The Hidden Dangers Of Kitchen Fungi

Kitchen sponges are one of the most widely used utensils in the kitchen for washing dishes and surfaces.

However, this useful and ideal tool can go from being the best cleaning tool to being one of the worst enemies to your health when not used properly.

This tool is used to remove leftover food that is left on the plates after meals.

During the cleaning process, a large proportion of these food residues are absorbed by the fungus and create a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria, especially if the fungus remains wet from time to time it is used.

Bacteria such as E. coli, yellow staphylococci and salmonella can survive in the fungus for hours and even days after first contact with it. For this reason, it is a good idea to replace them frequently.

Kitchen mushrooms: The dirtiest things in your home

Dr. Philip Tierno, Clinical Professor of Microbiology and Pathology at the University of New York, states: “The dirtiest thing in your home is the sponge you use to wash dishes. It is dirtier than the toilet bowl and the rubbish bin ”.

The sponge contains small holes which help to remove residues, but also retains dirt and microorganisms that occur during the cleaning process.

Food residues absorbed into the fungus can remain in the fungus for a long time when it is not disinfected properly. For every 20 minutes that the fungus stays wet, more bacteria develop.

Dishwashing liquid on the sponge actually does not make it much cleaner either. Even the best sulfo can not completely remove all the pathogen found on the inside of the fungus along with the food scraps.

The best way to prevent disease from a fungus filled with dirty bacteria is through disinfection. It may seem a bit paradoxical that you need to clean an object that is used for cleaning, but the truth is that it is necessary and an effective way to remove microorganisms.

How do I clean and disinfect fungi?

In a study conducted by the United States Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in 2007,  several experiments were conducted to clarify the most effective way to remove pathogens collected in fungi. 

The first thing they did was soak the mushrooms at room temperature in a mixture that contained minced beef to create the necessary microfiber for the study. The following procedures were used to clarify the best way to disinfect kitchen fungi:

• Soak the sponge for 3 minutes in a mixture of 10% bleach.
• Soak in lemon juice for 1 minute.
• Heat in the microwave for 1 minute.
• Placement in the dishwasher on the drying program.

Softening fungi in bleach or lemon juice was able to reduce the bacterial content by 37% to 38%.

Microwave heating could remove 99.9% of the microorganisms. The result was the same if you used the drying program on the dishwasher. 

For disinfection in the microwave, rinse the sponge with clean water and place it in the microwave on high temperature for 2 minutes. Also remember that:

• Clean the sponge after use. 
• Switch between two sponges so you always have a clean sponge ready.
• Check the sponge and try to remove any leftover food when you have finished washing up. 
• Allow the fungus to dry after use to avoid overgrowth of bacteria.

• If the utensils or plates are greasy from animal fat, first clean them with a paper towel before using the sponge.