The nasty details — from E. coli to staph
You wash your dishes after every use, but how often do you wash your kitchen towel? According to new research, probably not enough.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
“Routinely, we don’t wash those towels as often as we do other apparel of daily use around the house,” says infectious disease expert Frank Esper, MD. “Usually those towels can last there for weeks, if not even longer.”
In a new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, researchers collected 100 kitchen towels after one month of use. Results show about half contained bacterial growth such as E. coli and staph.
The study suggests that bacteria found on multi-use kitchen towels from handling meat products could be a source of cross-contamination, which could lead to food poisoning.
Dr. Esper, who did not take part in the study, says bacteria can be hazardous in certain situations. However, these are the type of bacteria that you would expect to find around the house.
Since the kitchen is the place where food is being prepared, it’s very important to keep harmful germs away from food.
Dr. Esper recommends frequently wiping down and sanitizing food preparation areas, especially after preparing uncooked meat.
And don’t forget to clean other parts of the kitchen ― like refrigerator door handles, microwave handles and sink faucets ― because these places are touched by many and are often touched before consuming food.
Folks don’t need to obsess over their kitchen towels, he says, but it’s a good idea to keep them as clean as you can.
“It’s never going to be completely zero-bacteria at all,” he notes. But we should aim for “just a moderate amount of bacteria, making sure that we change the towels, which was the whole subject of the study, but also, swabbing the tables every so often with bleach or some sort of disinfectant.”
So how often is good enough? Dr. Esper says it’s a good idea to wash your kitchen towel at least once a week, if not more. And swap them out once they become soiled.
Learn more about our editorial process.
This puffy shower accessory can become lodged with skin cells (and other gross things), so make sure you dry it daily and clean it once a week
Unfortunately, putting your jeans in the freezer doesn’t kill germs, and it definitely doesn’t get them clean
Care for your ears by steering clear of cotton swabs, taking precautions in loud settings and seeking medical help when needed
Leaving footwear on invites germs, bacteria, toxins and other unwanted guests into your home
Keep cooked rice and pasta in your fridge — not on your counter — to help prevent this sneaky food poisoning
This olive oil-based soap is generally mild and safe when diluted
Some dryers spread germs instead of removing them
Try turning the heat down on the water and opting for a moisturizing soap
Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity
A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses