Kitchen Bacteria Can Easily Hide on This Common Item

Even if your home looks clean to the naked eye, there are plenty of hidden sources of bacteria. You might not guess it, but the kitchen is likely the dirtiest room in your house, and one common kitchen item in particular could actually be harboring harmful germs that could make you and your family sick.

25 Ways You Are Cleaning Your House Wrong

Many people use a cutting board to cut veggies, herbs and raw meat before cooking them. But when you cut raw meat on a cutting board, you expose that cutting board to germs that could be dangerous to the human body.

NSF International did a study in which it examined many areas in the home to see which had the most bacteria and germs. The study found that 18% of homes had salmonella and E.coli present on the cutting boards. That’s more than even bathroom faucet handles, which came in at 9%.

One way to avoid spreading germs from raw meat while also saving money on cleaning supplies is to have separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables so there is no cross-contamination.

But if you do not have an extra, you should wash your cutting board after every use. The best way to clean your cutting board is to use a sponge and hot, soapy water to hand-wash it, then rinse with cold water and pat dry with a towel. However, if it is a wood cutting board, never immerse it in water.

If you're on a mission to deep-clean your home, don't overlook more of the dirtiest places in your home.