Have you ever thought that washing dishes, a seemingly inconspicuous daily chore, could hide a "time bomb" that endangers the health of the whole family? Although the saying that "one person washes the dishes, the whole family causes cancer" sounds exaggerated, but if you dig closely, you will find that this is not groundless. Certain bad habits when washing dishes can indeed pose a potential threat to the health of your family. So, what are some of the bad habits of washing dishes that can put us in a health crisis?

Washing dishes, a small daily thing, if not handled properly, can also hide health risks. How many of the following dishwashing misconceptions have you fallen into?

Myth 1: As long as the dishcloth is clean, it can be used all the time

Dishcloths, which we use every day, are actually a breeding ground for bacteria. Research data shows that the number of bacteria on some dishcloths can be as high as billions, even including pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. These bacteria not only affect the cleanliness of the dishes, but they can also enter our bodies through the dishes and pose a threat to health.

Myth 2: Put away the dishes and chopsticks without drying

For convenience, many people put away the dishes and chopsticks directly after washing without drying. However, a humid environment is the best place for mold to grow. In particular, wooden chopsticks are prone to the production of harmful substances such as aflatoxin if they are left wet for a long time. These harmful substances not only affect our physical health, but may also increase the risk of cancer.

Myth 3: Washing dishes saves water

Saving water is a virtue, but if chemicals such as dish soap don't rinse off as a result, it's not worth the cost. If chemicals such as dish soap remain on dishes, long-term ingestion may increase the burden on the liver and pose a potential threat to the health of your family.

Myth 4: Soak the dishes and chopsticks for a long time and then wash them

Some people think that the dishes and chopsticks will be cleaner after soaking them for a long time before washing, but in fact, doing so gives bacteria a chance to multiply. Bacteria can multiply rapidly under the right conditions, so it is best to wash the dishes and chopsticks in time after meals to avoid soaking for a long time. This not only ensures the cleanliness of the dishes, but also reduces the growth of bacteria.

Mistake 5: Stack the dishes after washing

After washing the dishes, many people are used to stacking the dishes and chopsticks together. However, doing so may lead to cross-contamination of bacteria between the dishes and chopsticks. The correct way to do this is to place the dishes and chopsticks in a ventilated and dry place upright to reduce the growth of bacteria. This can not only ensure the hygiene of the tableware, but also prolong the service life of the tableware.

(Source: Popular Science China)