You think it's clean, but in fact, these 4 dishwashing habits will make everything dirtier. If you don't want to "eat" bacteria, you should stop immediately.

1. Stacking dishes after washing

Many people have the habit of washing dishes and then stacking them together, and when they need to be used, they just take them out. This habit sounds convenient, but in fact, it poses a great risk to health.

A study shows that when dishes are washed and stacked together (instead of neatly placed on the drying rack), a large amount of harmful bacteria will form. The reason is that when placed together, it will prevent the drying process, causing the dishes to be clean but still damp.

To protect your health, after washing, you should put the dishes on a rack or in a cool place to dry completely before using.

2. Not changing dishcloths regularly, even using one for multiple tasks

According to research, each cm² of dishcloths can contain from 150 million to 1.776 billion bacteria, while the number of bacteria on the toilet is only about 30 million. This shows that after a period of use, dishcloths are even dirtier than the toilet.

Inherently, dishcloths are places where all kinds of bacteria from grease, stains and other dirt accumulate when used to wipe tables, stoves, and other surfaces. Dangerous bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus can hide in the cloth and gradually harm your health.

If you continue to use a dishcloth to wipe many things, you are actually washing dishes with a dirty cloth, causing bacteria to accumulate and spread. To avoid this, change your dishcloths regularly and preferably not more than once a month, and wash them thoroughly to keep them clean and safe.

3. Never sterilize dishes

Many people only pay attention to stains or grease on the surface of dishes without knowing that, although they look clean, dishes can actually be full of dangerous bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye.

The outside of dishes looks clean, but that does not mean they meet hygiene standards. Bacteria like to stick to items that are not regularly sterilized, which can easily spread and cause disease.

To protect your family's health, you should sterilize dishes regularly. If you don't have a sterilizer, you can soak dishes in boiling water for about 20 minutes. This will help kill bacteria effectively and ensure hygiene for your family.

4. Soak dishes for too long

Many people have the habit of soaking dishes in water after meals and then washing them late at night. Although it may seem harmless, this habit poses many hygiene and health risks.

It is important to note that bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus often grow at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. And when dishes are soaked in water for a long time, it creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and develop. Not to mention, wooden or bamboo chopsticks are also susceptible to mold in this environment, which is not only unsightly but can also produce carcinogens.