What's in dish soap?
Dish soaps and detergents can have many different ingredients depending on the manufacturer. They are usually made of surfactants, chemical compounds that break down grease. They also contain enzymes that help break down food residue. They often have added colors, perfumes, dyes, and scrubbing agents. Some dish soaps have ingredients that limit the growth of bacteria.
Dish soap does get rid of germs and viruses
Dish soap's main function is to get grease and food residue off of your dishes. However, dish soap is quite effective at washing germs and viruses off of your dishes too, says Joy Phillips, PhD, research assistant and professor of immunology at San Diego State University. Like hand soap, dish soap does not kill bacteria, but it lifts them off surfaces so that they can be washed away by water.
How does dish soap remove germs?
When you work soap and water into a lather, it helps trap and remove germs and chemicals from the dish. Wetting the dish with clean water before applying soap helps generate better lather. Lather forms pockets (micelles) that trap and remove germs, food residue and grease from the dish. Scrubbing the dish is necessary as it destroys germs and removes them. Soap disrupts the fat, breaks the liquid membrane and destroys the virus.
How to sanitize your dishes effectively
Here are some tips for effectively cleaning your dishes and destroying germs and viruses:
Make sure to sanitize your sponges and replace them often – preferably weekly – to ensure you're not cleaning dishes with something that's already dirty.
If you're washing your dishes by hand, Recommend getting the water temperature as hot as you can. Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin. The hotter the water, the better.
Wash the dishes thoroughly, and don't rush, just as we shouldn't be rushing through general hand washing. Scrub well, be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies of utensils like forks, and clean the entire surface of all dishes and cookware.
If you're looking to be more eco-friendly with your dishwashing, Phillips says using a dishwasher rather than washing by hand is more water-efficient, especially if you are using a newer dishwasher model and running it when the machine is completely full.
The CDC suggests washing your hands after handling used dishes – especially if someone in your household is sick.
Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to cleaning your dishes effectively and keeping yourself and your household healthy.
