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News & ArtsMonday, October 17, 2011
Health / Housekeeping I Came in to Work This Morning to Find Mold Covering My Tea Mug, and I Desperately Need Your Advice
Posted by Goldy on Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 1:39 PM
1
Got a microwave oven handy? Nuke the damp sponge for a couple minutes, let cool, and use a sanitized sponge on your mug.
3
bathroom and kitchen implements should always always always remain separate. never use the same supplies in your bathroom as your kitchen. and never put things that have been on the floor back on the countertops. (within reason, i mean if you drop a fork or whatever, that's fine but don't wipe up a spill and then put that sponge or towel on the counter to be used for something else before cleaning it, either through the laundry or the microwave.)
4
And jesus, I always thought the filth was pretty much confined to Mudede's cubicle. Why don't you guys start a Chipin for Merry Maids or something.
6
Also, that pic of Keck's eyrie in the profile article looked pretty respectable. Does he have an executive washroom, or does he just pee over the parapet?
7
@3 From a microbial perspective (what else is there), the average american kitchen sink is more dangerous than the toilet.
@ Goldy
Why not rinse out your cup directly after use and not the next day?
@ Goldy
Why not rinse out your cup directly after use and not the next day?
9
It is somewhat about agitating through the use of detergent(the molecular structure/function of all soaps, including dish) and abrasive spongy thing; though if you want to decontaminate & feel all safe, then think P H levels, remember bleach is your friend.
10
@7, not only that, but the single dirtiest object in most homes is the sponge by the kitchen sink. NASTY. Especially if it's left wet. You'd be safer french-kissing a TB patient than using that sponge.
11
well whichever is more dangerous, i vote to keep the kitchen gunk in the kitchen and the bathroom gunk in the bathroom :[
13
Also, for those of you who are thinking that "antibacterial" would help anything, be aware that all current anti-bacterial soaps have no effect on so-called "Gram-negative" bacteria, including many of the worst ones; and in fact one hospital outbreak of serratia (a prolific killer) was traced back to the antibacterial soap dispensers in the operating room: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/64361…
14
Woah wait, while there is good advice here. If it is a bathroom sponge do not use it for cleaning any food/drink vessell. Just not a good idea.
15
The lack of a clean work environment could be an issue you could bring to your shop steward, to address with managemnet. However, the Stranger is apparently anti-union.
16
@13 Good points. The antibiotic in these soaps, triclosan, doesn't really do much against any pathogens, gram negative or positive. In fact there is some evidence that it may fuck with hormone regulation.
BTW, gram-negative is "so-called" because it is negative for the gram stain test (positives have a thicker peptidoglycan cell wall and no outer membrane).
Also, it should be mentioned that Serratia is a genus of which only one species is generally pathogenic, S. marcescens.
BTW, gram-negative is "so-called" because it is negative for the gram stain test (positives have a thicker peptidoglycan cell wall and no outer membrane).
Also, it should be mentioned that Serratia is a genus of which only one species is generally pathogenic, S. marcescens.
17
@16, yes, S. marcescens is what they traced back to the "antibacterial" soap dispenser. The one used by all the surgeons to scrub up with before they cut into your vitals.
18
Goldy,
If it were me, I'd ditch the mug in a toxic waste receptacle stat, then go downstairs to VV and buy a new one.
If it were me, I'd ditch the mug in a toxic waste receptacle stat, then go downstairs to VV and buy a new one.
21
I must say I'm impressed with the hygiene savviness of our readers. Never would have guessed it.
FYI, I used a wadded up paper towel as a makeshift dishrag, and plenty of detergent and hot water. At home, I use dishrags in the kitchen, not sponges, and swap them out daily.
FYI, I used a wadded up paper towel as a makeshift dishrag, and plenty of detergent and hot water. At home, I use dishrags in the kitchen, not sponges, and swap them out daily.
22
@1 - Agreed. Even the most rancid, smelling bacteria-filled sponge is rejuvenated after 20 seconds or so in the microwave. I usually get it moderately wet and wait for the microwave to fill with steam.
I used to throw out my sponges when they turned, but then I found this method.
I used to throw out my sponges when they turned, but then I found this method.
24
According to my understanding, the two dirtiest (aka microbially active) spots in the common house are the kitchen sink drain, and the bottom of the fridge, beneath the 'crisper' drawers.
Microwaving sponges is good. You can boil them. And you can regularly soak them in white vinegar to cut down the bacteria. Although vinegar is certainly no substitute for boiling or bleaching (or burning.. :)
Microwaving sponges is good. You can boil them. And you can regularly soak them in white vinegar to cut down the bacteria. Although vinegar is certainly no substitute for boiling or bleaching (or burning.. :)
25
Can't microwave that sponge, though: it has the plasticky scrubber on one side, which will presumably melt at best. I do enjoy New Office Sponge Day; but it's paper towels-as-dish-rag for me at work on all other days.
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