’s food.
Reusable Grocery Bags:
Doing your part to save the planet may contaminate the environment in
your kitchen. Reusing the same bags overtime to transport raw meats and
vegetables can cause bacteria to grow on the surfaces of the tote.
The Fridge and Freezer:
Keep them cold enough. To keep food fresh and bacteria free-your
refrigerator should be kept between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The
freezer should be kept at zero degrees.
Dishcloths:
Dishcloths are often crawling with bacteria while posing as a cleaning
tool. When you wipe your hands after handling raw food and then use the
cloth to wipe down other surfaces, the bacteria is transferred.
Kitchen Sink:
The kitchen sink harbors dirty dishes, a breeding ground for bacteria.
The sink’s handles are usually the first stop after handling raw
food-thus, a magnet for salmonella and other dangerous bacteria.
Microwave:
The microwave is a hotbed of germ activity. Harmful bacteria can
certainly collect on the visible spills left behind on the inside of the
microwave. However, germs can also accumulate on the exterior buttons.
Sticky fingers often use the microwave buttons dozens of times between
washes.
