Many people are reluctant to wash dishes after eating. Some people have come up with the idea of soaking dishes in the sink until they are full, then washing them all at once. They think that this saves money and they don’t have to wash dishes many times.
However, this habit does more harm than good. According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, soaking dirty dishes in water for too long makes them dirtier and takes longer to clean.
Why do dishes and chopsticks soak in the sink and breed bacteria?
Accordingly, this report said that the longer unwashed dishes are left in the sink, the more time bacteria have to grow and develop. Most bacteria can reproduce at 20-30°C, equivalent to room temperature. If you are too lazy to wash dishes, bacteria can survive and reproduce perfectly at this time.
The sink is always full of harmful microorganisms such as E. coli or salmonella. They come from many sources such as the raw meat and seafood we buy, or grow from leftover food scraps, even the sink drain.
In addition, the dishes and chopsticks you have used still have food residue and grease, which are nutrients for bacteria to grow. Finally, due to laziness, bacteria have more time to adapt after entering the new environment.
With a humid environment, the sink is an ideal place for bacteria to breed. Therefore, the best way to ensure the health of the whole family is to wash the dishes immediately after eating. In addition, you should also change the sponge used to wash dishes regularly, because they can also be another source of infection that makes your dishes dirtier.
Harmful habits when washing dishes can easily bring illness to the whole family
1. Stack dishes after use
This is a habit of most people to make the dishes look neater and easier to clean. However, doing so will easily cause the oil on the bowl to stick to the outside of the bowl first, making cross-contamination worse.
So when washing dishes, the best way is to separate the dishes, put the greasy items aside, and wash the greasy items first. In addition, the bottom and outside of the dishes must be washed clean.
2. Dry dishes immediately after washing or put them away even if they are not dry.
After washing the dishes, you should let them dry, do not use a towel to dry them, to avoid the spread of microorganisms. In addition, pay attention to utensils such as chopsticks and wooden cutting boards that are susceptible to mold. Using a towel to dry them may only dry the outside but the inside will still be damp.
3. Dishwashing sponge used for a long time without replacing
Many families are lazy to change their dishwashing sponges, it is best to change them every 2 weeks. Moreover, dish towels and kitchen towels should be used separately, not shared to avoid spreading bacteria to each other.
In addition, we also need to note that bacteria always like humid environments, so do not leave the dishwashing sponge right on the sink or on the kitchen counter. After washing, dry it thoroughly.
