Your Kitchen is Probably a Lot Dirtier Than You Think

When you clean your kitchen, you probably wash the dishes, scrub the stovetop, and wipe down the countertops. But what about the more inconspicuous spots? Do you routinely disinfect the microwave start button? How about the oven handle? If you skip over these less-commonly cleaned areas, you’re not alone—it turns out these are some of the grimiest places in the average kitchen. 

We wondered where germs were lurking in the kitchen, so we consulted with a lab to do some testing and find out where the largest colonies of bacteria are located. The lab tested spots all around the kitchen for CFUs (Colony-Forming Units), a measurement used to estimate the number of living bacterial or fungal cells in a sample. The higher the CFU count, the more germs there are. 

So, where are the danger zones in the average kitchen? The results might surprise you.

Where are the Germs Hiding in Your Kitchen?

Did you know your countertop has 18 times more bacteria than your dog’s food bowl? Our lab compared the average CFU per square inch throughout our kitchens with the averages for other common household surfaces. Surprisingly, our kitchens are probably a lot germier than we’d like to think. 

Even if you use one of the best countertop materials out there, this spot remains one of the dirtiest surfaces in the kitchen. Other grimy contenders include refrigerator handles, which average over 55,200 times more bacteria than a remote control; dishwasher handles, with 1,392 times more bacteria than a child’s hand; and oven handles, with 4,550 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

Are Standard Kitchens Cleaner than Luxury Kitchens?

Kitchens are pretty saturated with bacteria, especially in places we’d never suspect. But are all kitchens created equal? Do the benefits of granite countertops or other high-end appliances include staying cleaner? 

We compared higher-cost and more standard kitchen appliances and found that what you buy does matter, but perhaps not how you’d think. Standard oven handles averaged 97 CFU per square inch. Its higher-end counterpart averaged 1,565,000 CFU per square inch in our study. But when it came to countertops, laminate, a lower-cost material,  averaged about 1 million more CFU per square inch than granite, a higher-cost material. If you’re on the fence and want to prioritize staying germ-free, the cost of granite countertops might be worth it.

The Most Common Bacteria Found in the Kitchen

While the word “bacteria” sounds bad, there are some varieties that are far more worrisome than others. Some—like the dreaded E. coli—are dangerous and can cause serious illness. So, which types are most commonly found in the kitchen?

Our tests found gram-negative rods—which can cause meningitis, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia—are among the most common. Gram-positive cocci (a cause of pneumonia, strep throat, and skin infections) and gram-positive rods (which can cause food poisoning and pneumonia) are also somewhat widespread.

No matter what sort of appliances or countertops you have, keeping them clean is probably high on your list of priorities. To make sure you’re busting the germs, start by learning how to disinfect your home. Clean your area of any loose items and wipe away crumbs or any visible debris. Once your surface is clear, get rid of lurking germs using a disinfectant spray and a reusable cleaning cloth (or a clean sponge). If you’re not confident in your germ-busting abilities or would rather leave it to an expert, find a local house cleaning pro who can help you get the job done right.  No matter how you get your kitchen clean, be sure you’re washing your hands every time you go in and out of this shockingly germy room. 

Methodology 

We swabbed 30 surfaces in home kitchens for bacteria: three basic microwaves, three luxury microwaves, three high-end countertops, three standard countertops, three high-end refrigerator handles, three standard refrigerator handles, three luxury oven handles, three basic oven handles, three luxury dishwasher handles and three standard dishwasher handles.

EmLab P&K, performed all laboratory testing in 2016. The numbers presented are an average of all like samples that were taken.