Counters and bacteria

[Tumbleweed]

I ran across this at....

www.keidel.com/design/select/tops-matl-laminates.htm

Bacteria Resistance
A recent study conducted by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based organization that develops educational materials and research for the retail food industry measured the bacteria-resistance capacity of six common counter-top materials.

Each surface was contaminated with E. coli (nearly 2 billion of the microorganisms), washed and rinsed with soap and water and then sanitized with a vinegar-and-water solution. The results are shown below.

Surface Microorganisms.....Eliminated by Cleaning
Stainless Steel...................85,113,804
Granite.............................79,432,823
Laminate.................... ..........498,884
Ceramic Tile...........................293,765
Concrete................................ 32,810
Wood...................................... 2,080

I knew it! I knew butcher block would be a bacteria magnet. I've always hated wood cutting boards for that reason although I never had proof until now. I love my plastic cutting board even more now! LOL

[misty]

sponges are teeming with bacteria too. You should put your wet sponge in the microwave on high & "cook" it for 30 seconds--1 minute each day to kill bacteria. Don't bleach them because Bleach will destroy the sponge. Replace your sponge with a new one often.

[Tumbleweed]

Your right. The more porous something is the more bacteria it will harbor. I use those really thin sponges but they don't fall apart using bleach on them and they bleach very well. I also zap them in the micro-wave every day. I will not go back to using cloth dish rags. I totally love my thin sponges because one side acts like a squeegee and the other side is great for scrubbing. Makes for shining up appliances and faucets a breeze (no drying needed).