File this under “once you hear it, you can’t unhear it”: your kitchen most likely harbors more illness-causing bacteria than your bathroom. Yep, let’s all collectively say ewwwww together!
As gross as it is, it’s true: When the National Science Foundation (NSF), a leading global third-party certification and testing organization, swabbed kitchen and bathroom locations for bacteria and found the prevalence of bacteria to be much higher in the kitchen.
For example, in the NSF study, 27% of toothbrush holders had high levels of bacteria, whereas 75% of kitchen sponges tested were contaminated. Newer research supports these findings, too: a 2019 study found that 95% of dish brushes and 82% of kitchen sinks contained high counts of illness-causing bacteria. Coffee reservoir tanks are another dirty culprit. “Standing water combined with warm temperatures creates ideal breeding conditions,” says Lisa Yakas, Senior Account Manager at NSF.
“[All of] these items become bacterial hotspots because they combine moisture, warmth, and organic matter,” explains Yakas. “Dish sponges retain water and food particles, creating an environment where harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria can multiply rapidly.”
With this in mind, I pulled together a list of the dirtiest kitchen items and the best way to clean them so you can keep bacteria at bay.
Best Kitchen Cleaning Tools on Amazon
- BioGo Biodegradable Kitchen Sponges, 24-Pack, $24 (was $26)
- Eldr Supply Store Bottle Brush, $13
- Yamazaki Home Tower Self-Draining Sponge and Soap Bottle Rack, $32
- John Boos Rectangular Wooden Cutting Board, $124 (was $171)
- Nslll Titanium Cutting Board, Set of 3, $60 (was $70)
- Caffenu Descaling Kit, 2 Bottles, $17
- Cafetto Organic Espresso Machine Cleaner, $27
BioGo Biodegradable Kitchen Sponges, 24-Pack
Amazon
While you can sanitize your sponge by microwaving it or running it through the dishwasher, the safest choice is usually to simply replace it regularly. These biodegradable sponges are among my favorites. I love that they’re made from tree cellulose on one side and coconut husk on the other, so they’re compostable and free of microplastics.
ELDR Supply Store Bottle Brush
Amazon
Similar to your kitchen sponge, replacing your dish brush is the safest way to minimize your exposure to illness-causing bacteria. In fact, one study found that the longer you used a dish brush, the more likely it was to be contaminated with a family of bacteria that includes Salmonella and E.coli. I like the natural materials of this dish brush—again, to limit my microplastics exposure.
Yamazaki Home Tower Sponge and Soap Bottle Rack
Amazon
One way to slow the growth of bacteria is to let your dish brush and sponges dry thoroughly and away from standing water, which is why I recommend a rack like this to keep next to your sink. While I haven’t tested this specific drying rack, I’ve tested (and now own) a dish drying rack from Yamakazi and love it, so I can vouch for the brand’s performance and sturdiness. I also like that this keeps your dishwashing items out of the bottom of the sink, which is another very germy location.
John Boos Rectangular Wooden Cutting Board
Amazon
One study found that half of the cutting boards tested contained foodborne illness-causing bacteria, but the type of cutting board (wood vs. plastic) didn’t matter. This John Boost cutting board has a permanent spot on my kitchen counter. It’s beautiful, and I particularly like that it doesn’t leach microplastics into my food.
Nslll Titanium Cutting Board, Set of 3
Amazon
Some food prep, like raw meat and seafood, is better done on a cutting board that is not wood—for sanitary reasons. But, if you’re like me, and trying to minimize your exposure to microplastics, using a non-plastic cutting board is preferred. Enter these titanium cutting boards, an Amazon favorite that our readers have been loving!
Caffenu Descaling Kit, 2 Bottles
Amazon
While you can DIY a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution to clean your coffee reservoir, sometimes using a ready-made product is simpler. This de-scaling liquid is a favorite of one of our writers. While the product was specifically developed for Nespresso VertuoLine, it is compatible with most other coffee machines.
Cafetto Organic Espresso Machine Cleaner
Amazon
Meant for espresso machines only, this particular cleaning product is NSF-certified as a disinfectant. That means NSF ensures that the product meets strict standards for microbial reduction, so you can feel really good about de-germing your espresso machine with this powder.
