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Next time you reach for an antibacterial cleaner to wipe down your benchtop, you might want to think again.
According to a biomedical scientist at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, antibacterial wipes are a waste of money as germs rapidly recolonise within 20 minutes of cleaning.
“Some bacteria can divide every 20 minutes so it doesn’t take long for one cell to become one million cells – in fact it would only take around 6.6 hours,” Dr Lanyon told The Telegraph.
“The research shows you can quite quickly reestablish bacteria that we have in our homes anyway. You’re never going to get your home sterile and clean – no way – and there are better things to be doing with your time.
She added: “Spend your time cleaning up after food that’s known to be high risk. But on a Sunday, if your kitchen is clean, don’t be cracking out the antibacterials and wiping it down because it’s an absolutely redundant exercise – the minute you walk around the kitchen you’re shedding bacteria and fungi into the area again and it’s just recolonising.”
Dr Lanyon said that a plain bar of soap is more effective at destroying bacteria as it contains ingredients that break down cell walls.
“Personally I don’t waste my time purchasing antibacterial products for the home… Our research found that a lot of antibacterial cleaning products were not as effective as good old fashioned soap and water.”
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