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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - GERMS IN THE KITCHEN


Health editor Janice Kerr talks about the germiest place in your kitchen and what you can do about it. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! Do you know which item in your kitchen is the #1 breeding ground for all sorts of sickness causing bacteria? It’s your kitchen sponge. And every time you use that sponge to wipe down your kitchen counters, table, or appliances, you’re spreading harmful bacteria.

Ideally, you should dispose of a sponge or kitchen cloth after each use, but that can get very costly and few people do so. How often do you replace your sponge? Not as often as you should, I’m willing to bet. And do you ever disinfect it? Dish soap alone isn’t going to do the trick.

Here are a few tips to keep your sponge from making you and your family sick:
  • Place your sponge in the dishwasher every time you run a cycle.

  • Several times a week, wet the sponge and microwave it for 2 minutes.

  • Replace your sponge every two weeks.

Thanks, Janice. I have to admit, I’m guilty of keeping my kitchen sponges until they start to fall apart. These are good tips for keeping those sponges from making us sick. -- AP

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