You're Probably Not Cleaning The Filthiest Thing In Your Kitchen Enough
So you’re a clean freak in the kitchen. You scrub the counters daily, you use a magnetic knife strip instead of a knife block, and you even take apart your blender and wash its parts individually every time you use it. But when was the last time you washed your oven mitts?
Not in a while, right?
You’re not alone. Most kitchens in America are home to dirty oven mitts, and as it turns out, these innocent pieces of thermal protection gear could be harboring dangerous bacteria. I took a deep dive inside the world of oven mitts and consulted a food safety expert to get her take. Here’s everything you need to know so you can feel safe about taking a casserole out of the oven again.
The Pathogens In Your Oven Mitts
Bacteria is all around us, and pathogens are no exception. According to Janilyn Hutchings, Certified Professional in Food Safety, it is “normal” for pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli to exist in raw chicken and red meat. “Your kitchen is likely exposed to… these, plus more,” Hutchings says.
Since pathogens are spread through physical contact, all that bacteria always has the potential to attach itself to (and grow on) whatever surface it touches, whether that’s a refrigerator door, a dish sponge, or an oven mitt. If these surfaces aren’t regularly cleaned and sanitized, they could become dangerous breeding grounds for that bacteria.
This all sounds very theoretical, so you might be wondering if there's any hard evidence that it applies to oven mitts? Well, yes.
In 2002, a study found high levels of pathogens in both oven mitts and potholders, including Coliform, Bacillus cereus, and certain species of Pseudomonas. Even more disturbing, the pathogens were found on the inside as well as the outside of the mitts, meaning that the mitts would automatically contaminate any hands that used them, which could, in turn, transfer that dangerous bacteria to other food in the kitchen.
Other Dangers of Dirty Oven Mitts
If dangerous bacteria weren't scary enough, there are other issues to consider. Dirty oven mitts can also hold onto and spread food allergens, such as gluten in wheat flour, which can be dangerous to anyone who's allergic.
“Even just traces of food allergens can cause a reaction in an allergic person,” Hutchings shares. Also, oven mitts with any type of grease or fat spilled on them may become a fire hazard if they’re ever near an open flame. If you’re like me, your oven mitts are constantly sitting next to the stove, so this can be a big risk!
Do A Clean Sweep
Don't panic. There’s an easy solution to all these potential issues: washing your oven mitts regularly.
As a general rule of thumb, Hutchings says you should “throw them in with the towels each time you do laundry.” Once every 7-10 days should be frequent enough. Of course, if they’re visibly dirty because something spilled on them, you’ll want to throw them in the wash right away.
Don’t have a replacement oven mitt? Don’t let that deter you from throwing it in the laundry hamper immediately. You can always use a clean folded kitchen towel as an oven mitt or potholder in a pinch. A kitchen towel is just as good as an oven mitt when you’re dealing with hot pans in the kitchen. Honestly? It might be even better.
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