Kitchen Bacteria: Hidden Places Where Germs Lurk

The kitchen is one of the many places we frequent that we want to make sure is clean -- really, really clean. And unluckily for us, it's one of the two rooms in our homes where the most bacteria can be found. (Not surprisingly, the bathroom is the other room.) But it makes sense -- a lot of activity happens in the kitchen.

Not only is the kitchen one of the most popular places to gather, but raw foods (including meat) and dirty plates are handled on a regular basis. But it's important to keep it clean; bacteria can make you and your family sick. There are some spots that we always wipe down, and then others that we might not even know are important to disinfect. Click through the slideshow below to learn what 10 spots are harboring the most bacteria in your kitchen.

Have any tricks on keeping your kitchen clean? Leave a comment!

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Comments

[doorlie]

11:08 AM on 05/30/2012

The kitchen sink drain!! Wow! What will these devious little baccies think of next. They must really hate us for our freedoms.

[yellow marshmallow]

08:38 AM on 05/30/2012

Ever notice how many people vigourously scub a pot or a serving spoon and yet don't bother to scrub the handle which is the only part actually in contact with our grubby hands?

[Killjoy]

08:04 AM on 05/30/2012

For a second I thought there was a claim that bactiera is in the salt.

[tedhices]

07:51 AM on 05/30/2012

The kitchen drain, the kitchen faucet handle, and the kitchen sink are 3 different things?

[Spock]

07:48 AM on 05/30/2012

I need to wipe down my microwave better. Last year I tossed out a microwave that belonged to a person that was renting an apartment from my mother. That thing was FILTHY!!!! It had hard crusty stains inside and out. The inside looked more brown than white.

[Pleasedontdelete]

06:06 AM on 05/30/2012

"Hidden Places Where Germs Lurk"?

Which one was "Hidden"?

And there are a lot more places then the one's listed.

[frozenlake]

05:45 AM on 05/30/2012

I don't clean my kitchen much and I'm still alive. I regard the bacteria in the household as pets. We are used to each other. They don't do me any harm and I don't do them any harm either.

[AquaBuddha]

03:48 AM on 05/30/2012

What the use? We're all doomed... DOOMED I SAY!

[KIVPossum]

03:40 AM on 05/30/2012

The slides keep saying wipe down, wipe down. What good does that do? All you are doing is spreading the germs around. On a regular basis, at least twice a week, I clean everything in my kitchen with a clorox solution, then wipe it down with water and a clean towel

[xstinaP]

03:01 AM on 05/30/2012

The article didn't mention the can opener. I heard that is one of the dirtiest in the kitchen.

[straightuptalker]

06:10 AM on 05/30/2012

Faved for that. We tend to throw the can opener back into the drawer after opening a can of tuna, or even cat food. Just imagine what kind of bacteria is breeding inside that drawer...Yuck!

[Spock]

07:36 AM on 05/30/2012

A few years ago I took a look at my can opener and saw lots of crusty stuff on it. Ever since then I wash it after EVERY use. I usually let it soak in soapy water.

[WhatDaBleep]

02:33 AM on 05/30/2012

The problem with killing bad bacteria is that you also kill the good bacteria. Household cleaners don't care which ones which! This is part of the reason so many people are getting sick.

[AquaBuddha]

03:50 AM on 05/30/2012

Killing the beneficial just makes space for the bad ones.

[Spock]

07:39 AM on 05/30/2012

I think that matters more with bacteria in your body and the over use of antibiotics.

[mtheyseed]

03:38 PM on 05/25/2012

My mother taught me that if you didn't wipe everything down (cupboard/refrigerator handles, counters, etc with a bleach rag and sweep and clean up the floor after doing dishes, I wasn't done with dishes.

[doorlie]

11:11 AM on 05/30/2012

My grandma, who brought me up by hand, usedta say, Make sure you wash your back and your posteria, but she never did mention bacteria. Scary.