An sink with anti-bacterial protection could be one of the best purchases you could make for the health of your family. Shocking new research has revealed that Britain is the dirtiest country in the developed world and that hygiene issues in the kitchen are the culprit. This is despite the fact that two thirds of British people say they are more aware of the importance of hygiene now than last year. The first-of-its-kind study, which swabbed 140 homes from seven countries, revealed that one quarter of UK kitchen cloths harbour E. Coli an indication of faecal contamination. The study also found that 15percent of British sinks have E. Coli present. Professor John Oxford, Chairman of the Hygiene Council and Professor of Virology at St Bartholomews and the Royal London Hospital, Queen Marys School of Medicine and Dentistry said Despite the public receiving more messages about hygiene than ever before, it is clear that there is still a gap between knowledge and practice. To discover E.Coli in so many of the UK kitchens studied is particularly concerning. Dr Lisa Ackerley, member of the UK Hygiene Council and consultant in environmental hygiene, said I admit I was shocked when I reviewed the results of the study. From previous experience, I had expected to encounter E. Coli but not as much as was found. When people use cloths in the kitchen for extended periods, they create a bacterial timebomb that is moist and festers, creating the ideal environment for germs to multiply and be spread around the home. Even more worryingly, its possible for E. Coli to survive on kitchen surfaces for up to 60 days. This is an indication of levels of contamination that could compromise the health of vulnerable family members like children, the elderly and those who are already unwell. The best way to protect your family from bacteria is to clean hygiene hotspots, like taps and kitchen surfaces, on a regular basis with a quality disinfectant or antibacterial cleaner. Dont forget to use an antibacterial cleaner when using a kitchen cloth, and replace your cloths regularly. You could use disposable antibacterial wipes, or soak cloths in disinfectant liquid overnight to kill bugs. If youre using a dirty cloth to clean, then youre not cleaning anything at all. Another ideal way to protect the health of your family is to invest in a sink with anti-bacterial properties that will keep contamination at bay. For example, consider the Franke Fragranite treated with Sanitized sinks - the Maris and Basis ranges or the Schock Cristalite Sinks