News: A sponge may not be the most hygienic... (CNN News) - Behind the headlines
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A sponge may not be the most hygienic way to clean dishes, study suggests, but there is an alternative
While not all bacteria are harmful, those that are -- like salmonella -- can spread from sponges to your hands and kitchen surfaces, according to a new study. Those bacteria can make people sick. Another option is more hygienic.
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Research findings and data from the National Library of Medicine
PubMed articles
Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumers
Overall, lower bacterial levels were observed in used brushes than in sponges, and Salmonella died more rapidly in brushes. A common set of non-pathogenic bacteria domina …
Dishwashing sponges and brushes: Consumer practices and bacterial growth and survival
Sponges are frequently used in kitchens and have been shown to harbor large numbers of bacteria, occasionally also pathogens. Less is known about kitchen brushes regardin …
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