This Is the Grossest Thing in Your Kitchen Right Now
Getty Cooking isn't exactly a squeaky clean hobby. Each time you rip open a package of chicken breast, you invite bacteria into your kitchen, and a new study shows that people aren't great at containing those germs as they prepare meals.
The one spot in your kitchen that gets especially grimy? The lowly dish towel (yes, even those cute decorative ones).
The USDA-funded study videotaped 123 people preparing meals that included a meat dish and fruit salad. Not only did 90% of those salads wind up contaminated in the prep process, but dish towels were deemed the most contaminated spot, and were frequently touched by the participants.
Videos showed the participants often touching the towel before washing their hands, potentially spreading bacteria (via raw meat) to the cloth, Science Daily reports. Then, even if they properly washed up, they'd retouch the towel and contaminate their hands again (and presumably go back to preparing that bacteria-filled fruit salad — yikes!).
Much like the hand towels in your bathroom, you should replace your kitchen towels daily, or at least on days you've been cooking (bacteria on the towels can grow overnight). Plus, lead research Jeannie Sneed recommends reaching for paper towels as you wipe up spills or dry your hand while cooking to minimize spreading bacteria.
One more thing: You might want to keep your cell phone out of the kitchen, too. The researchers also noted that many of the study's participants regularly grabbed their phones while cooking, perhaps to check a recipe. But if you're the type who takes your iPhone into the bathroom (and you probably are), you risk spreading germs like E. coli. You cell phone is likely dirtier than your toilet seat, and unlike a dish towel, you can't reach for a fresh one every day. Stock up on alcohol wipes instead.
More from Good Housekeeping:
• 6 Big Mistakes You Make Washing Sheets
• The Best Way to Clean Grimy Grout
• 14 Hidden Germ Spots Around the House
[via Lifehacker
From: Good Housekeeping US
The one spot in your kitchen that gets especially grimy? The lowly dish towel (yes, even those cute decorative ones).
The USDA-funded study videotaped 123 people preparing meals that included a meat dish and fruit salad. Not only did 90% of those salads wind up contaminated in the prep process, but dish towels were deemed the most contaminated spot, and were frequently touched by the participants.
Videos showed the participants often touching the towel before washing their hands, potentially spreading bacteria (via raw meat) to the cloth, Science Daily reports. Then, even if they properly washed up, they'd retouch the towel and contaminate their hands again (and presumably go back to preparing that bacteria-filled fruit salad — yikes!).
Much like the hand towels in your bathroom, you should replace your kitchen towels daily, or at least on days you've been cooking (bacteria on the towels can grow overnight). Plus, lead research Jeannie Sneed recommends reaching for paper towels as you wipe up spills or dry your hand while cooking to minimize spreading bacteria.
One more thing: You might want to keep your cell phone out of the kitchen, too. The researchers also noted that many of the study's participants regularly grabbed their phones while cooking, perhaps to check a recipe. But if you're the type who takes your iPhone into the bathroom (and you probably are), you risk spreading germs like E. coli. You cell phone is likely dirtier than your toilet seat, and unlike a dish towel, you can't reach for a fresh one every day. Stock up on alcohol wipes instead.
More from Good Housekeeping:
• 6 Big Mistakes You Make Washing Sheets
• The Best Way to Clean Grimy Grout
• 14 Hidden Germ Spots Around the House
[via Lifehacker
From: Good Housekeeping US
By Lauren Piro
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