Dishwashing Health Risks: When washing dishes by hand, we can't control the water temperature and pressure. Let's explain how even sparkling dishes can retain dirt.
Is it completely safe to wash dishes by hand?
Why Hand Washing Dishes Is Not Enough: Washing utensils by hand in the kitchen is a relaxing task for many people, especially when you have cooked food yourself. Seeing shining utensils, we feel that they are completely clean. But the truth is a little different. Just being clean does not guarantee actual cleanliness. We often check the utensils by looking at them in the light and are satisfied when we see no stains. But recent studies show that our eyes can deceive us. Utensils may appear clean, but they may harbor invisible dirt and bacteria, which affect our health.
Why do bacteria remain?
The real problem is that when washing dishes by hand, we can't control the water temperature and pressure. The water is only as hot as our skin can tolerate, which is often not enough to completely break down fats and proteins. This is why a thin film often remains on dishes, where bacteria can thrive.
What did the study reveal?
A significant study published in the American Journal of Public Health surveyed over 1,000 locations. It found that handwashing often leaves behind dirt that's invisible to the naked eye. It also revealed that scrubbing and soaking can spread bacteria instead of removing them completely. The choice of soap also matters. We often use the cheapest detergent or whatever is available, but each soap's chemistry is different. Some soaps produce a lot of lather but aren't as effective at breaking down dirt. Instead of cleaning dishes, they simply leave a thin film of dirt on them.
What to keep in mind for dishwasher machines?
Dishwashers, on the other hand, provide better cleaning with higher temperatures, above 60°C, and the right cycle. However, caution is necessary here. Short or quick cycles may not remove all types of dirt. Longer cycles are especially necessary for stains like starch or dirt. If utensils are heavily soiled, such as with dirt, oatmeal, or uncooked food residue, a biofilm can form on them, which can be difficult to remove. In such cases, enzyme detergents are more effective. Another important thing is to keep the dishwasher filter clean. If the filter is dirty, the same dirt can be returned to the dishes.
