10 Kitchen Habits That Are Low-Key Disgusting

You might think your kitchen is squeaky clean, but some everyday habits are sneakily spreading germs. These common mistakes can turn your kitchen into a hotspot for bacteria, from using your sponge too much to ignoring fridge handles. They don’t look gross at first—but they add up fast.

In this list, we’ll walk through the kitchen routines that seem harmless but are actually pretty nasty. The good news? They're easy to fix once you know what to watch for.

1. Using the Same Sponge for Everything

That sponge by your sink might seem handy, but it can spread more germs than it cleans. If you're wiping counters, dishes, and spills with the same sponge, you're likely moving bacteria from one place to another. Sponges are often damp and full of crumbs—perfect for growing germs.

Try using different cloths or scrubbers for each job, like one for dishes and another for counters. And remember to sanitize your sponge daily or swap it out regularly.

2. Forgetting to Clean the Can Opener

It’s easy to forget, but openers can get messy fast. When you open a can, bits of food and liquid can stick to the blade or handle. If you don’t wash them, those bits can grow mold or bacteria, ending in your next meal.

Wash your manual or electric can opener after every use, just like you would a knife or spoon. A quick scrub with hot, soapy water goes a long way.

3. Not Washing Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable grocery bags are great for the environment but not so great if you never clean them. They carry everything from raw meat to dirty produce and can pick up spills or germs along the way. If you toss them back in your car without washing them, you always bring bacteria back into your kitchen.

Throw cloth bags into the washing machine every week or two. If you use plastic or insulated ones, wipe them down with a disinfecting cloth.

If you're using Ziplock bags, clean and air dry them before reusing them to keep them sanitary.

4. Storing Leftovers Too Long

Leftovers are great—until they’re not. Leaving them in the fridge too long lets bacteria and mold grow, even if they still look okay. Many people forget what’s in the back of the fridge, and that’s when trouble starts.

Try using labels with dates, and follow the “three-day rule” for most leftovers. When in doubt, toss it out.

5. Using Your Phone While Cooking

It might be tempting to check recipes or reply to texts while cooking, but using your phone in the kitchen can be a germy habit. Phones go everywhere—bathrooms, cars, public places—and carry many bacteria. When you touch your phone and then handle food, you transfer those germs directly to your meal.

If you need to look something up, wash your hands before and after touching your phone. Or better yet, use a voice assistant or prop your phone up and avoid handling it entirely while prepping food.

6. Not Cleaning Under Appliances

When was the last time you looked under your toaster or fridge? Crumbs, grease, and spills collect fast in those hidden spaces. If you never clean them, you invite pests and let bacteria build up in spots you can’t see.

Try to pull out small appliances once a month and give those areas a quick clean. It doesn’t take long, and it keeps your kitchen fresher.

7. Letting Dirty Dishes Sit Overnight

We’ve all been too tired to do dishes, but leaving them in the sink overnight gives germs a chance to grow. Food particles mix with water to create the perfect environment for bacteria.

Even a quick rinse and load into the dishwasher is better than nothing. Making it a habit keeps your sink from turning into a science experiment.

If you really have to leave dirty dishes in the sink, at least scrape off food bits and let them soak in hot, soapy water—just skip soaking your cast iron pans!

8. Ignoring the Fridge Handles

Fridge handles are among the dirtiest spots in the kitchen. You always touch them, often with messy hands while cooking, yet most people don’t think to wipe them down regularly.

Use a disinfecting wipe or cloth at least once a week. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference.

9. Not Washing Produce

Even if you plan to peel your fruits and vegetables, you should still rinse them. Dirt, pesticides, and germs from handling can sit on the surface. When you cut through unwashed produce, those germs get into the part you eat.

A quick rinse under cold water is usually enough. Use a brush or gentle veggie wash for extra cleaning on firmer items.

10. Using Old Cutting Boards

Old cutting boards with deep grooves are a hidden hazard. Those cuts can trap food bits and bacteria even if you wash them well.

Over time, cutting boards—especially plastic and wooden ones—develop deep grooves that can trap food and bacteria. This can happen with most types of boards, except for glass ones, which don’t scratch as easily and are easier to sanitize.

If your board has deep marks or stains that don’t come out, it’s time to replace it. Choose boards made of plastic or glass for easier cleaning, and sanitize them after handling raw meat.

11. Not Deep Cleaning Your Dishwasher (Yes, Really)

Just because your dishwasher cleans dishes doesn't mean it's clean itself. Over time, grease, food particles, and detergent residue build-up, especially on the inside of the door and around the seals. This gunk becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. One common red flag? That funky smell when you open it.

To combat this, give your dishwasher a deep clean at least once a month. Wipe down the door, gasket, and filter, then run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack. Also, after each use, leave the door slightly open to allow air circulation—this helps prevent mold and mildew from forming in that warm, moist environment.

Clean Up Your Act

It's the little habits that often cause the biggest messes. Even if your kitchen looks clean, these small routines can make it dirtier than you think. Changing a few behaviors—like washing your grocery bags or switching up your sponge—can reduce germs.

A few smart swaps and clean-ups can keep your kitchen clean and way less gross. So quickly look at your habits and see where you can tidy up. Your food (and your family) will thank you!