Knife block users stunned after realising how dirty they actually are

Germs and bacteria lurk on every surface around your home — some surfaces are more obviously dirty than others.

However, dirt can get into some of the most unexpected places. Even if you think somewhere is clean, it might not be. That’s why one bloke, who posts online as @howdirtyis, has gone viral online for exposing some of the most gruesome places around your home. The hygiene expert tests different surfaces by swabbing them and growing the bacteria in a petri dish.

Recently, one fan asked: “Can you do the slots on a knife block?” To which, he responded by dunking a long swab into one of the holes of a wooden holder before wiping the swab around the dish. He wrote in the caption: “After you clean the knife, you put it in its nice little holder. But how dirty is that hole? Did I phrase that strangely?”

In the video, which has gained more than 33,000 likes, he wrote: “Let’s make it personal,” before putting the dish in storage for a few days. By the time he took it back out, the bacteria had grown to “gross” levels.

TikTok users were left “feeling sick” after they took to the comments to share their disgust. One user said: “I almost regret asking! Thank you,” while another added: “But for real… how are we supposed to clean it AND why have I never even thought to ask??!!! .”

A third commented: “I see a magnetic knife block in your future.” Someone else wrote: “Reasons why I will never buy a knife block ugh.” Wooden knife blocks can harbour bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus due to trapped moisture and food particles. Regular cleaning and drying are essential to minimise bacterial growth, according to Delish.