Researchers reveal how frequently a person should wash their office coffee mug and it's alarming

We all have our favorite coffee mugs in the office and try to ensure that no one else uses them. But have you ever thought about how often these mugs need to be washed? Researchers recently revealed that coffee mugs used in offices can be laden with germs or bacteria. They also shared tips on how often they need to be cleaned and the best washing methods, reported My Modern Met.

Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, told Lifehacker that 90% of office mugs have dangerous germs, and 20% have fecal bacteria. This contamination is often due to the use of community sponges and scrub brushes. Therefore, cleaning them in the break room or office kitchen can make things worse. Additionally, Gerba noted that the coffee pot in the break room is already "a germ hot spot."

Experts emphasized not letting milk or sugar sit in the mug for long. Jeffrey Starke, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, explained, "If you leave cream or sugar in your mug over the weekend, that can certainly cause mold to grow." If someone does not want their mugs to be filled with bacteria, Gerba suggested that one should take their coffee mug home and wash it in their dishwasher as often as possible. "The hot temperatures of the wash and heated dry cycle are enough to keep your mug bacteria-free. If you can't take it home, at least wash it with hot water and soap and dry it with a paper towel daily," he said.

There is no definitive answer to how often a coffee mug should be washed, but the best practice is to rinse it after every use. Instead of washing it with a communal sponge, take it home and wash it in the dishwasher daily. While it might not seem practical to take your coffee mug home every day, it's the best way to keep it free from dangerous germs and unwanted diseases.

Coffee is a necessity for many people. A mom shared her tips on managing household expenses and one among them was to advise people to stop wasting money on daily coffee. She wrote, "How to waste $5,000 a year...spend $13.70 on things you don't need. Those daily coffee people buy - boom, $7,000 a year. Add buying your lunch another $7000 per year. $14,000 wasted." Some people agreed with her, but many were critical about it. One person commented, "Yes!" "People don't realize how these little things can add up because they just see the amount on the screen and tap." One mom expressed, "Leave me and my coffees alone. It's my guilty pleasure." Another person shared, "You can be frugal, but don't make life a drag. Think in the long term. If you are 85% frugal, you should be able to have 15% for a treat."