Dishwasher Safety to Prevent Illnesses
Did you know that dishwashers use less water than if you were to wash your dishes by hand? They also help you save time and energy and leave your dishes spotless. However, not everything is as perfect as it seems, and your dishwasher may make you ill if it is not used correctly.
The dishwasher creates the perfect habitat for bacteria and fungi to thrive with fluctuating temperature conditions, different detergents, and leftover food scraps. These bacteria and fungi can then be transferred onto your dishes and enter the body, causing various illnesses. Some common bacteria and fungi that might be living in your dishwasher are Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Acinetobacter, Candida, Cryptococcus, and Rhodotorula.
The chances of getting severely ill due to your dishwasher are low, and only those people with weaker immune systems are likely to be affected. However, it is still best to know what can be done to keep your dishwasher sufficiently clean.
Here are some tips you can follow to keep your dishwasher clean, running smoothly and efficiently, and avoid spreading of illnesses:
- Run the wash cycle at a temperature between 49°C to 60 °C
- Run the rinse cycle between 82 °C to 88 °C
- Use the appropriate amount of detergent as specified by the manufacturer
- Clean the dishwasher daily and wipe the rubber seal after each cycle
- Do not open the dishwasher when it is still hot and humid to prevent the release of aerosols in the kitchen
A food safety course can be beneficial if you want to learn more about food safety and how to prevent foodborne or kitchen-related illnesses. The Australian Institute of Accreditation offers an excellent Online food safety supervisor course Queensland for you to consider.
