The sponge and the sink are obvious culprits, but new research shows that other everyday kitchen objects can also harbor germs that can cause food borne illnesses or worse.

1. Surprisingly Germy Kitchen Items You Never
Even Thought to Clean
Even the cleanest kitchen has germs.
In a new study from NSF International, a non-profit public health and safety
organization, when 20 families swabbed 14 different kitchen items they
found the following ones contaminated with various combinations of
foodborne illness-causing germs such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria and mold
and yeast. (No wonder that 21 percent of cases of foodborne illness are due
to food consumed in private homes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.) Here are some of the worst germ breeding grounds,
and tips on how to keep them clean.

2.  Knife block
Be honest: when was the last time you cleaned this, if ever?
De-gunk it: Remove the knives, and then turn the block upside down to shake out crumbs.
(You can also use a can of compressed air, like a computer keyboard cleaner.) Wash the block
in hot soapy water and get in the slots with a small brush, like the kind designed to clean
baby bottle nipples. To sanitize, soak the block in a mixture of one gallon of lukewarm tap
water and 1 tablespoon of 5.25 percent household bleach, or just fill the knife slots with the
mixture. Let it sit for one minute, then rinse thoroughly with clean tap water and place upside
down to dry. Avoid germ buildup by washing knives and letting them dry completely before
you put them back in the block.
 Refrigerator vegetable drawer
Salmonella, Listeria, and yeast and mold are partying it up in here with your cukes and
carrots, and a dirty drawer could contaminate new clean veggies you put in there, Lisa Yakas,
a microbiologist and senior project manager at NSF, told CBSNews.com.
De-gunk it: NSF recommends that once a month, you remove the drawer from the fridge and
wash the bin with warm water and a mild detergent. You can get rid of odors with a baking
soda solution (about 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of water). Let everything
dry thoroughly.
 Can opener
Many people use this handy tool every day, but if you toss it back the drawer without a good
cleaning, you maybe exposing your family to bacteria, yeast, and mold.
De-gunk it: It’s especially important to clean the area where the groove meets the can, and
make sure you get rid of all food residue. Even better, buy one that’s dishwasher safe and
wash after each use.
 Food storage containers with rubber seals
You may rinse out your lunch container in the office sink, but these containers can allow
germs to thrive.
De-gunk it: If dishwasher safe, make sure to wash both the container and the lid. If you’re
cleaning by hand, take special care around the seal and any grooves where the cover attaches
to the container.