Why your trusty disinfecting wipes might actually be making your kitchen dirtier

Disinfecting wipes have been a household staple for over a decade, and their popularity is only growing. However, what many don't realize is that improper use could actually make your kitchen messier, not cleaner.

Yes, you read that correctly.

While disinfecting wipes do work — as research confirms — it also shows that improper use can spread germs across your kitchen, even as you think you're eliminating them.

These essential guidelines will help you decide when you really need antibacterial wipes (spoiler: not always), and if you do, how to use them properly for maximum protection and effectiveness.

Understand the Reason

Ask yourself: Do I need to clean, or do I need to disinfect? A simple wipe-down of kitchen surfaces might be enough after cooking or prepping meals for the day ahead. A heavy-duty disinfecting wipe isn't always necessary.

In fact, bacteria can actually be beneficial. The 'hygiene hypothesis' suggests we need exposure to bacteria to help our bodies stay strong and fight off illnesses. Research even points to bacteria playing a role in preventing asthma in children.

If you just need to clean, rather than disinfect, a damp paper towel, washcloth, or microfiber cloth will do the trick. Dispose of the paper towel, and wash the cloths in hot water with bleach to sanitize any germs they may have picked up.

If your goal is to both remove and kill germs, keep reading.

Use It, Then Toss It

If you decide it's time to kill germs — say, you've spilled raw chicken juices on the counter while cooking — follow the simple rule: use it and toss it. Studies show that these disinfecting wipes effectively kill bacteria on a small area (about one square meter). But if you try to cover a larger space, you're just moving the germs around, not eliminating them. Yikes!

For heavily contaminated or high-traffic kitchen areas (like cutting boards, countertops, or often-touched handles), use one wipe for a three-foot-by-three-foot area, then dispose of it and grab a fresh one.

Pay Attention to the Instructions

To be most effective, some antibacterial wipes require the surface to stay wet for a certain period of time, anywhere from four to even ten minutes. That’s a lot of wipes!

If you're not keeping the surface wet for as long as the manufacturer suggests, you're only moving dirt and food around — not actually disinfecting.

Use Germ-Sweeping Materials, Not Germ-Killers, for Regular Cleaning

When you don’t need to disinfect but just want to clean up in the kitchen, make microfiber cloths your go-to. Research shows the fabric's unique weave helps trap germs, which can then be washed away in hot water with bleach for complete removal.

But remember, the surface area rule still applies. Don't use the same side of the cloth for the entire kitchen. Use multiple cloths, and switch to a fresh side every few feet to avoid spreading germs.