Germs are everywhere. They are in the air, on plants and animals, and on just about every object or surface we touch, including the human body. In fact, they’re even on you right now, and on the screen off of which you are reading this article. Today we consider the kitchen, and all the microorganisms that can be found in this space.
Pervasive as these little invisible critters are, they are usually nothing to fear. However, no matter how clean your home is, the fight against germs and bacteria is a never-ending battle. Therefore, arming yourself with the necessary knowledge and techniques to combat any disease-causing agents is the best way to keep yourself and your home safe and protected.
New York Pathologist and self-described microbe hunter, Philip Tierno provides imperative insight into our germy counterparts and the dirtiest places in your home environment. Tierno wrote a book called The Secret Life of Germs in which he describes that “germs are ubiquitous [and that] all living beings, rocks, soil, are riddled with germs. We came from primordial single cells. Germs were here before us”.
Understanding household germs & Where They Come From
So, what exactly are germs? Tiny organisms are peppered all over our lives, and some even contribute positively to our health. However, the ones we consider “germs” are a variety of bacteria and viruses that can be potentially harmful to you and your family. The germ theory of disease suggests that these unseen microorganisms known as pathogens or ‘germs’ invade humans, other animals and living hosts. It explains that certain diseases are therefore caused by the invasion of a body by these microorganisms.
Tierno suggests that there are three main ways that human beings generate germs. The first, he suggests is the skin. As our biggest organ, this external protective membrane is home to thousands of different kinds of germs that are easily transferred to other objects and surfaces as we go about conducting daily activities.
The second source of germs develops from your respiratory tree – your mouth and your nose. The action of talking, coughing and sneezing are common ways that we unknowingly impart germs into the air.
Finally, humans generate germs through the natural processes of cleaning and excretion. For example, Tierno states that “There are more germs in a single teaspoon of faeces than there were men who walked the face of the Earth”.
The Kitchen
Busting a very popular myth, A 2011 study by NSF International found that the kitchen, and not the bathroom, was the dirtiest place in a home. The study discovered that sponges and dish rags were the dirtiest objects in a household, followed by the kitchen sink. An astonishing 75% of dish sponges and rages were contaminated with coliform bacteria which is an indicator of possible faecal matter. Additionally, the floor directly in front of the sink reveals more bacteria than a rubbish bin. Other potentially contaminated kitchen surfaces are countertops, cooking appliances, cutting boards and the refrigerator door.
Even though many individuals often clean and disinfect areas like the toilet, shower and bathroom skin, the kitchen sink is often only rinsed out every now and again. Since the sink is often wet, this is the perfect place for bacteria from uncooked meat products, dirty dinner plates and old Tupperware’s to manifest and grow. Similarly, the chopping boards and countertops that you prepare raw meats and fresh produce on, often contain traces of E. Coli and salmonella.
Clean out your sink regularly with disinfecting cleansers and a good scrub. Have designated boards to the different food products and sanitise your boards after every use. (meat products, plant based and dairy). Pop your wet (non-metal) sponges into the microwave for 2 minutes, or into the dishwasher for a cycle. Regularly replace your dish cloths and make the effort to also have designated clothes for the various areas of your kitchen. This will reduce the changes of cross-contamination.
There are many other spaces and places that our germy counterparts seem to find their way into. With this said however, the kitchen is a communal space for living where the whole family prepare meals, consume foods and conduct many other activities. In this way, ensuring your kitchen is consistently clean and disinfected is imperative to the health and safety of your family.