Correct these common mistakes when washing dishes to prevent bacteria from thriving and harming your health.
Washing dishes may seem simple, but not everyone knows the right way to do it. In particular, some common mistakes during the dishwashing process can inadvertently increase the amount of bacteria that cling to your dishes. Continuing to use these contaminated dishes can lead to bacteria entering your body and causing illness.
Here are some dishwashing mistakes you need to correct immediately to prevent bacteria buildup.
1. Soaking Dishes in the Sink
Soaking dishes for too long in the sink can foster a colony of harmful bacteria.
Many families have a habit of soaking their dishes in the sink for a while before washing them, and some even leave them soaking until the next meal. However, this practice can nurture a colony of harmful bacteria that directly affects your health.
The longer dishes are left unwashed, the harder they become to clean, as food residues ferment and produce unpleasant odors. Once bacteria cling to your dishes, no matter how much you scrub with dish soap, you won’t be able to eliminate all of them.
Therefore, after eating, you should proactively wash your dishes immediately to prevent bacteria from lingering on your family’s tableware.
2. Not Sorting Dishes While Washing
Proper dishwashing involves sorting dishes by type.
For dishes that contain a lot of grease, you should avoid washing them together. This will double your dishwashing time.
The correct way to wash dishes is to sort them by type. Start with dishes that are not greasy, then move on to those that are greasy. Additionally, you should separate dishes that contained raw meat from those that held vegetables. Always wash cooked food items first before washing raw ones.
3. Not Replacing Dish Sponges Regularly
You should replace your dish sponge every 2-3 weeks.
Using the same sponge repeatedly for months can lead to the buildup of bacteria that can affect your health. Therefore, you should replace your dish sponge every 2-3 weeks. Furthermore, kitchen towels should be designated for specific uses, such as one for wiping knives and cutting boards and another for drying dishes, to prevent cross-contamination.
Additionally, make sure to rinse the sponge thoroughly after each use and allow it to dry in a well-ventilated area to avoid mold.
4. Stacking Wet Dishes in a Sealed Cabinet
After washing dishes, let them dry before storing them in a cabinet.
Many people have the habit of putting clean dishes directly into a sealed cabinet right after washing them. However, this inadvertently allows bacteria to proliferate. Therefore, you should make sure to place dishes on a drying rack to let them dry completely before storing them in the cabinet to prevent bacteria from lingering.
5. Using Too Much Dish Soap, Resulting in Residues
When dishes are excessively dirty or when washing plastic containers that easily trap grease, many people, fearing they won’t be clean enough, tend to use an excessive amount of dish soap. This is especially common during festive seasons when there are many greasy, heavily flavored dishes.
Yan Zonghai, a toxicology researcher at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan, China), states: “Using a larger amount of detergent does increase cleaning effectiveness. However, the ‘side effect’ is that it becomes very difficult to rinse all the chemicals away; residues can remain on the dishes and even seep into the materials, especially with wooden, ceramic, and porcelain items.”
“When these items are used for cooking or storing food, especially hot food, the chemicals can mix into the food and enter the body. Over time, this can accumulate and lead to various health issues, affecting the liver, stomach, and potentially leading to cancer. It can also spoil the taste of food and make dishes more prone to breaking or damage.”
6. Not Wearing Gloves While Washing Dishes
Wearing gloves while washing dishes protects your health, especially your skin. (Illustrative image).
Many people underestimate the need to wear gloves, believing their skin is tough enough or that they will have trouble with dexterity and won’t clean the dishes properly. However, Dr. Tsutomu Sekizaki warns: “Not wearing gloves while washing dishes allows the chemicals in the detergent to dry out your skin, causing peeling, erosion, and damage to your epidermis and nails. Worse, chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, entering the body if there is prolonged exposure, which can be harmful.”
Therefore, it is recommended to wear gloves whenever using dish soap. If you are concerned about losing dexterity, you can choose thin, snug-fitting gloves to make handling easier. After washing, don’t forget to wash your hands with water and apply hand moisturizer.
