Your kitchen sponge is a breeding ground for bacteria
Does your kitchen sponge, your ultimate everyday tool, really help you clean? You will have your doubts when you read the following.
As revealed by a study published in the journal Scientific Reports in July and relayed by Sciences et Avenir, the ordinary little object that hangs around on the edge of your kitchen sinks could contain millions of germs.
Scientists analyzed 28 samples of kitchen sponges and the result is clear: while these sponges contain numerous harmless microorganisms, they also contain the DNA of potentially dangerous bacteria.
Among these bacteria, we find, among others, Escherichia, Citrobacter and Leclercia, which can be vectors of intestinal infections, particularly in newborns. Fortunately, there are no traces of other bacteria such as salmonella.
The kitchen sponge is a favorable environment for the proliferation of germs. First, because we pick up dirt with it (logical), but also because it's porous and, most of the time, damp. When the sponge takes a long time to dry, the dirty water stagnates and bacteria develops.
The only solution to permanently getting rid of bacteria: change your kitchen sponge regularly (once a week). You can also clean them with water and dishwashing liquid after use, without forgetting to rinse them.
You can also opt to use microfiber cloths and dishwashing brushes.
(MH with LpR/Picture: Pille R. Priske via Unsplash)
