We all have to deal with dirty dishes, especially if we don’t have a dishwasher. Some people are more aware that this is impractical, while others often hide behind the excuse of leaving it for later because nothing is happening. However, no reason imaginable for postponing this domestic task, even if it may seem trivial, is recommended.
There are compelling reasons why, if we belong to this second group, we should put aside laziness and consider putting an end to piles of plates and pans in the sink. And we’re not just talking about something unsightly or a recurring reason for arguments between partners.
Dirty dishes, a breeding ground for bacteria
We leave dishes in the sink because we are generally unaware of the inconvenience this causes. In reality, when we don’t wash them right away, we leave a source of bacterial growth in the kitchen, an open invitation for germs and a door for bad odors.
Bacteria, under the conditions they are in – humidity, time and, in some cases, temperature – can multiply quickly and spread from the sink to other parts of the kitchen.
These germs can come from many sources. If we have cooked with raw meat or seafood there may be bacteria such as E.coli or Salmonella, so it is best to wash potentially contaminated dishes immediately to prevent the spread of these pathogens.
We must not forget that we use the sink not only to wash dishes and other utensils, but also to rinse the products or wash the utensils with which we cook, which leads us to consider that it is one of the places we tend to forget. when we talk about food security.
Studies like this one from the United States Food Safety and Inspection Service confirm that this is one of the most contaminated areas. According to research, and after preparing a meal with raw sausages, shelled eggs and fresh fruit like chopped melon, the most contaminated surface after preparation is the sink. The bacteria we can find there can contaminate other foods, including those we usually eat raw.
Letting them soak, a risky practice
If, in addition to leaving dishes in the sink, we have the habit of soaking them before washing them, perhaps we should reconsider our decision. We mostly do this because we think it will be easier to clean them later or sometimes even out of sheer laziness. However, this is not a good idea because although soaking dishes may appear clean, they are actually riddled with germs and bacteria that can stay alive for hours.
The problem with this practice is that organisms, including bacteria, viruses or parasites, will grow more quickly if the dishes are soaked and can survive and multiply in the accumulated water if we do not regularly refill them with water fresh. The water temperature will most likely be below 60°C, which again provides an ideal environment for the development of microorganisms. In fact, we help these living beings to develop and multiply.
The longer you leave dishes unwashed, the more time bacteria will have to grow, especially if you leave them in lukewarm water, which can quickly turn into a bacteria soup. We must keep in mind that, in the sink, even a small amount of bacteria can multiply quickly because it is a humid environment and full of nutrients from food leftovers. The best thing to do is to avoid disorder.
How to properly wash dishes in the sink (and how to wash the sink)
If, after thinking about leaving the dirty dishes in the sink, we want to wash them, it is important to do so with hot water and detergent and scrub them vigorously to remove any remains of food that may have been stuck.
To do this, you also need to pay attention to the scouring pad and the kitchen towels, making sure that they are really clean so that you can clean the dishes well. Sponges are an ideal haven for bacteria and germs. In fact, several studies confirm that sponges are one of the dirtiest places in the house.
Like one published in Nature, which reveals the density of microscopic bacteria present in a dirty kitchen sponge, even if washed with soap or in the microwave, since it has been shown to harbor more bacteria called Moraxella osloensis which, although common and harmless, can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems.
There’s no point in washing dishes well if you then dry them with a dirty cloth that has become a reservoir for spills and other small disasters in the kitchen. This means it will be full of dirt and germs. To avoid this, we can follow some tips to keep them clean and odor-free.
The work doesn’t stop when we take the last plate or pot out of the sink. You also need to wash this area, clean it well and disinfect it, because every time you leave dirty dishes in the sink, the remaining food scraps come into contact with the bottom or sides and leave traces bacteria that could spread.
It is therefore important not only not to leave dirty dishes there, but also to disinfect them, the bottom and the sides, periodically in order to minimize the risk of this spread. This cleaning should not ignore the faucet, since we often touch it with our hands, as well as the drain and the sink rubber, which we can clean with an old toothbrush to avoid the formation of biofilm, c ‘that is to say a layer of microorganisms. .
We can use warm water and soap and, to disinfect, apply a disinfectant and let it air dry. If we clean and disinfect well, we greatly reduce the risk of cross-contamination of our food and other utensils.
