Kan microwave kill bakteria

Medical devices could include common household devices like thermometers and medical masks.

How high the heat needs to be varies with the type of virus or bacteria, but here are some important examples: The CDC shares that Influenza, or flu, viruses are killed by heat higher than degrees Fahrenheit. This basic information about using microwaves to kill germs should give you a good idea whether this is the method you want to use or not.

The short answer is yes, but not evenly and maybe not in the way you think. Professor Stanley Perlman , a coronavirus expert, shares that cooking meat to degrees Fahrenheit will make any coronavirus in the meat inactive. More research is needed to help guide people on this unintended use of household microwaves. The FDA echoes this advice, warning that surgical masks are not meant to be used more than once.

Does microwave kill viruses

They suggest this as a method for sanitizing baby feeding supplies after they have been properly cleaned with soap and water. Anyone who has reheated some leftover lasagna knows that microwaves don't heat evenly. Remember, this will not help with food that is expired or has gone bad; this is a technique you might use for food that could be contaminated. Here's how to do it:. Over time, researchers have learned that it is the heat, not the actual microwaves, that can disinfect an item.

Since your microwave oven produces heat, it's reasonable to assume it could help sanitize or disinfect different items. There's no doubt that heat can help destroy some germs like bacteria and viruses.

Do Microwaves Kill Germs Like Viruses and Bacteria?

This means they don't bring all parts of an item up to the same germ-killing temperature. The Facts About Killing Germs in the Microwave A popular study from by a group of University of Florida professors looked specifically at using a microwave oven to kill the bacteria on a sponge. There are many types of materials that should truly never be microwaved because they can cause fires or small explosions.

A more recent study by Cardinale, M. Other experts suggest the findings of this study were misleading , indicating that the most harmful germs will be inactivated. The appliance can actually damage these thin materials and make them less effective. If you need to sterilize a food or liquid, such as take-out that you may not trust is free of germs, the key is getting it to a uniform temperature that is high enough to kill viruses and bacteria.

Do Microwaves Kill Germs Like Viruses and Bacteria? - LoveToKnow

Unfortunately, there's no standard set of guidelines for exactly how to kill the different types of germs you might be concerned about on foods, medical devices, and other objects. Some parts may be hot enough to kill germs, leaving only parts of an item disinfected. Microwaves were built to heat foods and beverages, so most experts recommend you only use them as directed. Place disassembled items in a microwave steaming system that you've purchased.

The CDC shares previous research that is conflicting in showing exactly if or how household microwaves can be used for medical quality sanitation. Because some studies have shown that microwave sanitation methods using water are effective, the CDC does recommend steaming some items in the microwave as a method of sanitization. Here's what is known so far and how you can use your microwave to kill some germs.

How high the heat needs to be varies with the type of virus or bacteria, but here are some important examples:. Microwaves Do Not Disinfect Evenly Anyone who has reheated some leftover lasagna knows that microwaves don't heat evenly. Microwaves Kill With Heat, Not Actual Microwave Radiation Over time, researchers have learned that it is the heat, not the actual microwaves, that can disinfect an item.

There is no real evidence showing that using a contaminated toothbrush after an illness would recontaminate you, says the CDC. If you don't share your toothbrush and rinse it off after every use, there's no real danger in using your own toothbrush after an illness. Microwaving Objects in Water Because some studies have shown that microwave sanitation methods using water are effective, the CDC does recommend steaming some items in the microwave as a method of sanitization.

If you don't have a steaming system, place items in a glass or ceramic container with a lid. A popular study from by a group of University of Florida professors looked specifically at using a microwave oven to kill the bacteria on a sponge. While the method is suggested for baby bottles, they say it also works for feeding or medicine syringes, medicine cups, and medicine spoons. The CDC warns that microwaving your toothbrush could actually damage it.

Wash items well. Disposable medical masks are made to be used once, like a tissue. Normal cooking methods, like baking, frying, or microwave cooking , do kill bacteria and viruses in foods when all parts of the food are brought to a proper temperature. Can a microwave kill germs like flu viruses, coronaviruses, and harmful bacteria?