Why your reusable everyday essentials need more than a quick rinse

详细摘要

Doctors explain what residents should do to keep their reusable essentials hygienic Add as a preferred source on Google Items that come into direct contact with food and drinks…

Doctors explain what residents should do to keep their reusable essentials hygienic

Dubai: Reusable products have become part of everyday life, whether it is carrying a water bottle to work, taking a coffee cup to a cafe, or using cloth bags for grocery shopping. While these habits help reduce reliance on single-use plastics, they also come with a responsibility of keeping these items clean between uses.

Unlike disposable products, reusable bottles, food containers, straws, and shopping bags are used repeatedly, sometimes without being washed as often as they should. Food residue, moisture, and microorganisms can accumulate, particularly around lids, rubber seals, narrow openings, and other areas that are easy to overlook.

Doctors have noted that maintaining good hygiene does not mean relying on strong chemicals or disinfecting everything daily. Consistent washing, thorough drying, and appropriate storage are the foundations of keeping reusable products safe.

Dr. Enna Sondhi, specialist in internal medicine at Prime Medical Centre's Motor City and Barari branches, has bared that one of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that reusable items do not need frequent washing if they contain only water or appear clean.

She has emphasised that water bottles should be washed daily, while coffee cups, food containers, and reusable straws should be cleaned after every use.

"Wash water bottles daily, even if they contain only water. Poor cleaning can allow germs to build up, potentially causing food poisoning with vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps. Avoid repeatedly topping up bottles without washing them. A quick rinse does not replace thorough washing," Sondhi told Gulf News.

She has highlighted the importance of keeping reusable shopping bags clean. They should be washed regularly and immediately after food spills. Residents should maintain separate bags for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods to minimise cross-contamination.

When purchasing reusable products, Sondhi…

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