The internet is a weird and wonderful place, especially when it comes to differences in opinions.
Funny, weird, sad (or just downright gross), you're guaranteed to find all sorts of interesting perspectives.
However, some are certainly more unique than others, including this recent post on motherhood forum Mumsnet, about a woman who uses her dishwasher to clean one popular household item... A toilet brush!
"I clean my toilet brush in the dishwasher every few months," the post, written by the user Swizzle007, began.
"I just put the brush and holder in, on their own, on a hot wash and they come out like new. A friend popped by this morning for coffee, and I opened the dishwasher to get out a couple of mugs, forgetting that I had put the toilet items in last night," the woman continued.
"She totally freaked out, saying this is totally disgusting, and re-washed the mugs I had then taken out from the cupboard AND poured boiling water on them before she would allow me to make her coffee!! Was my friend being unreasonable? The mugs and loo bush were washed in separate loads," the post concluded.
Unsurprisingly, the people had some hilarious responses in the comments section, including one person who wrote: "Just take the toilet brush in the bath with you, that's what I do."
Though, most people were pretty unimpressed, including one person who wrote: "I don't care how hygienic it is, just NO."
While another added: "I'm with your friend here. How on earth could you even contemplate putting a toilet brush and holder into your dishwasher?"
On a more serious note, washing toilet brushes in the dishwasher is probably not the healthiest decision, as dishwashers are not hospital-grade steamed sterilizing units. In fact, home appliance brand Whirlpool wrote on their blog that the temperature level of regular home dishwashers is simply not hot enough to adequately sterilize dishes.
"No. To kill microorganisms on dishes, a minimum temperature of 250°F must be maintained for several minutes in order for sterilization to occur. Because this temperature is much higher than most home dishwashers are capable of achieving, running dishes through a sanitize dishwasher setting will not cause sterilization," the blog read.
Whirlpool added that there's a stark difference between sanitization and sterilization: "While sanitization and sterilization are both antimicrobial processes, the degree to which each method kills harmful germs and bacteria varies."
"Most commonly used in professional settings like hospitals and pharmacies, sterilization methods aim to eliminate all traces of bacteria. The sanitizing process aims to lower bacteria. Unlike the sterilization process, sanitization can be achieved through a variety of non-commercial technologies–like those used by your home dishwasher," the post concluded.
So, essentially, the dishwasher will sanitize your dishes, but is definitely not hot enough to kill microorganisms through sterilization - especially the same microorganisms that are responsible for Hepatitis E (which can be found in fecal matter).
Well, I don't know about you, I'll be checking my friend's dishwasher next time I pop over for a cuppa!
