Experts warn of bone infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections if you use this kitchen item

Homeowners are advised to stop using a certain item in the kitchen because it poses a significant health risk.

Experts warn that dishcloths can harbor an alarming number of harmful bacteria.

They say these germs can expose individuals to diarrhea, vomiting, fever and respiratory infections. In severe cases, people can suffer from bone infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections.

Dishcloths are often neglected when it comes to regular washing, unlike other household items. They are usually left on the sink and forgotten until they start to smell.

READ MORE: Time Northern Lights could be visible again this evening in the UK

READ MORE: I flew to a city no one has heard of for £22 from Liverpool and had a ball

However, as the weather warms up, the kitchen becomes an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply. Dr Gareth Nye has issued a new warning advising you not to use dishcloths.

But if you do, he advises you to wash them thoroughly after each use. He also suggests changing them every few months to give them the best chance of staying bacteria-free.

Magnet trade collaborated with Dr Gareth Nye, program manager for medical science, to investigate how many bacteria can be found on dishcloths. They also looked at best practices for cleaning and storing them to eliminate bacteria.

Wipes can carry more bacteria than your toilet

Dr Nye warns that dishcloths carry more bacteria than your toilet. He said: “90% of dishcloths in the UK were found to be heavily contaminated with bacteria, compared to 20% of toilet flush handles. The toilet is better than other areas of the kitchen, such as the kitchen faucet and worktop.

“Again, according to recent studies, around 70% of dishcloths in the UK are infected with over a billion bacteria per 100cm2 of surface. Or, around half a billion for a medium-sized dishcloth.”

Dr. Nye says there are seven types of harmful bacteria on dishcloths that can cause a range of symptoms:

• It’s school – diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa – can lead to respiratory failure, shock and death.

• Salmonella – diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

• Enterobacter – urinary tract infections, respiratory infections.

• Klebsiella – urinary tract infections, respiratory infections.

• Bacillus subtilis – vomiting and diarrhea.

• Staphylococcus aureus – if allowed to enter the blood stream it can cause blood stream infections, pneumonia or bone and joint infections.

“All bacteria can cause very severe infections in patients who are very young or elderly or who have health conditions that make them more prone to infections,” added Dr. Nye.

Dr. Nye recommends avoiding dishcloths

He said: “Bacteria will grow at different rates depending on how wet the cloth is, how it is left and what it comes into contact with during its use. The recommendations are not to use them.

“But if you do, you should wash well after each use and rinse with an antibacterial cleanser every couple of days to kill harboring microbes. You should also change your dishcloth every few months.

“Ideally, you should switch to antibacterial wipes to clean certain surfaces, especially after preparing raw meat or poultry, which are known producers of harmful bacteria.”

How to store your dishcloth to minimize bacterial growth

The expert warns: “A damp cloth left in a warm kitchen provides an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. This is especially likely if traces of food are also present.

“They should be kept dry, away from potential sources of bacteria and laid as flat as possible. Bacteria grew and multiplied in all types of cloths that were crumpled, but bacteria levels were reduced 1,000-fold if the cloths were hung to dry for 24 hours at room temperature.”

How to wash dishcloths to make sure you get rid of bacteria

• Wash the dishcloths on a hot cycle of 90°C

Dr Nye said: “Ideally, to ensure all bacteria is removed, you should wash dishcloths in a washing machine at a suitable high temperature, such as a hot cycle of 90°C . Be sure to check the fiber content of your cloths before washing. , as synthetic varieties won’t withstand high temperatures – so if you haven’t already, invest in natural materials that can withstand a hot wash”

• Make sure all food and dirt is removed

He said: “If washing and sanitizing cloths by hand, make sure all food and dirt has been removed by washing in hot soapy water before sanitizing. After washing, you can disinfect using boiling water or a disinfectant, following the manufacturer’s instructions.”

• Allow cloths to dry completely between cleanings

Dr. Nye advises owners to allow cloths to dry completely between cleanings. Cloths that are not properly dried can continue to harbor bacteria, negating the benefits of cleaning them in the first place.

Dr Nye said: “Giving them a good iron before use is also a quick and effective way to sanitize them as steam is great at killing harmful bacteria.”