It is said that dishwashers have become popular, but there are still many households that use scrubbers when washing dishes. However, it is said that more than 1 billion bacteria live in this scrubber used to clean dishes. This is a large amount that can only be found in the feces.
Researchers at Norfima, a Norwegian food research institute recently introduced to the US National Institute of Health, said, “One loofah used in an ordinary household contains more bacteria than the population of the earth.” There are various bacteria in scrubbers, but Salmonella, which is the main cause of food poisoning, and Moraxella osloensis, which is at risk of infection to people with weak immune systems, have also been found.
This is because moisture remains on the scrubber, and even a little bit of food residue accumulates and becomes food for bacteria, causing rapid proliferation. Especially in the hot and humid summer like these days, the reproduction of loofah germs and bacteria can reach its peak.
According to the researchers, kitchen scrubbers harbor more bacteria than brushes. Salmonella and other bacteria also grow better on scouring pads than on brushes. This is because there are many fine holes in the scrubber and there is no blade to dry.
“Not all bacteria are harmful, but harmful bacteria메이저사이트 like salmonella can spread from scrubbers to hands, kitchen surfaces and utensils and make people sick,” explains Dr Trond Meuretru.
Moreover, the researchers published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology), there was no significant difference in hygiene even if the loofah was frequently cleaned or rinsed and dried. This means that no matter how you take care of your scrubbing brush, there are still plenty of bacteria.
The researchers collected used loofahs and brushes from 20 Portuguese and 35 Norwegian households and examined how much bacteria were in them. Most European countries use loofahs a lot, but only two countries, Norway and Denmark, use brushes rather than loofahs.
Salmonella bacteria were added to these brushes and scrubbers and then dried to observe their fertility. As a result, it was confirmed that Salmonella levels were significantly reduced in brushes dried overnight. However, loofahs dried under the same conditions did not reduce bacterial counts. Rinsing the loofah frequently and drying it well does not reduce the number of bacteria.
Therefore, the research team recommended using a brush rather than a loofah when considering hygiene. Because the brush dries faster, it also helps kill harmful bacteria. Also, most brushes have handles so you don’t have to touch the cleaning area right away.
The best way to maintain a hygienic sponge is to replace it once every 1-2 weeks. You can extend the use period by using bleach or vinegar, but it only slows down the growth of bacteria. When choosing a scrub brush, choose a thin one so that it dries quickly.
Bathroom shower balls (including sponges) with many holes like loofahs are easy to breed bacteria for the same reason. Since dead skin cells remain in the shower ball without being washed off, the more you use it, the more you rub dead skin cells and germs back into your body.
Dermatologists say, “The shower ball is full of dead skin cells and bacteria, which rubbing can cause skin infections. Most bathrooms are warm and humid, and the shower ball never dries out, so it’s the best breeding ground for bacteria.” mouthed together
The bathroom shower ball should be dried as much as possible and hung in a cool place to dry. Also, do not use it on the face or genital area. Experts suggest that it is desirable to replace it at least once a month, and that it is necessary to wash it with bleach once a week.