We don’t mean this personally, but your kitchen is filthy! Even well-kept households often have build ups of dirt, grease and bacteria – especially in hard-to-reach parts of kitchen appliances and tools you might not think to clean so regularly.
Researchers have found that kitchens are among the places in the home which are the most heavily colonised by bacteria, and where we’re likely to be exposed to the broadest diversity of microbes.
Despite the presence of these unwelcome guests, only 17 per cent of households polled in one survey claimed to clean their fridge monthly or more often – and the same problem of under-cleaning extends to other appliances.
Below are some of the most popular kitchen appliances and their specific vulnerabilities to dirt and germ buildup. We’re here to help, not worry you, so we’ve included expert cleaning tips for each type.
What are the worst offenders?
The fridge
From a microbe’s perspective, your fridge is a vast and varied habitat. From door seals and shelf corners to neglected containers and the food itself, there are all sorts of places for microbial life to flourish. The mix of cool, freezing cold and hot (at the rear) areas throughout these appliances provide ideal living conditions for an assortment of germs.
In one study, illness-causing bacteria from the listeria family were found in 15 per cent of homes, and their favourite spot turned out to be the refrigerator meat drawer. If you’re going to prioritise cleaning one part of the fridge, make it this drawer (and remember you must never store other foods in the same compartment).
“Mix vinegar and water into a solution and wipe this onto your fridge’s shelves and drawers – this will kill any germs and neutralise any lingering odours,” suggests Isabella Forgione, a small appliances expert at AO.
“Wipe this solution onto the door seals too, as dirt and crumbs love to get right into the hidden nooks.”
The oven
According to research from Beko, cleaning the oven is Britain’s most dreaded chore. One in three respondents to the brand’s survey said this is a task they tend to put off – which is unfortunate, given that toxins produced by certain bacteria such as staphylococcus and bacillus cereus can survive the high cooking temperatures inside these appliances.
Forgione would like to reassure you that cleaning your oven – and getting rid of those unwanted germs – is easier than you might think.
“A brilliant little hack is to mix bicarbonate of soda with a dash of water to form a paste. Smear this paste over your oven’s greasy patches, allow this to work its magic overnight, then simply wipe this off with a damp cloth the following day,” she says.
“This will save you buckets of time as the bicarbonate of soda breaks down any stubborn grime without the need for scrubbing.
“You can also douse your oven shelves in your bath with hot water and a scoop of washing powder for a couple of hours, which will allow the grease to lift off far easier.”
The washing machine
You’d hope that a washing machine would be a haven of cleanliness, but these appliances are unfortunately prone to harbouring germs. Their diverse surfaces provide a complex environment for microorganisms, from the rubber door seals (which often harbour mould) to internal components prone to the development of ‘biofilms’ (slimy communities of microbes).
In other words, washing machines can contain a lot of life forms that you wouldn’t necessarily want on your clothes. Thankfully, there are some simple ways to improve your washer’s cleanliness.
“Once a month, run the machine on an empty cycle using the hottest wash setting,” Forgione advises.
“Pour white vinegar into the drum and add bicarbonate of soda to the detergent drawer. This action will clear away any detergent buildup and freshen up the drum, should it have any lingering odours.
“It’s also a good idea to wipe down your washing machine after every wash – focus on the rubber seal around the door and leave this slightly ajar to air the drum,” she says.
The dishwasher
If you want to feel better about your home’s scent, try typing ‘dishwasher smells’ into Google and look at the autocomplete options. My favourite popular query is ‘dishwasher smells like wet dog’.
These appliances do have a tendency to develop nasty odours. It’s usually down to a gradual buildup of food residue, grease or limescale within the dishwasher, resulting in the presence of stench-causing compounds such as dimethyl trisulfide and methanethiol.
Forgione recommends rinsing your dishwasher’s filter frequently to prevent buildups and blockages, as well as giving the appliance a monthly deep clean.
“Empty it before placing a bowl of white vinegar on the top rack, and then run the dishwasher on a hot cycle to cut through grease or limescale,” she says.
“Next, sprinkle a layer of bicarbonate of soda across the base of your dishwasher and run this on a short cycle to deodorise the appliance.”
Food prep and cleaning utensils
They’re not exactly appliances, but it’s well worth noting that some of the utensils we use for food prep and cleaning are potential hotspots for germs and dirt.
Scourers and washing up sponges are some of the worst culprits. Studies have found that these cleaning tools can contain and spread dirt, as well as cleaning it. Viruses and bacteria (some harmless, others pathological) are commonly found in their spongy or fibrous structures.
During use, synthetic sponges and scourers are also prone to shedding microplastics (small particles) which may be toxic and dangerous to long-term health. Some hygiene experts flatly advise against the use of sponges and scourers, due to the potential health risks.
Chopping boards are another danger zone. Ones with a smooth, hard surface are generally the most resistant to dirt or germ buildup, whereas softer boards with a textured surface are more vulnerable. However, as any chopping board becomes scratched or damaged through use, it gets trickier to clean and less hygienic.
You might be tempted to soak it, but it’s generally recommended to wash and scrub a chopping board with very hot water and washing liquid instead. If there are significant scratches or other imperfections in your chopping board, it’s time to replace it.
Cleaning tips and tricks…
How to clean an oven
How to clean a dishwasher
How to clean a BBQ
How to clean a microwave
How to clean a coffee machine
How to clean an air fryer
How to keep your kitchen clean
