Did you know that your kitchen sink is filthier than a toilet seat?
Learn how to properly clean a kitchen sink and disinfect it, too.
Another dirty object is your kitchen sinkthe same place you wash food, dishes, and your hands.
In a kitchen sink, youre looking at 10,000 for every square centimeter.
It could be even as high as a million.
To get rid of unwanted bacteria, itll take more than just dish soap and hot water.
former grove guide at Grove Collaborative
The expert: Jason Tetro, microbiologist
Jason Tetrois a microbiologist with over 25 years of experience.
Fortunately, biofilm itself is often innocuous, as are the everyday microbes living in the kitchen sink.
Its stickiness also makes it difficult to remove.
You actually have to use a pretty harsh disinfectant, Tetro says.
He recommends cleaning your kitchen sink daily and disinfecting when need be or once a week.
Tetro says you dont have to use anything more than detergent and a sponge.
One of our favorites is the versatile and timelessBon Ami Cleanser($10), she toldWell+Good.
Keep in mind that a clean kitchen sink goes beyond the basin.
You want to give the same level of care to the kitchen sink drain, too.
former grove guide at Grove Collaborative
Dirty drains can be a breeding ground for pests like fruit flies, says Dixon.
As an alternative, you could use hydrogen peroxide.
Bleach and hydrogen peroxide can kill numerous different types of bacteria and viruses very effectively, he says.
Another viable option are disinfectants containing citric acid, an ingredient that packs a powerful punch.
This, he says, will help lift biofilm on the surface of a kitchen sink.
Clorox, Disinfectant Cleaner With Bleach Spray, 32 Fl.
Its formula also works to cut through grease and grime, as well as eliminate any lingering odors.
As a plus, it received a 4.7-star overall rating on Amazon after more than 3,100 reviews.
Spray Nine, 26810 Heavy Duty Cleaner/Degreaser and Disinfectant, 32 Fl.
Its also worth thinking about the material of your kitchen sink.
Read the product label to ensure that the disinfectant is safe to use on the surface of your sink.
Tetro says that this is the most important factor when using a disinfectant.
Unfortunately, sometimes people dont do that, he says.
Ideally, you want to disinfect your kitchen sink once every week.
However, he adds, youll want to disinfect your sink immediately after handling raw meat, particularly chicken.
Considering how much unwanted bacteria a dirty kitchen sink can accumulate, its well worth the extra step.
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