What to Do with Dirty Sponges
Duy 10 cheap dishcloths and 2 buckets. Put the clean cloths in one bucket and the dirty cloths in the other bucket along with some diluted bleach. Wash all the cloths once a week.
More Sanitary Solutions
Sponges actually grow bacteria. But if you simply can’t part with your sponges, run them through the dishwasher once a week. You can also microwave damp sponges for a minute to kill germs. But use extreme caution: Wet the sponge thoroughly, and use tongs to take it out of the microwave.
Keeping a Safer Kitchen
Here are a few more simple steps for keeping yourself safe from common illness-causing bacteria:
Get a meat thermometer.
Add extra cilantro.
Toss the “3-second rule.”
The Green That Protects Your Tummy
Any fan of Mexican food is familiar with cilantro. But here’s something you may not know about it: The pungent green could fend off gut-cramping illness.
Potent compounds in cilantro appear to be quite a match against a strain of salmonella common in food poisoning.
Bacteria Busters
When salmonella invades your gastrointestinal
tract . . . well, we won’t go into graphic detail. Suffice it to say that it can quickly spoil a summer outing! But chopping some cilantro into your pool-party salsa just might keep the dip safer, thanks to the strong antibacterial action of substances in the green. And add extra onions to your salsa for good measure. They help battle salmonella, too.
Food That’s Fit to Eat
Keep your picnic and barbecue foods from turning on you later with these other tips:
Don’t go by looks. Ground beef can be undercooked even if it’s brown.
Wash, wash, and wash again. Wash your hands before you cook, wash fresh produce before preparing, and wash the food prep area when you’re done. And use plain soap and water.
Read Parenting Our Children.
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