Kitchen towels and dish rags are an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable paper products, so keep them handy. You can use these for everyday tasks like wiping down counters, taking hot dishes out of the microwave, and wiping your hands. But if you are using same If you spill a lot of kitchen towels, germs can easily spread to your hands and surfaces in your home.
please think about it. When was the last time you actually washed your kitchen towels? Have you ever used the same towel for more than a week? If you can't remember, or if your answer is yes, consider washing your kitchen towels again. Read on for facts to help you remember.
What happens if you don't wash your kitchen towels?
If you tend to wipe down your kitchen counters every night instead of washing them regularly, your towels may be causing harmful bacteria to grow.
A 2018 study conducted at the University of Mauritius found that 49 percent of kitchen towels tested after one month of use had bacterial growth, including the same pathogens that cause food poisoning in adults and children. did.
In the same study, bacteria on kitchen towels increased depending on the number of family members using the towels, the type of food the family ate (meat or vegetarian), and the amount of time the towels were used without being washed. The bacteria was found to be more prevalent in households with non-vegetarian diets, leading researchers to believe that many people may not be handling raw meat in a sanitary manner.
Left: John Bessler.Right: Anthony Masterson Photography, Inc. | Design: Better Homes and Gardens
How often should I wash kitchen towels and dishcloths?
Kitchen towels can quickly collect dirt and germs. So how often should you wash your dish towels? Well, it depends on a few things, including the intended use. If you're only using a kitchen towel to dry your freshly washed hands, it will last a little longer. If you're using a dish towel to clean up after cooking meat or fish, you should toss it in the laundry immediately. Be sure to wash these towels in hot water and if they start to fray or tear, throw them away or throw them at a textile recycling center.
Some experts recommend washing towels daily or even after one use. A 2015 study conducted at Kansas State University found that towels are the most contaminated item in the kitchen. Participants in this study handled towels much more often than you might think, as “many participants touch the towel before washing their hands or use the towel after washing their hands insufficiently.” Research has revealed that. “Even after properly washing my hands, I reused the towel and contaminated myself again.”
The easiest way to prevent the growth of bacteria from such frequent use is to buy a few dish towels. Replace with new towels as needed and collect dirty towels in the trash until you are ready to wash them. Of course, you should always do what you think is best for you and your family, but these facts can help remind you to wash your kitchen towels a little more often than you currently do.
