You may be cleaning your kitchen counter five times a day and tidying those shelves at least once, but if you are not replacing those dishwashing scrubs as frequently as you should, you are inviting a lot of health issues. But how often should you reach out for the new packet? We answer that question today. According to Ananya, a nutritionist, research has found that more bacteria live on your kitchen scrubs and sponges. "They are dirtier than your toilet seat. Kitchen scrubs and sponges harbour the largest amount of E.Coli and other fecal bacteria, mostly because they aren’t replaced as often as they should, and never dry up. Most of us use it for at least six months and never replace it," she noted on Instagram, adding that these bacteria can cause mild to severe intestinal and skin infections. Agreeing with her, Dr G Sneha, consultant, internal medicine, CARE Hospitals Banjara Hills said one should replace kitchen scrubs every two or three weeks. "Failure to do so may lead to cross-contamination and gastrointestinal infections through the spread of bacteria. The damp state and constant presence of food in these kitchen scrubs propagate pathogens, which can spread to dishes, utensils, and/or other surfaces increasing the chances of accidentally consuming them," added Dr Sneha. Things to note To lower or eliminate bacterial growth, she suggested the following: *Replace your scrubs/sponges frequently. "Stick to a period of 1-2 weeks for sponges and 1-2 months for brushes, in terms of change and replacement," said Dr Sneha. *After every wash, clean it. Wash in hot, soapy water. Rinse after every use and let it sun dry. "Soaking kitchen scrubs for 5 minutes in a bleach solution or microwaving them for 1-2 minutes can eradicate bacteria," said Dr Sneha. *Store in a dry place. This helps limit harmful bacteria from multiplying as quickly. According to Dr Sneha, before each use, ensure that scrubs are already dry. *You can also microwave damp sponges and scrubs for one minute. Putting your scrubs/sponge in the dishwasher can also help kill off harmful bacteria. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ananya| Nutritionist (@ananyastouchofhealth) Note: Scrubs that appear or smell worn or odorous, must be discarded and replaced with newerer ones, added Dr Sneha.
