Warning over kitchen item that 'must be disinfected' as it could host E. coli

Research has found that the items we touch daily in our homes can be hosting hundreds of different bacteria's - including troubling diseases salmonella and E. coli.

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A kitchen essential that is typically used to clean items in the home could be riddled with hundreds of different forms of bacteria - and could even make you seriously ill.

Expert Terry Fisher, from property buying service WeBuyAnyHome, says that bacteria can appear in many different places in the home - including your kitchen sponge.

A simple sponge, alongside other kitchen essentials, can be host to things like mould, E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus and salmonella, research has suggested.

Mr Fisher explained: "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 from 2016 showed that more than 340 different bacteria was spotted on around 30 items that can be found around the house - with sponges the most contaminated item.

The toothbrush holder came in second place, with these two unassuming areas both being places where you clean yourself, or other items in the house.

While the majority may think they clean their homes regularly, things that we use to clean, or touch daily, can slip through the cracks on the hygiene scale.

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."

Coffee holders, kitchen sinks and pet bowls made up the rest of the top five of the most contaminated household items that we touch on the daily.

While not all bacteria is harmful to humans, several strains can lead to common colds, flus, infections and fevers.

Out of all the items that were tested in this study, the dish sponge was crowned the worst offender, as scientists found bacteria such as Stenotrophomonas, Brevundimonas, Rhizobium and Klebsiella lurking in the cleaning item.

While this does make sense, as we use it to clean basically every piece of cutlery and dish without cleaning it off, it shouldn't be this way.

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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