Washing dishes in the dishwasher helps fight germs...

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An automatic dishwasher helps fight the spread of germs in the kitchen. It is done with the use of heat, mechanical wash action, and detergent. Some newer models may have a certified "sanitize" option, which assures that 99.99% of bacteria typically found on dishes, glasses, and utensils will be removed during the cycle.

Make sure the water in your dishwasher is hotter than 140 degress F or bacteria can survive. If the water temperature is lower than that, bacteria can spread to other items in the dishwasher. Also, avoid spreading germs back onto clean and sanitized items by remembering to wash your hands prior to unloading the dishwasher.

Soap and Detergent Association
Cleaning Matters
Nov/Dec 2004