Global homeware brand, reveals what lurks beneath, and what can be done to make sure your kitchen is spick and span!

Home and Garden on Female First

Home and Garden on Female First

It can be hard to keep on top of cleaning tasks around the house; our endlessly busy lifestyles mean time is often spent elsewhere and as a result it is usually the household chores which suffer.

However, when the chores are left too long, bacteria and germs can breed and spread.

The team at homeware brand Zyliss is passionate about making sure their kitchen products are equipped with antibacterial properties to offer increased hygiene, and give you one less thing to worry about. Plus, to help you understand exactly where the key germ-infested hot spots are in the kitchen, the Zyliss experts have dispelled some of the most common preconceptions about kitchen hygiene.

MYTH: Dishcloths and sponges clean themselves as they are constantly absorbing cleaning products

A common misconception is that dishcloths and sponges are some of the cleanest items in the kitchen, given the fact they are constantly covered in hot soapy water, however this is not the case. In fact, it is dishcloths and sponges that harbour the most bacteria. More specifically, dishcloths have six times as much bacteria as toilet handles!

TOP TIP: To keep your dishcloths and sponges’ bacteria-free, regularly replace them every two to three weeks and leave them to dry in an airy environment after every use.

FACT: Washing hands is the most important way to fight infections

It’s the oldest rule in the book, and probably the most well-known, but washing your hands really is the most effective way to ensure germs aren’t spread. Hands can carry up to 3,000 different kinds of bacteria which can easily be picked up from opening and closing the oven door and kitchen cupboard doors, as well as passing them on during food preparation.

TOP TIP: Always use hand sanitiser or anti-bacterial hand wash before and after preparing food, and even before eating. Encourage everyone in the house to do the same! 

MYTH: Knife blocks and utensil holders are the best way to keep utensils clean

You could be fooled into thinking that utensil pots and generic knife blocks are the best way to keep your kitchen utensils clean as well as tidy, however these clever storage solutions often serve as a breeding ground for yeast and mould to multiply. If not cleaned and disinfected regularly these storage solutions will store bacteria within the base which then easily gets passed on to other kitchen utensils, including cutlery which we then use to consume food.

TOP TIP: Clean your utensil holders regularly using disinfectant, and to ensure your knives are kept clean and to ensure germs aren’t passed on to food, look for a knife block which has been designed with antibacterial properties. The Zyliss Control Knife Block comes with removeable sheaths which are, in addition to the knives themselves, completely dishwasher safe and contain an anti-bacterial agent to ensure knives are kept at their most hygienic.  

FACT: It’s important to disinfect kitchen surfaces before and after preparing food

Another common misconception is that it’s only necessary to clean and wipe down your kitchen surfaces after you’ve prepared food, when in fact they should be cleaned before as well. Leaving kitchen windows open and touching surfaces with unclean hands can leave unwanted bacteria festering on your kitchen surfaces, which can then be transferred to your family’s meals. It’s important to note that frequently touched surfaces in the kitchen such as taps and door handles, can be hotspots for the transfer of microorganisms that cause many common tummy infections.

TOP TIP: Ensure your surfaces are cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. If you’re in a rush try anti-bacterial wipes for efficiency and ease! 


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