How Often Should You Wash Your Coffee Mug?

up with new brew. While it seems that the mug would be just fine with such treatment, after all, hot water kills germs and you're the only person who uses your mug, thank you very much, the truth is perhaps more eye opening than the beverages inherent caffeine. A mostly empty mug, left to its own devices, can quickly grow its own microbiome. Of course, most bacteria are harmless, but there are those that aren't. We spoke by email with Melissa Maker, host of the YouTube channel clean my Space.

She said all sorts of germs in bacteria can live on and in your cup, especially if you are in a shared space. Cold and flu germs tend to travel and can easily land honor in your cup. Plus germs from your mouth and hands will also transfer to your cup. The warmer and damper the environment, the more pleasing for bacteria to fester. Indeed, the laundry list of possibilities is daunting.

We also spoke via email with Dr Terry D. Connell, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Buffalo. They said strep staff and any number of resident or transient oral bacteria, which may include potential pathogens, may reside in unwashed cups, and of course, if someone else should drink from one's cup, bacteria from their mouths can be transferred into it. Office environments are particularly conducive to the

spread of bacteria. Dr Childs Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, published research findings back in the Continue to Rock Our Worlds Today. His team assessed bacteria found in office coffee cups and coffee preparation areas, and they discovered that fort of cups tested or contaminated with coliform bacteria otherwise known as vehicle bacteria. And most of the time these bacteria are not harmful to people, but they certainly can be, especially to those with weakened

or compromised immune systems. The kicker Dr Gerba's team found that a small office cup washer sort of like a mini dishwasher was all it took to eradicate these and other types of bacteria. The problem is most people think of simple rinse and wipe is enough to keep germs at bay. However, this approach is definitely not enough to tackle such formidable opponents. Dr Connell said bacteria can adhere to the surface of the cup. Washing with soap is

essential to remove those bacteria. That's why public health officials in England put out a plea back in January for reusable cup users to thoroughly wash receptacles after every single drink to prevent the spread of illness. This was in response to a spike in reusable cup use since the nation started in posing a so called latte tax on disposable cups. Proper cleaning grows even more critical if the coffee in question has been doctored with cream or sugar.

Dr Connell explained both of those substances contain nutrients for bacterial growth. While water washing will remove most of the sugar, the oils and proteins in milk or cream require the use of soap to remove. Soap is what's known as a surfactant. Molecule of soap can grab hold of oily particles at one end and molecules of water at its other end, thus helping dissolve and rinse away even stubborn grime. So here are the easy steps to lessen the germs

in your coffee mug. Wash your cup with soap and water after every use. Wash with a paper towel rather than a shared sponge. Dry the cup with a paper towel. And if your cup has a lid, remember to wash that too. Today's episode was written by Aliyahit and produced by Tyler. Playing brain Stuff is a production of I Heart Radio's How Stuff Works. For more in this and lots of other topics that help you break things down,

visit our home planet how stuff works dot com. And for more podcasts from my heart Radio, visit the I heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.