The 9 Dirtiest Spots in Your Kitchen

modern blue kitchen with island and open shelving

For many families the kitchen is considered the heart of the home, meaning it is often also often the dirtiest. While there are some areas and appliances you likely clean routinely, some of the dirtiest nooks and crannies of your kitchen may go unnoticed, such as the faucet you touch after cutting up chicken or the spices you grab in the middle of cooking.

Maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen is essential for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring a safe and healthy environment. To keep your space clean, we’re sharing some spots in your kitchen that experts say are actually the dirtiest.

Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, a professional cleaning company that offers its services both residentially and commercially.
Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean, a manufacturer of green cleaning supplies and provider of in-home cleaning services.

01 of 09

Spice Jars

Spice jars are frequently used with dirty or greasy hands while cooking, which leads to residue build-up on the outside of your jars, says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean. “Keeping the spice jars clean is important as it prevents the spread of germs and cross-contamination and ensures that even the spices remain uncontaminated,” she says.

02 of 09

Refrigerator

Even if you keep your foods and beverages in their original containers, your refrigerator can still become one of the dirtiest areas of your kitchen. “The refrigerator stores a variety of perishable foods that can leak, spill, or spoil, leading to messes and unpleasant odors,” says Sokolowski. Regularly inspect the ingredients in your refrigerator and clean the appliance weekly to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria.

03 of 09

Sponges

Your sponge cleans dirty dishes, so that means it must be clean, right? Unfortunately, using your sponge to clean food off bowls, plates, and other surfaces in your kitchen, like countertops, causes it to get dirty easily. “Regularly cleaning sponges helps to eliminate the spread of bacteria. If you’re using a sponge that’s dirty, it will lessen the effectiveness and will not get what you’re cleaning as clean—it could even make it dirtier,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

04 of 09

Countertops

Countertops can easily become one of the dirtiest areas of your kitchen. “Countertops are the main preparation area in the kitchen, so they often come into contact with food, liquids, or other materials,” says Sokolowski. “Spills, crumbs, and splatters from cooking can accumulate quickly.” Wipe your countertops after every use to prevent the growth of bacteria and minimize the risk of cross-contamination between various items.

05 of 09

Microwave

Even if you only use your microwave a few times a month, it can still be one of the dirtiest appliances in your kitchen. “Food often splatters and spills inside the microwave during heating, leaving residues and food stains,” says Mock. “Keeping the microwave clean is important as it prevents the build-up of food particles and bacteria, ensuring that food heats evenly and remains safe to eat.”

06 of 09

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are used for chopping and slicing various foods, which leads to the accumulation of food residues and juices, says Sokolowski. Clean your cutting boards thoroughly after each use to prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, especially between meat and vegetables.

07 of 09

Plastic Containers

Plastic containers often hold leftover food or store other items that can spill or leak. “Their surfaces can absorb odors and stains,” says Sokolowski. “Keeping your plastic containers clean ensures that the food stored in them remains fresh and uncontaminated. Clean containers also prevent odors from affecting other food stored around them.”

08 of 09

Faucet

Kitchen faucets are one of the highest touchpoints in your kitchen, and they’re often turned on and off with dirty or greasy hands when cooking. What’s more, faucets can get dirty from built-up mineral deposits and residue from soap, says Mock. “Clean faucets reduce the spread of germs and bacteria and ensure that the water used in the kitchen remains clean,” says Sokolowski.

09 of 09

Blender

Blenders can easily get dirty due to their complex design with the blades, removable cups, and small crevices, says Mock. Food particles often get trapped in the nooks and crannies of this appliance, making it difficult to maintain. “Keeping the blender clean prevents the growth of bacteria and mold, ensuring that blended food and beverages are safe to consume,” says Sokolowski. Aim to clean your blender after each use.

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