Looking around your kitchen, which area would you guess could be the dirtiest? The dark corner of the pantry? The crevice between your oven and counter? The spinning plate of your microwave? While all of these areas can collect crumbs and sticky spills, the one spot harboring high levels of bacteria is the kitchen sink.

Think about it. Between food particles (some of which could be raw meat) and moisture, it’s an ideal environment for germs to thrive. Here’s why:

• Mold and bacteria grows rapidly in warm, moist environments.
• Washing hands, produce, and dishes can spread dirt and bacteria from food scraps and debris throughout the sink basin.
• There’s more of a chance of harmful pathogens like E.coli, salmonella, and listeria are lingering around the sink drain than the toilet bowl.
• Bacteria from the sink can spread to other surfaces and food items, especially items eaten raw.
• After wiping dirty dishes and prep spaces, some of which may also have come in contact with raw meat, the sponge you use to clean may be the dirtiest tool of all.

So how do you keep this bacterial breeding ground clean?

Properly Cleaning a Dirty Kitchen Sink

One way to help prevent harmful bacteria from contaminating your food and kitchen spaces is to properly clean the sink. A few regular tasks can help keep the area fresher.

• Wipe the sink daily with hot, soapy water.
• Disinfect the area weekly
• Wash sponges in the dishwasher or microwave them for about a minute to sanitize after use.
• Periodically flush the drain with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to help clear grease and buildup.
• Sanitize the faucet handles, soap dispensers, and rinse hoses that get touched often.

Keeping the kitchen sink clean not only helps to keep the area fresh, but it can also help prevent contaminating your food and other areas of your kitchen.