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It's fascinating to learn that bacteria can thrive in such an extreme environment, but it also raises concerns about potential health risks, especially in shared spaces where microwave cleaning is often neglected.

How often do you think microwaves should be cleaned to effectively minimize bacterial growth, and what cleaning methods do you find most effective in ensuring they stay hygienic?



Quote from one of the authors:

“A microwave is not a pure, pristine place,” Porcar says. It’s also not a pathogenic reservoir to be feared, he says. But he does recommend cleaning your kitchen microwave often — just as often as you would scrub your kitchen surfaces to eliminate potential bacteria. [1]

So I would not worry too much.

[1] from here: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02553-9

[edit: added source link]


How much does bacteria in a microwave impact the food that is being microwaved? Is there enough aerosolized bacteria in there that it would land on your food with enough effect?


Mere presence of bacteria doesn't mean there's action that needs to be taken.




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