A commonly used household item, which is used to clean dishes and cutlery, may be riddled with more germs than we realise - and could be making you sick, an expert has warned.
Terry Fisher, of property buying service WeBuyAnyHome, has said bacteria can spawn in the most unlikely places - even on your kitchen sponge.
This and other household items can be home to multiple strains, including mould, E. Coli, salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus, according to research.
Mr Fisher said: “Most of us like to think our houses are nice and clean and we do a good job of banishing germs. But the truth is it’s impossible to keep our homes totally free from bacteria and even the most unlikely of everyday items are breeding grounds."
A study in 2016 showed more than 340 different bacteria on some 30 household items - with sponges found to be the most contaminated, with the toothbrush holder in second place. Most people may think they are doing enough to keep their homes germ free, but things we touch regularly can slip through the cracks.
Terry added: “While the usual cleaning tasks such as mopping floors, cleaning showers and wiping surfaces regularly are fairly obvious, items that are used everyday and perhaps haven’t been disinfected for months or even years can be forgotten.
"Household staples such as remote controls, salt and pepper shakers and door handles are used many times per day and we don’t usually think to disinfect them regularly.
“While it can be a difficult task to keep our homes spick and span and keep germs at bay, knowing some of the worst offenders can be half the battle.”
Kitchen sinks, pet bowls and coffee holders were also named in the top five most contaminated household items we touch regularly. Not all bacteria are harmful to the body, but several can contribute to illnesses such as colds, throat infections and fevers, reports My London News.
However, out of all the items in the home dish sponges were crowned the No.1 offender in the 2016 study, with researchers finding bacteria such as Stenotrophomonas, Brevundimonas, Rhizobium and Klebsiella lurking in the cleaning items.
It makes sense too, as we use them to clean other items and then leave them at the sink without washing them. Experts advise heating them in the microwave for one minute then soaking them in a little water with half a teaspoon of concentrated bleach.
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