Washing dishes properly will help you protect your health and your family's.

Nowadays, everyone cares about their health through their diet, but few people realize that the dishes used to hold food are equally important. "Diseases come from the mouth" - this familiar saying is not only related to food, but also to the hygiene of dishes. Washing dishes seems like a small daily task, but if done incorrectly, you can accidentally bring disaster to your whole family.

1. Overusing dishwashing liquid

Many people think that the more dishwashing liquid they pour, the cleaner the dishes will be. But this is a fatal mistake!

When used too much, dishwashing liquid can easily leave chemical residue on the surface of dishes if not rinsed off. These substances can mix with food, accumulate in the body, harm the digestive system or even lead to long-term health problems such as endocrine disorders.

Solution: Use just enough dishwashing liquid according to the dirtiness of the dishes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water several times to completely remove the residue.

2. Saving too much water when washing

To save money, many people only use a small basin of water: the first time to wash the grease, the second time to rinse with clean water. Although this method is "green" in terms of water, it is "black" in terms of health!

Less water causes the dishwashing liquid to not be diluted and rinsed thoroughly, leaving chemicals on the dishes. Over time, you may accidentally "eat" these toxic substances every day.

Solution: Increase the amount of water just enough to rinse the dishwashing liquid, choose a type of dishwashing liquid that is easy to dissolve, and arrange the dishes from less dirty to more dirty to save money while still being safe.

3. Soaking dishes for too long without washing

Many people like to soak dishes in water to "make washing easier", but this is a "paradise" for bacteria to grow.

Warm, moist water is the ideal condition for bacteria to multiply in just a few hours. Research shows that dishes soaked for more than 10 hours can contain millions of bacteria - which can easily "follow" food into your body.

Solution: Wash dishes immediately after use, or if you have to soak them, do not leave them for more than 1-2 hours and change the water regularly.

4. Using the same dishcloth over and over

Some families use the same dishcloth until it is torn, but do you know how dangerous this is?

Damp, food-stained and greasy rags are where bacteria "settle". One study found that an old rag can contain up to billions of bacteria, including E. coli or Staphylococcus - "killers" that cause intestinal diseases.

Solution: Replace dishcloths once a month, wash and dry after each use, or use several in rotation to ensure hygiene.

5. Moldy wooden chopsticks still used

Many people just wash moldy wooden chopsticks with hot water or dry them in the sun and then use them again, thinking that it's okay. But the truth is not that simple!

Mold on wooden chopsticks can contain aflatoxin - a class 1 carcinogen according to WHO - along with bacteria such as H. pylori. These substances are not easily destroyed by conventional methods and can cause serious harm if accumulated for a long time.

Solution: Replace wooden chopsticks every 3-6 months, keep them dry after washing, and choose high-quality chopsticks to limit mold.

6. Not disinfecting dishes after washing

Many people think that shiny dishes are clean enough, but bacteria are not as "gentle" as you think!

Dishwashing liquid only removes grease, but bacteria can still survive and multiply on moist surfaces. When reused, they can easily enter the body through food, causing diseases ranging from mild diseases such as diarrhea to more severe diseases such as chronic infections.

Solution: Sterilize dishes regularly with boiling water, a sterilizer, or a drying cabinet. Rinse every nook and cranny and dry thoroughly before storing.