While you kick back, nasty bacteria go to work. Here's why you shouldn't soak those dirty dishes.
You’re tired after a long day at work, and you just can’t bear the thought of cleaning all those dishes, pots and pans with all that stuck-on gunk. Cue the debate between letting them soak overnight and getting the chore done before bedtime. (Admittedly, there’s something rather gross about having gunky skillet water splash up at you as you fill your morning tea kettle.)
To find out exactly where leaving your dishes to soak overnight ranks on a scale from “totally fine” to “seriously hazardous,” I consulted a microbiologist and a public health expert. Do they let us off the hook? It’s complicated. Keep reading for the full dirt—and some expert-approved sink sanitizing tips.
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What’s the issue with leaving dirty dishes in the sink?
That humble kitchen sink is teeming with bacteria, especially if you’ve recently been prepping raw chicken or searing a steak. “As a microbiologist, I see the kitchen sink as a haven for microbes and microbial transfer,” says Jason Tetro, author of The Germ Code and The Germ File. “Studies have shown that the kitchen sink is the collection place for different types of unwanted bacteria, including fecal coliforms, foodborne pathogens and even skin bacteria.”
The microbes most commonly found in sinks include E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (a type of staph bacteria). But you can also find salmonella in your sink, especially if you have prep bowls that held raw chicken.
The main reason your sink is a petri dish: The foods we eat often carry bacteria. It’s why we have to cook them to eat them safely.
But part of the reason kitchen sinks are one of the germiest spots in your home is precisely because pots, pans and dishes are left to soak in there. “Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, which is exactly what your sink is when you are soaking dishes,” says Brian Labus, PhD, associate professor in the school of public health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Is a wet soak worse than leaving dry dishes stacked in the sink?
It’s slightly worse to leave your plates in pools of warm, germy water than in a dry stack. After all, warm, moist conditions help bacteria flourish.
On the other hand, a dry sink isn’t great either, Labus notes. “Dry environments might keep bacteria from growing, but that doesn’t mean they can’t survive and grow later,” he says. “And if you have food sitting out, it can attract bugs that can spread bacteria to the rest of your kitchen.”
Can you get sick from this habit?
Leaving bacteria-rich reservoirs of water in your sink can make you sick, for sure. Bacteria like E. coli and salmonella are known for causing food poisoning and giving you GI symptoms, which can be serious and even infect your kidneys. And Staphylococcus aureus can cause nasty skin infections—a particular worry if you’re doing dishes without gloves and have so much as a snagged cuticle or paper cut on your hand.
How exactly do the bacteria make you sick? In most cases, we unintentionally transfer germs to our sponge, hands or water bottle. Bacteria in the sink can easily contaminate nearby surfaces and foods through the dirty water splashing up or from us directly touching it. “If you get a glass of water or fill a pitcher from the faucet and there are dirty dishes soaking, you are much more likely to come in contact with bacteria from those dishes,” Labus says.
And there’s another worry: The more nastiness sitting in your sink, the harder it will be to fully decontaminate the area. “If items are soaking in a pool of harmful bacteria, it makes it more difficult to kill all the bacteria during the cleaning process,” he notes.
So how should you deal with these dirty dishes?
If you have that modern appliance, you might as well use it. It’s really the safest way to clean your dishes, according to our experts. Set to a high or hot setting, a dishwasher ensures your grimy pots, plates and utensils will be completely sanitized and free of harmful germs.
Of course, some dishes, stemware and wooden boards can’t withstand a trip through a dishwasher. No problem, Labus says. Just carefully clean those delicates with hot, soapy water. Let them fully air-dry before putting them away. And don’t forget the final step: “Make sure to clean your sponges, either by putting them in the dishwasher or in the microwave,” Labus says.
Can you safely soak gunky pots and pans for a little while?
Hate to break it to you, but the answer is no. “Much like the five-second rule—which does not exist—there is no minimal soaking time that is safe,” Tetro says.
OK, but if any time is too much time for dirty dishes to sit, what should you do if you can’t drop everything to scrub up? (Some of us want to eat before doing the dishes!)
The fact is, there are times when you just have to let crusty plates sit. Maybe you have kids to get to bed or a dog to walk or a work email to answer—or all three at once. Maybe the food burned onto your pan truly won’t budge without a soak. Don’t sweat it too much, the experts say. Just get to your dishes as soon as you can.
How can you properly clean your sink if you’ve let the dishes sit?
It’s surprisingly easy to disinfect a kitchen sink. “Clean the sink with soapy water, then use an antibacterial spray or one with bleach,” Labus advises. “Don’t immediately rinse the spray off—let it sit on the surface long enough to kill bacteria.”
Check the bottle’s label to find out how long the product should sit. Rinse the spray off, and voila! You’re free to watch some Netflix … and forget you ever heard the words Staphylococcus aureus.
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Sources:
- Brian Labus, PhD, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; email interview, Oct. 29, 2025
- Jason Tetro, microbiologist, author of The Germ Code and The Germ Files, and host of the Super Awesome Science Show podcast; email interview, Oct. 30, 2025
- Journal of Food Protection: “Prevalence of Pathogens and Indicator Organisms in Home Kitchens and Correlation with Unsafe Food Handling Practices and Conditions”
