Think your kitchen towels are harmless? Think again. These seemingly innocent cloths are breeding grounds for nasty bacteria, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus, lurking in every wipe and spill. If you’re not washing them correctly, you might spread germs all over your kitchen, contaminating your hands, counters, and food.
How Kitchen Towels Become a Bacterial Nightmare
Picture this: You just sliced raw chicken, wiped your hands on a towel, then used the same towel to dry dishes. Congratulations, you may have just spread harmful bacteria all over your kitchen. Kitchen towels absorb everything from food residue to moisture, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply.
How to Properly Wash Kitchen Towels Properly
- Use Hot Water & Sanitizing Cycles: Hot water kills microbes effectively. If your towel touched raw meat, eggs, or dairy spills, use the sanitize cycle to eliminate dangerous bacteria.
- Bleach Wisely: Chlorine bleach is a powerhouse against germs but can be harsh on fabrics. Oxygen bleach is a gentler alternative that still keeps towels fresh and free from odors.
- Wash Towels Separately: Never mix kitchen towels with clothing! Wash them with bathroom towels, which also harbor microbes, but keep them away from everyday laundry.
- Wash Often Hand-drying towels: Every few days Cooking and cleaning towels: Immediately after use.
Want a safer kitchen? Keep your towels clean—and use disinfectant wipes for high-risk spills instead of your towels.
