Whether you never think of them - or just don't think they need it - there are a whole
bunch of things in your kitchen that you probably never clean.
Some of these items are lurking in the grungiest corners, and some are sitting in plain sight.
So glove up, and gather your cleaning supplies, here are all the things in your kitchen you
never clean - but definitely should!
The coffee maker
You clean up the coffee cups and pot, but how often do you clean the coffee reservoir?
According to a 2011 study by NSF International, the place where you load your coffee can be
home to even more germs than your toilet seat…
Gross.
Try running a cycle using white distilled vinegar to get the inside of your coffee maker
squeaky clean.
"And a half-caff."
"That's me.
Mother of pearl!
That is hot!
Woo!"
Reusable bags
Using your own grocery bags is good for the environment, but you really do need to clean
them.
"These babies are limited wildlife edition.
Some of the money is given to help local beavers to help build their dams."
"Yeah, yeah, just give us the bags."
According to Good Housekeeping, you can just toss fabric bags into the washing machine
- just be sure to choose the right settings based on the material of your bags.
The trash can
While you've likely wiped it down on occasion, the inside of your trash can needs a deep
cleaning of its own.
"Okay, listen to this."
It's not actually that complicated.
Scrubbing the can with hot, soapy water can help keep your garbage smelling a little less
trashy.
"Here ya go."
"What are you doing?"
"You asked me to help!"
Want another trash tip?
President of Molly Maid, Meg Roberts, told Thrillist that storing bags in the bottom
of the can, underneath the bag you're using, is one way to remember to replace the bag.
"You know I love saving money."
"I also love saving money."
"I love you."
That thing in your blender
That little rubber ring around the bottom of your blender is called a gasket.
And according to NSF International in 2013, researchers found blenders to be the third
germiest item in your house.
"It's a blender."
"Yeah.
Exactly."
Salmonella, E. coli, yeast, and mold were found on blender gaskets.
So disassemble and thoroughly clean the blender with hot water and soap every time you use
it so your blender stays clean and you and your family stay healthy.
"You know what?
Mine's not chunky enough.
I'm gonna add some ice."
Yelling and blender noise'
Basically the whole fridge
According to a 2013 study by NSF International, the refrigerator water dispenser was the number
one germiest item in the kitchen - showing the presence of mold and yeast.
Check the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning it, or, according to HuffPost, use
vinegar to sanitize the area.
But don't stop with the water dispenser.
The study also found some refrigerator door seals tested positive for listeria, which
may have been caused by accidental contamination from produce.
And that door handle could also be covered in bacteria.
"Huh?
You pooped in the refrigerator?"
NSF International microbiologist Lisa Yakas told CBS that researchers found E. coli, salmonella,
listeria, and more, within the refrigerator drawers they studied.
Skip the food-borne illness, and deep clean that fridge.
That stinky sink
Melissa Maker, founder of Clean My Space, told Thrillist that if you have flies or a
smelly sink, try pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain, let it sit for an hour, and
then follow it up with white distilled vinegar for a flawless finish.
"What does it look like?"
"Like the inside of your nose!"
"Eew."
But while you're there, you're gonna want to scrub down your entire sink.
"Are you gonna leave this mess in the bottom of my sink?"
"The water?"
"Yes, the little water droplets all over the bottom of my sink!"
According to a 2011 study by NSF International, bacteria was found in nearly half of all sinks
that were tested.
Scrub it well with baking soda and disinfect regularly.
Salt and pepper
If you never really clean your salt and pepper shakers, but notice you get sick a lot, they
could be the culprit.
[sneezes]
According to a 2008 study conducted by the University of Virginia, salt and pepper shakers
are likely carriers of the viruses that can cause the common cold.
To keep yourself and your family healthy, wipe down the salt and pepper shakers every
day - and don't forget to wash your hands.
"Use that soap, boy.
Oooh.
He know how to wash too.
I would eat off them hands."
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