5 'dirtiest' spots in your kitchen you’re probably forgetting to clean, NYC doc reveals

Your dishes are sparkling, your counters are wiped down, and you've scrubbed every nook and corner of your kitchen. You think your kitchen is clean. But that's not true. Not really! Dr Tania Elliott, a board-certified internal medicine specialist and allergist based in New York, explains the grossest spots in every kitchen. And, interestingly enough, most people never even think to sanitise these areas! Do you? Let’s find out.

When was the last time you cleaned your fridge handle? Last week, month, year? Well, if you can’t really remember when, it speaks for itself. In a video shared on Instagram, Dr Elliott shared a shocking statistic – Americans open their refrigerators an average of 33 times per day. But here comes the truth: no one really wipes them down. Your fridge handle is one of the most frequently touched surfaces in the kitchen, which means it is a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. “Wipe them down once a day.”

Yes, you take out the rubbish every single day. But does your bin stink? Well, that’s your sign that bacteria are thriving inside. “It shouldn’t smell,” Dr Elliott said. Though most people take out the rubbish regularly, they never clean the bin. This leads to food residue, liquids, and organic matter accumulating. The doctor suggests cleaning the bin regularly and checking it once a week, both inside and outside, to see if it smells.

Yes, that’s right. You are using one of the grossest items in your kitchen to scrub your plates. “You can never really get it clean or dry. It's made of plastic and filled with bacteria and mould,” the doctor explained. The solution is to replace your dish sponges frequently. Cleaning them with hot, soapy water and squeezing them dry is one way to maintain them. Also, ensure these sponges are not left sitting wet for long periods of time.

When was the last time you cleaned your kettle? Well, you may only use it to boil water, but it could still be dirty. “Look inside, you're going to find mineral build-up, bacteria, and mould,” Dr Elliott said. Make it a habit to wash your kettle thoroughly after each use. Keep it completely dry.

Now, this is perhaps the most surprising thing. Did you know you are supposed to clean your dishwasher drain? Most people don't even know this area exists! Dr Elliott suggests taking out and cleaning the drain at least once a week. Food particles and debris accumulate in the drain and, if you are washing dishes in it again, imagine – your plates are only becoming dirtier!